Going by the statistics and facts, it is clear that businesses need to invest in social networks, and now is the time to take the initiative to start.
Why Social Networks, and Why Now?
• The internet, and particularly social networks, has made it possible to communicate with friends across the world. Also as the changing face of the internet has become more dynamic, it has put the internet users in control. User generated content on the internet is on the rise. A clear indication is the fact that every minute more than 35 hours of of videos are uploaded on to YouTube (yes 35 hours/minute which equates to 50,400 hours per day…mindboggling isn’t it).
• Blogs have become the most effective means of expression and also a great way to reach out to like minded people. Over 126 million blogs are available on the internet according to BlogPulse. More and more people are joining social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. They are also actively joining forums on social networks and also those created by businesses.
• Social networks help businesses reach out to consumers and gain a better understanding of their target audience. They also help them understand the strong and weak points of a business and offer quicker customer service support.
Businesses need to understand and appreciate the role of social networks in building the trust of their customers. They need to create a stable relationship wherein customers feel free to share their views, complaints and compliments. This also makes them feel valued and helps them better identify with the brand. So if you are a business stakeholder, what are you waiting on?
Photo credit: mollyali
