Are You There Yet?
The numbers are in (via the just-released Nielsen 2010 NZ Social Media Report). This Social Media thingy is catching on. 82% of New Zealand internet users may not have been to paradise but they've been to Facebook.
So what? More than 99% of Kiwis watch television on a regular basis. What's all the fuss about?
IT'S THE CONVERSATION, STUPID
Every business sector is waking up to the fact that consumers are turning for guidance to a whole new range of experts -- each other.
Study after study has shown that consumers trust their friends (and their friends' friends) more than anyone else when it comes to making a purchase decision.
According to Nielsen's new Social Media Report, 1.92 million Kiwis now look to their fellow Internet users for opinions and information about products, services or brands.
Alas, you may have a comprehensive training programme in place for your staff, agents, branches and resellers -- but now there's a whole new constituency to inform, entertain, educate or with whom you now need to interact.
There's a whole lot of talking going on -- much of it happening in the social networks -- and some of it may well be about you, your brands or your products.
In a perfect world, those who are doing the talking would know all about your products and would give wise, totally informed advice to their correspondents.
Unfortunately, that's seldom the case -- many of us feel free to venture an opinion on a subject even if we don't really know the facts. Which is why marketers need to venture forth into the social media space -- preceded if necessary by someone carrying a red lantern and a white flag, warning onlookers of impending newbie behaviour.
IF YOU'RE THERE, THEY WILL TALK TO YOU AS WELL
Consumers will interact socially with brands and their owners if the opportunity arises. 44 percent of Kiwi Twitter users say they have 'followed' companies or brands via the site, according to the Nielsen report. New Zealand companies are also jumping on the Twitter bandwagon, with 30% of marketers saying that their company has established a presence on Twitter.
If you are interested in learning more about digital communications and online media, PRINZ has a range of CPD courses coming up in August and September that will teach you to understand and use a range of digital communication tools to your advantage.
In August we have: Digital Communications (24 Aug) in Auckland.
In September we have:Digital Strategy (9 Sep) in Auckland and Digital Communications (13 Sep) in Wellington. Spaces are limited!
REGISTER HERE
Source: Michael Carney's July issue of Marketing Week.
Sponsors and Suppliers :
