DMA's Social Media Council Releases Social Media Survey

07/21/2009

A recent study by the Direct Marketing Association finds that roughly 60 percent of those surveyed find online social media networking to be a great way to push brand awareness. On June 10, 2009, the DMA’s Social Media Council (SMC) released the findings of this Social Media Survey, the first one they have ever released. This was released in partnership with HeadMix.

Neil O’Keefe, the VP of the Direct Marketing Association, believes that the results of this study will show that there are indeed many benefits to online social media and related business software, both internally and externally. He states that marketers and businesses will be able to benefit together from the results of this survey if they are willing to make use of both direct and digital centered marketing.

The results of this survey do much to help the community truly understand just how important online social media software is to businesses today and specifically how it is being used. Ultimately this will help them gain a better understanding of how internal and external social media strategies may be developed for the future. This survey is believed to be a very realistic glimpse into how corporate decision makers see the effects social media has on business today as over half of those who participated are in upper management positions.

According to Robin Bordoli, the founder of the Direct Marketing Association’s Social Media Council (SMC), the survey included more than 40 percent of the Fortune 100. Based on the survey’s results it can be inferred that most of these companies see social networking software as a crucial compliment to their already existing social media strategy. For the most part they see it as an effective way to enhance workforce teamwork and communication. Another finding by the survey showed that 70 percent of respondents felt the need to be live within the next 18 months as social networking software has proven to increase innovation and improve company culture.

This survey by the SMC works well into their mission to provide an outlet for companies to share their experiences, learn from those more experienced how to most effectively use online social media to promote their brands, and to work their social media marketing campaigns seamlessly into their overall marketing plan.

Ultimately, this survey uncovered the following information:

• Roughly 40% of those who were polled stated that they already have trial online social media programs that are in the works.
• Over 70% of the companies who took part in this survey stated that they are using these networks in order to collaborate.
• About 60% of respondents believe that engaging in online social media networking is an excellent way to build brand awareness.
• Most companies believe that this networking offers the best potential value to their organizations.
• Over 45% think that Internet networking is an excellent way to capture customer insight.

For more insight visit Social Media Marketing Services