Is Your Business Disappointing the 93% of Consumers Expecting You In Social Networks?

Your business might be missing out on the majority of consumers who are expecting to find your company in social media networks and furthermore expecting to interact with you there.  A new research study just conducted two weeks ago from Cone reveals that if your company does not have a social media presence online, you are missing out on the 93% of Americans who believe you should, and the 85% of Americans who are expecting to interact with your company through social media.

Companies like Corp. Social Networking are allowing businesses that are savvy enough to realize that having no social media presence is not only passing on a marketing opportunity, but literally leaving the 93% of consumers expecting them to be there disappointed.

The study entitled: 2008 Business in Social Media Study, should shatter any doubts whether corporate social media interaction is necessary, revealing that 60% of Americans are now interacting with companies using social media and one in four are interacting more than once a week.

Customer satisfaction is also now proven to be higher for businesses with a social media presence as the study reveals that 56% of consumers feel a stronger connection with and better served by companies when they interact through social media.

Mike Hollywood, director of new media for Cone commented on the study results. “The news here is that Americans are eager to deepen their brand relationships through social media. It isn’t an intrusion into their lives, but rather a welcome channel for discussion.”

More numbers from the Cone study reveal that Consumers believe:

• Companies should use social networks to solve their problems (43%).
• Companies should solicit feedback on their products and services (41%) via social media.
• Companies should develop new ways for consumers to interact with their brand (37%) through social media.
• Companies should market to consumers (25%) using social media.

The Cone study was conducted online September 11-12 2008 and surveyed 1,092 adults. 

It also showed that the most lucrative higher-income households are expecting social media interaction with companies they do business with. Households with incomes of $75K+ believe that companies should seek to reach them via social media and two-thirds of the wealthiest households say they feel a stronger connection to brands they can interact with online.

What does this mean for your business?

It means that in the hearts and minds of your consumers, social media has gone beyond being a marketing option, and is now considered a marketing necessity.

They are expecting you to be present in social networking communities, to interact with, listen to and engage them in meaningful conversations, and yes, they are also expecting you to market to them there.

Are you going to say “no” to the 93% of consumers expecting you to join the conversation?

Erika
More Social Media On Technology Goddess
Corp. Social Networking 
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