Why Social Media?Return on Investment for MWESB Certified Firms

What is Social Media?

What comes up when you think of social media?

“Moral panic is a common reaction to new forms of communication.”1

1. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2009.01474.x/full

What prevents you from using social media?

Lack of time

Knowledge and skills

Finding content

Knowing where to start Which platforms to

use

Privacy issues

Policy

Data

Social media is widespread. In the U.S., social networks and

blogs reach nearly 80% of Internet users and represents the majority of Americans’ time online. 1

Half of all American adults are using social networking sites. 2

“If you plan on still being in business in the next 1-5 years you should embrace social media.” –Kathie England

1. http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/social/2. http://www.pewinternet.org/Media-Mentions/2011/Half-of-American-adults-

use-Facebook- other-social-networks

Treuhaft, S., Glover Blackwell, A., & M. Pastor (2011) America’s Tomorrow: Equity is the Superior Growth Model. Policy Link.

Digital Divide

Age, lack of a high school education, and low household income are the strongest negative predictors of internet usage.1

No major differences in social media usage based on gender, race, or household income.2

1. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Digital-differences2. Ibid

Digital Divide cont.

More than ¼ of online African-Americans (28%) use Twitter, 13% do so on a typical day.1

Non-white adult Internet users have higher rates of using video-sharing sites.2

Rural Internet users are now just as likely as users in urban and suburban areas to have used online video-sharing websites like YouTube.3

1. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Twitter-Use-2012/Findings.aspx 2. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Video-sharing-sites/Report3. Ibid

ROI?

Transparency

Accountability

Visibility

Customer Service

Flexibility

My Story

Good Examples

NASA – Twitter & Instagram

DOT – blog

FCC – blog

CDC – Facebook (anyone remember zombie preparedness?)

Gov. Kitzhaber - Twitter

Homework!

Take social media seriously

Get on and play personally

Think creatively

Think strategy and think policy

Ask questions

Questions?

@ebkcd2

503-477-9221brittany@buildsocialconsulting.comwww.buildsocialconsulting.com

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