"I'm not so sure my clients read blogs or use the Internet," said one of our clients who is a consultant to high level executives. To which we had to pull out some recent research that proves otherwise.
According to an online study from Forbes.com and Gartner, the Internet continues to be the most influential and important source of business information for C-Level executives around the world, at 67%.
Instead of morning coffee and the newspaper, CEOs prefer the 'Net.
This information was brought to our attention by colleague Newt Barret of Content Marketing Today, and quotes a Media Post report. (registration required)
The research shows that “the Internet continues to be the most influential and important source of business information for C-level executives around the world."
Here are highlights from the research as quoted in the MediaPost blog:
- 67% of c-level execs say the Internet is their most important source of business information.
- That’s an increase of 37% since 2004.
- First thing in the morning Internet use is up 22%.
- First thing in the morning newspaper readership is down 11%.
- The Web is more important than any other media source among C-level executives at 41%.
- Senior execs research competitors and industry trends online daily.
This number has increased 37% since 2004. At the same time, C-Level executives, citing newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal as their main source of business information, has decreased 36% since 2004
Before starting the work day, says the report, C-Level executives prefer to access the Web rather than read the newspaper. The number of C-Level executives who prefer the Internet first thing in the morning has increased 22% since 2004, while those who prefer to read the newspaper first thing in the morning has declined 11% over the same time period.
Additionally, the study finds:
* C-Level executives consume media on the Web more than any other medium (TV, Radio, Magazines, Newspapers), at 41%
* More than two in five C-Level executives believe the Web contains the most informative advertising
* Senior executives are increasingly utilizing the Web to find information and shop
* Senior executives are researching their competitors and industry trends online on a daily basis
When executives use the Internet to get information, will they find you? They will if you're blogging about their key topics. So to clients who are still reluctant to adopt new marketing meda such as blogs and other web content, we have to say: "Get in the game! You can't win if you don't play!"
Spending 30-60 minutes on a blog a day isn't a lot of time and it can get you found by the people who need your services.
