Survey Results
A Silent Majority
In the last issue, we asked readers about their experiences with social networking sites. We discovered that while most readers report belonging to one or more of these sites, only a minority of them actually use their accounts. Only occasionally did readers express doubt about their technological prowess. Rather, it seems they are uncertain about the value of social networking to their businesses or just haven’t had time. Whether the explosive growth sites like Twitter have seen in the past year is a fad or a long-term trend remains to be seen, but given that most readers reported plans to expand their online social networking activities, we’re betting it’s here to stay. To learn more, read on.
1. To what online social networks do you belong?
(Respondents could select more than one answer.)
Twitter 56%
Facebook 48%
None 27%
Other 18%
LinkedIn 11%
MySpace 9%
2. How do you use the online social network(s)?
Do not use 52%
Both for business and personal use 33%
For business only 8%
For personal use only 7%
3. How would you most likely use social networking sites for your business?
(Respondents could select more than one answer.)
Announce new products 100%
Promote sales and events 94%
Blog about products, trends in education or child development 83%
Post pictures of store 29%
4. Do you think online social networking will help small retailers be more competitive?
Not sure 85%
Yes 15%
5. Do you plan to expand your online social networking in the future?
Yes, for both business and personal use 42%
No 29%
Yes, for business 29%
Yes, for personal use 0%
6. If you don’t use online social network sites for business, why not?
(Respondents could select more than one answer.)
Don’t have time to maintain it 54%
It won’t be seen by the right people 43%
It won’t be seen by enough people 26%
Don’t know how to get started 7%
Readers also told us:
“I hired a local college grad who was leaps and bounds beyond my tech savvy level to set up all of these profiles for me. Now I just maintain them. (Which is a lot!) It’s a lot of work and time but it seems to be a win/win so far.” |
