By host on
3/25/2009 6:42 AM
Every now and then there is an item in the press that really makes you stop and think.
A recent article featured in Billboard.biz highlighting a new study from Nielsen showed
an amazing milestone in the way consumers behave online. Among the findings were:
- Active reach, in what Nielsen defines as "member communicates," now exceeds email participation
by 67 percent to 65 percent.
- The reach of social networking and blogging venues is growing at twice the rate of other large
drivers such as portals, email and search.
- Nielsen found that two-thirds of the world's Internet users visited a social networking site in 2008.
All told, social media now accounts for almost 10 percent of the time people spend on the Internet.
- Facebook is leading the pack worldwide, with monthly visits by three out of ten Internet users.
Facebook's greatest growth has come from 35-49 year-olds and it has added twice as many 50-64 year-olds as those under age 18.
What do these findings mean for you? Well...it depends. While more users are flocking to social networking sites, it doesn't necessarily mean traditional websites are becoming obsolete. Rather, it means an aggressive social networking strategy can potentially increase traffic to your website and expand your audiences. Social networking sites can be a great way to increase your audience and are another outlet where you can reach fans who you otherwise might not have been able to connect with online. The growth in social networks
is a great opportunity for expansion if you have the right strategy.
One thing is certain - the times, they are a changin'. Enjoy the ride!
Best,
Michael
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