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Study Shows Social Media Correlates to Financial Performance

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Yesterday, Charlene Li and Wetpaint released a study that ranks the top 100 global brands according to their engagement in social media. The study demonstrates a correlation between social media engagement and financial performance, suggesting that those who are "widely engaged in social media surpass their peers in terms on both revenue and performance."

The report features case studies and tips from four of the best-performing companies: Starbucks, Toyota, SAP and Dell.

Below are five actionable take-aways from the report, helpful for big business and small business alike. The full report is embedded below.

1. Companies that engage in many social media channels tend to experience an exponential increases in engagement. Companies that get involved in many channels quickly learn the cultures of each social media site. This practice helps the company feel more comfortable engaging in less intuitive channels (like Twitter).

2. Social media increases touch points with consumers, creating a ripple effect that boosts brand recognition. For example, a company Facebook page can be shared among thousands of friends. Those friends can share with their friends, increasing brand awareness for the company.

3. Interacting and listening in social media with a customer-oriented mindset can help an organization identify and meet customer needs. Social media is an immediate feedback loop. Give your marketplace a platform to provide feedback so you can improve your products and services to better your business.

4. By developing a process for consistent monitoring of social media, you can provide immediate customer support. Your best business often comes from your current customers. Watch for requests for help -- or even complaints. By providing immediate assistance, you can turn critics into raving fans. 

5. Engaging in social media positively brands your company. Aside from appearing cool and innovative, engaging in social media builds trust with consumers. If they know you listen to feedback and implement consumers' opinions, they will trust you and be more likely to buy your product or services.

The below report can also be found on ENGAGEMENTdb. What other take-aways did you learn?



ENGAGEMENTdb: Most Engaged Brands On Social Media -

Webinar: How to Sell Social Media to Your Boss

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Social media guru Chris Brogan explains how to demonstrate the value of social media marketing.

Download the free webinar to learn how to get your company started with social media.


Posted by Rebecca Corliss on Tue, Jul 21, 2009 @ 07:19 AM

COMMENTS

Not to mention the credibility factor. When i discover a brand has a non existent / limited social media presence i think, "whats wrong with them?".

posted on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 7:49 AM by Laura Ciocia


I'd like to extend on point #3. For years, companies have spent countless resources on expensive focus groups, surveys, etc. It still baffles me that some businesses miss the fact that social media engagement really helps with 'keeping your finger on the pulse' of what's happening in the marketplace.

posted on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 9:02 AM by Dan Ronken


It's about transparency as well. If you start thinking like you owe it to your clients to be there for them, ask for their opinions about your product/service and listen to what they have to say about you you are already one step further in the right direction. And not only for the big brands.  
 
It used to be about branding, the richest player bought the biggest billboards and the prime-time tv-ads.  
 
Nowadays broadcasting is not only possible outside the “Big Fish pond”, it is accessible and rather cheap (I do believe time is money so I will not say free.)  
 
I dare say that in social media small businesses have a small advantage over big corporations: behind them there are real people, thus easier to listen to and talk with.

posted on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 10:14 AM by Ina


this is terrible research . The implication is that participating in social media increases profits . Rather than more profitable companies participate in social media . There is absolutelty no cause and effect here and the implications are misleading .

posted on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 2:43 PM by bshlensky


It is all about transparency .companies have spend count less resources on surveys etc .i dare to say that small business have small business advantage over big corporation. 
==================================Ethan Murray 
ukbettingcentral.com

posted on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 10:52 PM by ukbettingcentral.com


Very interesting post.

posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 at 1:41 PM by Justin


Correlation doesn't imply causation - certainly successful companies are likely to engage in new marketing trends. However, I doubt that social media has made much of an impact on Starbucks' bottom line quite yet ... 
 
http://xkcd.com/552/ 
 

posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 10:15 PM by Dobes Vandermeer


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posted on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 9:43 PM by serenalin


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