Social media has been part of the business world for several years now and many companies have incorporated it into their 
overall marketing strategy. For those who aren’t yet using it, the hesitance usually revolves around whether the benefits are worth the effort. And for those who have adapted it, the question is whether they’re using it correctly and effectively. The following statistics shed more light on both of these points.
- 56% of customer tweets are being ignored – Social media is not a one way conversation. While generating quality content for customers and prospects is certainly half the battle, listening to your followers is just as important. Tools like HootSuite and Tweet Deck can help with monitoring mentions and ultimately guide you towards a meaningful and beneficial conversation with consumers.
- Americans spend three times as much time on social media as email – Email usage has been on the decline among all Internet users under the age of 55. Companies that use social networking in addition to their other marketing methods are gaining more visibility to their brand. In essence, Facebook and Twitter posts are the new email campaigns.
- Companies that blog get 55% more web traffic – Fresh and engaging content is great for SEO. Be sure to write about topics that are pertinent to your target audience and less focused on you. By doing so, you’ll establish yourself as an expert and strengthen your chances of being found in search results.
- 64% of consumers trust social media more if the dialogue is open to both positive and negative comments – Negative feedback may occur whether you acknowledge it or not. Rather than trying to hide it, use any criticism as an opportunity to turn a negative into a positive. Followers will appreciate your honesty and will see that you truly care.
- 25% of Facebook users like a brand because they want to receive discounts and promotions – Find ways to make your company’s Facebook page meaningful to your target audience. Provide an incentive for becoming a fan, then keep their attention with helpful and entertaining posts that somehow tie into your brand.
Other Insightful Statistics:
- There are more devices connected to the Internet than there are people on Earth (via Top Dog)
- YouTube users watch more than 3 billion hours of video per month (via the Social Skinny)
- The 3 most important reasons small businesses leverage social media are connecting with customers, visibility, and self-promotion (via Social Media Explorer)
- Facebook posts that include questions tend to get more comments, but fewer shares and likes (via Unbounce)
- The Number of Americans Following a Brand in Social Media Has Doubled Since 2010 (via Business 2 Community)
