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Social Media Marketing Facts

Two-thirds (66%) of online Americans say they have purchased a product online, such as
a book, toy, music, or clothing. (Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2008)

Time spent on web sites offering social media features and tools accounted for 24 percent of minutes spent online by U.S. consumers on comScore’s 100 destination web sites as of November 2007. That is compared to three percent in April of 2005. (Piper Jaffrey Co., 2007)

In 2007, social networks are expected to pull in $900 million in advertising. By 2011, that number is expected to reach $2.5 billion, an annual growth rate of 29%. (eMarketer, 2007)

A national survey of 2,796 American adults by Pew Internet last fall asked respondents what sources of information they consulted for assistance with solving problems such as health issues, education and job training, or taxes. They were asked to choose from options that included the internet, face-to-face sources such as friends and family, institutional resources such as a government agency or public library or established media such as newspapers. Fifty-eight percent chose the internet and, of these, 94% felt that they were successful in getting the information and resources they wanted. (Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2008)

Social Media Marketing & Participation

The most important part of marketing your company online in social networks is to "keep it real." Gone are the days of being able in influence people with outlandish promises on a 30-second spot. Consumers have been duped too many times for any of that to continue to work.

The alternative to this of course is to build meaningful relationships with consumers on their own terms. Building a useful facebook application for editing photos might not make a camera company a lot of money on the surface, but it might help build loyalty with their brand that actually translates into sales when a consumer visits Target or Wal-Mart.

Below is a list of a few social networks that I am an active member of. If you have never visited any of these sites, you should definitely check them out.

Facebook - My Profile

"Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet."

Facebook Statistics: Facebook maintains a 85 percent market share amongst college students. The site has the number one photo sharing application on the Internet according to comScore and boasts over 68 million active users. Facebook has been averaging 250,000 new registrations per day since Jan. 2007.

MySpace - My Profile

MySpace is the world's largest social network with over 300 million accounts. It is popular among all age ranges, but dominates in the 26-35 year-old demographic.

MySpace Statistics: In the U.S. alone, MySpace has over 70 million active monthly users, meaning that nearly one in four Americans used MySpace last month. Globally, the site has over 270 million active users.

MySpace currently has localized communities in 18 countries and 7 languages including France, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, Austria, Latin America and the United Kingdom.

LinkedIn - My Profile

Linkedin is networking for business professionals. The social network boasts more than 19 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries.

Linkedin Statistics: Linkedin has 19 million registered users, three-quarters of a million of them are senior level executives at their respective companies. The site is growing by 1 million members per month. The average user is 41-years-old and has a household income of $109,000.

YFly - My Profile

YFly is an entertainment-based social network co-founded by Nick Lachey. "The mission is to provide Gen Y with an excellent social platform for the most entertaining experience online."

Gooruze - My Profile

Gooruze is ranked advice community for online marketing professionals. The Gooruze difference is dedicated, ranked, quality information. The content is created by members who share real online marketing experiences and insights in the form of articles, answers and news.