Social media usage is growing rapidly in South Africa, with over 5 million Internet users representing 10.8% of the population, and 41% of those users on Facebook. While some see social media as just a trend or something that kids use, its impact and reach have grown significantly, with the average Facebook user in South Africa now being 33 years old. Social media provides opportunities to build relationships, generate positive word of mouth, understand competitors better, and engage with others in ways that traditional media does not allow.

1. “The Background and Benefits” By: Rlabs

3. South Africa has about 5,3 million Internet users (10,8% of the population). An estimated 41% of South African Internet users are on Facebook By 2013, Internet penetration in South Africa is expectined to reach 20%

4. Reasons Why People Think Social Media Is Not For Them

5. 1. Its Just a Trend: The first Social Network Emerged almost ten years ago and today billions of people world wide use them

6. 2. Companies can’t control what people are saying: The fact is that they never could. People already talk about your business – social media just makes it easier to hear

7. 3. The only people on the Internet are kids: In the six-month period ending July 2009, Facebook saw a 513% growth in 55 + users The average age of Facebook users in SA is 33 Twitter and YouTube at 31

8. Social media gives you what TV never could - a chance to be engaged and engage others

9. Social Media Allows You To Build Relationships Generate positive word of mouth about your brand or product or service Understand your competitive better

10. More than 1,000,000,000 Where are You?

11. What do you have in your hand?

12. Social Media is About Creating Sharing Engaging Listening

13. Rules of engagement Be clear about your online identity Show interest in others and offer value Build your reputation on a social media site or platform first before start promoting anything Be careful. Don’t say anything that could come back and bite you

14. The end craig@rlabs.org