A survey of US small businesses by Hiscox has reached several conclusions over how SMEs are using social media to reach their audiences. The results show over half of small businesses are using social media in some way, however only a small proportion see it as an essential part of their marketing communications mix.
The results are:
- 53% of respondents used social media for business puposes.
- 19% use Facebook.
- 15% use LinkedIn.
- 4% use Twitter.
When it came to identifying which social media channels are the most important:
- 28% said a company Facebook page.
- 18% said a company page / group on LinkedIn.
- 8% said a company blog.
Finally, Hiscox survey asked respondents how important they felt social media was their businesses success.
- 12% described it as a must.
- 24% gave social media attention when they had the time.
- 14% said they didn’t know enough about it.
The number of SMEs using social media is encouraging. The next challenge for these new digital platform, is to reach out to the 47% of small companies not using their services.