They say the proof is in the pudding, and if you were on the fence about the effectiveness of social media, boy have I got some proof for you. A new study shows that organizations that use social media are more financially successful than those that are not involved. ENGAGEMENTdb: Ranking the Top 100 Global Brands, reviewed how the top 100 most valuable brands use more than 10 different social media channels, including blogs, Facebook, Twitter, wikis and discussion forums.
The verdict?
Organizations that were measured to have the greatest depth and breadth of social media engagement grew company revenues by an average of 18 percent of the past 12 months. Companies that showed little engagement or interest in social media experienced an average decrease in company revenues of six percent.
The web has created new and low-cost options to get the word out about your organization. This new study just goes to show that if you want to achieve maximum success in the work you do, social media will have to become part of your communications strategy with clients, donors and customers. If your organization is not yet engaged in social media, now is the time. Seriously. For the very best resources for how to get started, see Beth Kanter’s fabulous blog which has a ton of resources about how nonprofits can use social media.
Image credit: Francis Anderson
I’m blogging every single day this month for 31 Days of Giving to celebrate my 27th birthday on December 31 and asking all my friends to donate $27 to benefit the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Washington DC. Will you give? Your gift would really make a difference for young nonprofit leaders in DC!
