Social media is one of the easiest, fastest and most influential way to transmit and receive information. According to the infographic below, one out of every seven people on Earth on Facebook. This is a huge number that gives users and businesses both the opportunity to use social media tools to reach out to peers and customers. An infographic by Dashburst and Social Media Today explains that as of January 2013, there were over one billion members subscribed to Facebook and 800 million on YouTube. The best thing about these statistics? Anyone can take advantage of it. Small businesses or large corporations both have the same amount of power when it comes to social media and it’s influence on their customers. One key factor? Businesses must understand how social media is influential in order to keep users interested.
Here are five ways how social media is influential:
1. It’s ubiquitous. Social media is not merely a fad, Google + and Twitter combined have over 500 registered users – and the numbers will continue to grow. We know the time old quote “If all of your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?” Well, this isn’t a bridge it’s a way to socialize and put out/receive information from interests and hobbies. If all of your friends are on Twitter, wouldn’t you want to join too?
2. Social media is time consuming. Sitting in a waiting room? Just plain Bored? Most will turn to their social media accounts. Internet users are spending more and more time each month on different social media sites. According tot he infographic below, each month users spend around 405 minutes on Facebook, 89 minute s on Tumblr and Pinterest and less than 30 minutes on Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
3. It’s habit forming. A recent study of 1,000 people suggests that social media is a part of everyone’s everyday life. 56% of the people surveyed check Facebook daily and 32% of those surveyed check social media during meals.
4. It influences life offline. The infographic below suggests that compared to the average internet user, social media users are more likely to: spend money on music, clothes, shoes and accessories.
5. It helps businesses. 65% of small businesses say that social media helps them stay engaged and connected with customers. Also, 50% of social media users under 35 follow their online friends product and service recommendations.
Source: Social Media Today
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