Social Networking on the Rise....Retailers Look to Follow

Alert: Social Networking is on the rise! 

According to a recent study by the University of Maryland School of Business, 33% more people are communicating with friends and family in social media this year compared to last year and 53% communicating the same amount as last year.  

Due to the amount of traffic and time being spent on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and other social sites, companies across the board are looking for ways to capitalize on this trend. Retailers are looking to investigate the potential this relatively new channel offers to reach consumers with declining interest in traveling to stores or making purchases. 

Retailers - including Netflix, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut and Kmart - have recently used social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter for promotional campaigns.

Source: "Social Networking May Help Retailers in Downturn"

The value of Twitter for business

Twitter, if implemented correctly, can be a great way for companies to enter the social media realm online and engage consumers.  I have seen it first hand with 3 clients at the digital ad agency I currently work at.  Find "key twitterers" for your target audience, and follow both people that are following them, and the people that the "key twitterers" are following.  If you are targeting Moms, follow people like Martha Stewart, Oprah, Ellen, and then the people associated with them.  If you are targeting sports fans, follow Twitter accounts such as ESPN, FoxSports, etc.  This is allow you to build a Twitter account with a relevant audience, who will be more likely to accept your message, and engage your brand/promotion, etc.