The above source is Universal McCann’s Comparative Study on Social Media Trends April 2008. 17,000 respondents in 9 countries
1 = Social Media Market Report 2009 2 = SM Market Report 2009 3 = Market Tools September 2008 4 = Market Tools September 2008 5 = Market Tools September 2008
Many companies lack the dedication required to reach consumers, thinking that if they build it they will come. You have to connect with other platforms, be it your own or other websites. Connecting with other sites and pushing them through to a hubsite can help consumers through the network 2) Dell created a Social Media Resource page for small businesses. They created interest and added value. 3) Example, sears offered a $10 coupon to be used in store. To get the coupon, you had to fill out info on their fan page, so they collected your data and had an instant database. They then sent you the coupon via email. Oh, so now they have your private email, too. They can reach you via facebook or your email, and they have your address and phone. The customer gets a coupon and you get their address. 4) Quantcast Research, and this data grows daily. If the target does not describe your audience, a fan page is not for you. Some brands just cannot grow a large following on Facebook.
Ning, Plaxo, Merchant Circle --- all these sites give you a profile. Qualias lets you post a virtual bio and business card. It helps you get #1 placement for your name on Google and Yaho. Merchant Circle gives you free advertising exposure. Plaxo is like a plain jane Linked In, but growing. Friendster is a lot like Twitter, and in fact, if you are on Twitter, it will post your latest tweets. So one Tweet on Twitter gets you exposure on Friendster. Personal note: I’m on Ning, which lets you create your own social media group. I’m on Friendster and Plaxo. When you type in Donna Jolly my name is all over Google, even though there are other Donna Jolly’s. In January of this year, I was not the first name that came up. Now I’m all over page one. Social Media, and I’m a fairly heavy user, has been my personal SEO.