Tweet, Blog, Update Your Status or Upload a Video: Discover the Power of Today’s Social Media

By NAWBO Publications
May 13

Social Media is the latest marketing technique in corporate America. NAWBO national is now an active player. And so are NAWBO chapters, board members and members from across the country. These groups and individuals realize the growing power of today’s social media sites—from Facebook and LinkedIn to YouTube and Twitter—and are using them to communicate with targeted audiences in meaningful ways.

If you’re not familiar with social media, aren’t sure if it’s for you and your business or just don’t know where to begin, here are some valuable facts and advice you need to know:

What is it?

Wikipedia describes social media as “information content created by people using highly accessible and scalable publishing technologies. At its most basic sense, social media is a shift in how people discover, read and share news, information and content. It’s a fusion of sociology and technology, transforming monologue (one to many) into dialogue (many to many) and is the democratization of information, transforming people from content readers into publishers.” Businesses often refer to social media as user-generated content (UGC) or consumer-generated media (CGM).

Why use it?

According to the 2008 Cone Business in Social Media Study, almost 60 percent of Americans now interact with companies on a social media Web site, and 25 percent interact more than once per week. Moreover, 93 percent of Americans believe a company should have a presence in social media, while an overwhelming 85 percent believe a company should not only be present, but also interact with its consumers via social media. The survey also reveals that:
• 56 percent feel a stronger connection with and better served by companies when they can interact with them in a social media environment
• 43 percent believe companies should use social networks to solve consumers’ problems
• 41 percent believe companies should use them to solicit feedback on their products and services
•  37 percent believe companies should use these sites to develop new ways for consumers to interact with their brand
• 25 percent believe companies should use them to market to consumers
“The news here is that Americans are eager to deepen their brand relationships through the social media,” says Cone’s Director of New Media Mike Hollywood. “It isn’t an intrusion into their lives, but rather a welcome channel for discussion.”

Where do I begin?

Now that you know what the social media is, it’s time to get started. First, choose a site to try that’s right for your needs. This might be a professional networking site, like LinkedIn or Plaxo, or perhaps one that allows you to connect both personally and professionally, like Facebook or Twitter. Or, you might even consider starting with your own Web site by installing a blogging platform, like Wordpress, and launching your own interactive blog. Once you’ve determined your social media strategy, log on to your targeted site(s) to register and create a profile. Then, begin connecting with others. On Facebook, for instance, look for the NAWBO fan and NAWBO group pages—both can be found through a simple search. Click on “Become a Fan” and “Join Group” and then check back regularly for the latest news and information on NAWBO’s Women’s Business Conference 2009 and much more. Plus, coming soon, you’ll also find NAWBO on Twitter and LinkedIn. It’s really that simple—and will put you well on your way to tapping into the power social media can provide to you and your business.

Demographics of Social Network Users
All adults    35%

Sex
Men    35%
Women    35%

Age
18-24    75%
25-34    57%
35-44    30%
45-54    19%
55-64    10%
65+    7%

Race
White, non-Hispanic    31%
Black, non-Hispanic    43%
Hispanic    48%

Annual Household Income
Less than $30,000    45%
$30,000 - $49,999    38%
$50,000 - $74,999    30%
$75,000 +    31%

Education
Less than high school    43%
High school grad    31%
Some college    41%
College grad    33%
Locale
Urban    34%
Suburban    26%
Rural    23%
Source: Pew Internet Project