Why you should use social media for your business

Social media is increasingly the people interact with businesses and with each other.  Over 60 % of Americans used Social media in September of 2008 and the number has grown dramatically since then [Cone 2008].  According to one study, people in the US expect to be able to intereact with companies using social media When asked about specific types of interactions, Americans who use social media believe [Cone 2008]:

• Companies should use social networks to solve my problems (43%)
  
• Companies should solicit feedback on their products and services (41%)
  
• Companies should develop new ways for consumers to interact with their brand (37%)
  
• Companies should market to consumers (25%)

What does that mean for your business?

This means that your potential clients will be expecting you to be using tools like blogs, wikis, and forums on your website (or linked to your website).  They will be looking for your  at social networking Web sites like LinkedIn, MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.

The question you need to ask yourself is: Are you ready to contribute to the social dialog your potential customers are increasingly turning to to discuss products and services?

If you aren't ready, how many my potential clients do you think you are losing to competitors that are engaged with social media?

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References:

Cone Finds That Americans Expect Companies to Have a Presence in Social Media, September 2008, available at: http://www.coneinc.com/content1182

Labels: social media