Why Businesses are Turning to Social Media Marketing

Since Web 2.0 arrived as an internet tool, people everywhere have been building both business and personal social connections. It has provided a way for companies and individuals to collaborate on projects as well as share information of mutual interest.

The difference in social media is the personal touch it brings to the table. Contacts are seen as trusted friends more than business giants attempting to procure everyone's money. This is a faith built up or torn down based on the way the social networking is handled by the businesses involved.

How Many Internet Users are Connected?

According to the last such study, 76% of American households have at least one computer. Almost all of those have internet access whether dial up, DSL, or cable. Additionally, computer users have some form of email and the greater majority of those participate on social media websites like FaceBook or MySpace.

Recent polls and surveys indicate that social media marketing is one of the fastest growing tools used in retail. What makes it so attractive to businesses is the fact that it is still developing. Many of the other marketing platforms are reaching their limits for many businesses until technology allows for changes in applications.

Business Concerns Survey Results

In a Constant Contact poll of businesses, those surveyed were asked what factors kept them up at night. At the top of the list of answers was "attracting new customers (80%)," and another 52% stated that finding ways to get customers to refer them was heavy on their minds. Most of those taking the survey had already employed social media marketing or were in the process of doing so.

Based on the poll, 80% of those businesses have increased their social media participation within the last twelve months and 62% will be increasing or beginning to use social media within the next year.

Although numbers can't be totally conclusive, the primary three social media platforms are FaceBook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Over 90% of businesses in the social media circle use FaceBook, and about 80% of those say it does have an influence in marketing campaigns. LinkedIn and Twitter are used in some capacity by almost 60% of businesses interviewed, and most of those believe they gain an edge from using these media platforms.

Don't Forget Videos

Because of the heavy proliferation of videos on the internet, YouTube has a great deal of prominence in social media strategies. People in general will always prefer to view something rather than have to read about it. Videos are easier than ever to make, even by the most casual of camera and computer users.

Unlike some trends in the past, social media marketing as an advertising tool in no way makes other forms of marketing obsolete. In the competitive world of commerce today, every source of attracting clients becomes necessary to keep from losing ground.

Almost every company uses email, and they will continue to do so. Social media is largely inexpensive advertising as is email compared to some other methods, so any business has to accept them both to stay in the game.