[Study] 9 Compelling Benefits for Business Using Social Media

How would you like to benefit from Social Media?

How would you like to increase your brand awareness?

Would you like to make more sales?

Current research is showing the benefits of Social Media, however it is not something you start today and get benefits today. Social Media Marketing takes time and it is showing the cumulative effects if you have a strategy, are committed and consistent.

Let me ask you a question…

Is it better to be an early adopter when it comes to Social Media Marketing?

So many times we tend to hesitate, fail to see the benefits of something and be more of a late adopter. It’s human nature, right?

This stuff moves fast, really really fast. Waiting will put your business and brand at risk for becoming irrelevant. Are you in the game??? Are you giving it your best day in an day out?

The top two benefits of social media marketing are increasing exposure and increasing traffic. A significant 92% of all business marketers indicated that their social media efforts have generated more exposure for their businesses. Increasing traffic was the second major benefit, with 80% reporting positive results.

Most marketers are using social media to develop loyal fans (72%) and gain marketplace intelligence (71%).

Changes since the Social Media Examiner 2013 study:

• Marketers reported increased benefits across all categories since 2013.
• The largest increases were developing loyal fans, which increased to 72% from 65% in 2013.
• Followed by increased sales, which jumped to 50% from 43% in 2013.

IMPROVED SALES

It takes time to develop relationships that lead to sales. However, a large percentage of marketers who take the time find great results.
For example, more than half of business marketers who’ve been using social media for at least 3 years report it has helped them improve sales. More than half who spend 6 or more hours per week find the same results and 74% of those who spend 40+ hours earn new business through their efforts.

INCREASED EXPOSURE

With as little as 6 hours per week, the vast majority of marketers (95%+) indicated their social media efforts increased exposure for their businesses.

Nearly all marketers (93%+) who’ve been employing social media marketing for one year or longer report it generates
exposure for their businesses.

IMPROVED SEARCH RANKINGS

Google is the king of search. In the Internet world in which we live there are 3 Billion+ searches a day just on Google! 97% of the people looking for products and services start there search on the internet.

• How will you be found?
• How will you improve your rankings?

Improved search engine rankings were most prevalent among those who’ve been using social media for one year or longer, with 58%+ reporting a rise.

At least 60% of those investing a minimum of 6 hours per week in social media marketing saw improvements in
search engine rankings.

DEVELOPED LOYAL FANS

B2C marketers (77%) were much more likely to develop a loyal fan base through social media than B2B marketers (64%).
Of those who have been using social media for at least 1 year, 69% found it useful for building a loyal fan base.

Time invested makes a difference. Of those spending at least 6 hours a week, 78% found benefit compared to 56% of those spending 5 hours or fewer per week.

SUMMARY

Social Media is a new way of communicating, engaging and promoting you and your brand. It’s still about relationships, and trust. The dabblers in Social Media Marketing, who start and stop are falling further behind. The committed steady players in the game are the ones who are winning. It’s not too late to start, but once you start you have to go all in. Besides, who wants to be on the losing side of business or life?

What benefits are you seeing using Social Media?

Source: Social Media Examiner

About Blair

Blair Evan Ball is a Social Media Coach and founder of Prepare1, a company that works with businesses, individuals and non-profits.

Blair has written three e-books: Facebook for Business Made Easy, Facebook Pages for Business Made Easy, and WordPress Blog Setup Made Easy.

Blair also educates, trains entrepreneurs and business professionals how to amplify their brand, increase revenues, and raise more funds.

The Race is ON! – Get into the Game and WIN!