Social Media Networks: Still Think They’re a Fad?

The Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that use of social networking sites by adults has quadrupled from 2005 to December 2008. In 2005 only 8% of adults reported having a profile on the social network sites while today that number exceeds 35%. Percentage wise adults still trail the 65% of teenagers with profiles but since the adult population is so much larger the reality is that about 4 times as many adults as teens have a social network profile in place.

Overall, around 100 million Americans of every age have profiles. That’s around a third of the total population with a social network profile. And, considering that the top 10 social media sites as reported by Nielson Online (source: http://mashable.com/2009/01/23/most-popular-social-networks-2008/) draw over 180 million visits a day, I’d say there’s little wonder that Twitter’s been valued at $250 million (growth in 2008; 664%) and apparently offered $500 million (owner’s reportedly politely declined, obviously believe can get more). 

By the Social Network Numbers

Pew reports the following age groups having profiles on social network sites (the question asked is mine):

• 75% of online adults 18-24 <– Are they your audience?
• 57% of online adults 25-34 <– Are they your audience?
• 30% of online adults 35-44 <– Are they your audience?
• 19% of online 45 to 54 <– Are they your audience?
• 10% of online 55 to 64 <– Are they your audience?
• 7% of online adults 65 <– Are they your audience?

The Social Media Gold Rush

Still think that you don’t need to a.) stake your claim on twitter, linkedin, facebook, et al, and b.) shouldn’t be consumed with understanding how to mine social media for connections, opportunities and revenue discovered in the gold filled streams of social media? You will.

Getting Started with Social Media

I ascribe to the Nike Methodology, Just Do It! Go to Facebook and setup a profile. Same with LinkedIn. Same with Twitter. Same with YouTube … and any other social media platform that tickles your fancy or that you’ve heard that your peers, colleagues or customers frequent. Sign up. Follow. Connect. Capitalize. (Social Network Tip: the best way to capitalize is to add value for others already there. Believe me, you’ll get plenty of value back!)

It’s as simple, to get started, as that.

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By the way, if you’re interested in a 3rd party perspective or assistance, give me a call (303.882.8252). I’d love to discuss social media networking and marketing opportunities for you and your business.