Posts Tagged ‘SimmonsFlint Social Media’

GF/EGF survey results: Business use of social media

By Elizabeth Hansen, February 1, 2010

The results are in. Facebook is the #1 used social media platform for business leaders in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks. Number two, LinkedIn.

Our research partner, Prime Contact, conducted a survey with The Chamber of Grand Forks/East Grand Forks. Answers reveal that businesses use social media platforms for personal and business connections. See the detailed results.One of our social media strategists, Libby Issendorf, presented the survey results and her recommendations to a group of Chamber members last month. She’ll repeat that presentation with another group of members in March. (She’ll be in Vancouver, helping our client, the U.S. Speed Skating team, with social media during the Olympic Games!) The meeting space for these sessions can only hold a limited number of attendees, so we’ve summarized her presentation here:

  1. Social media is important to business because it’s where people are.

Organizations must be in the right “media,” and this is it. Yet the messaging and interaction must capitalize on the “social” aspect. This isn’t TV, radio or even a website.

  1. Social media is powerful word-of-mouth marketing.

Done well, social media allows businesses to solve customer service issues, collaborate, build brands and grow their customer base. 

  1. Social media works if you have a plan.

It’s tempting to create a Facebook page—just because you can. Slow down. First, answer some questions. What do you want to accomplish?  Who is in charge of content?  How will you tell people about it? How will you determine its success?

To get social media working for you, contact us.

More on social media

Read Libby’s resolutions
Libby’s social media resolutions are likely different than yours, yet her list may inspire you to dive in.

Crushing the Myth of B2B Social Media
The author of this blog, Jason Baer, is one of the most frequently cited social media experts. He also happens to be our business partner.

How do your customers use social media?
Use this tool to find out. Enter your customer demographic information and it breaks down typical social media usage by age and gender.