Social Media Marketing Industry Report - Blog Use Increasing

The 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report was released yesterday and it's 33 pages of detailed and valuable information for anyone using the Web for their business. Authored by Michale Stelzner and commissioned by Social Media Examiner, the report reveals many insights about who, what, why and how marketers are using social media.

Nearly 1900 people provided valuable insight you won’t find elsewhere. In this free (no opt-in required) report you’ll discover:

    * The top 10 social media questions marketers want answered
    * How much time marketers invest with social media activities
    * The top benefits of social media and how time invested impacts results
    * The most used social media tools
    * Marketers future social media plans
    * And much more!

I was happy to note that blogs are still considered an important marketing tool (not that I EVER doubted it!) and are among the top four social media tools marketers use, with Twitter and Facebook neck and neck at number one.

Blogs are also one of the top areas that marketers plan to focus on using more in their social marketing. With good reason, I might add. As you've read or heard me say many times, your blog should serve as your hub or home base and the social networking sites serve as outposts to connect, share, engage with your connections so you can bring them back home to go deeper and more intimate with you and how you can serve them.

If you're a marketing consultant or a virtual assistant, you'll see there are big opportunities for you. Check out the top questions businesses have about social media and on page 29 of the report and you'll learn how few sole proprietors and small businesses are outsourcing their social marketing. I think it's because they are confused about how to do it and who to hire.

Still not convinced of the value of adding social media to your marketing mix? The top three benefits stated were:

1. Generated greater exposure for their business
2. Increased traffic/subscribers and opt-ins
3. New business partnerships

I highly recommend you download and study the report. You'll learn what the pros are doing, how much time they're spending and the tools that are generating the best results.

If you want more great social marketing tips, check out this article on Social Media Examiner with tips from 12 marketing pros.

Comments

[Fenton Baker]

Just started following you Denise and I think I've hit gold. A really clear article with some great advice - thanks

[Julius]

We are starting to explore Facebook as a means of reaching a wider audience, so this report has arrived in a most appropriate time. Thanks for sharing it!

[Melissa]

I just downloaded the article and read very briefly. Its very interesting to look at the numbers of the charts. This is why I have a heart to learn how to blog effectively.

[Blogetize]

Excellent report, I'm starting to look into how to get my blog out there through social networks and this has really helped me.