True or false? Social media conversations influence purchases.
True.
A May 2010 chart from Internet market researcher eMarketer identified the sources that most influence purchases by social media users. Here are some of the findings:
- Friends – 55%
- People like them – 55%
- Brands – 38%
- Retailers – 35%
- Influential Bloggers – 26%
If you subscribe to the view that the majority of Internet users regularly use a social network, odds are the next purchase your prospects (and your customers) will make is being influenced by a social media conversation somewhere…even as you read this post.
If your business is not engaged in these conversations, your story is being told by someone else in his or her own words, not yours. Your story could also be told by your competition. Or it could be someone who is contributing to a less than positive perception of your brand.
On the positive side, loyal fans (e.g., customers, subscribers, members, etc.) tell others about their happy experiences. They retweet, share, etc. blogs, articles, and tweets from your thought leaders. Local fans are your brand ambassadors.
Whatever the case, negative or positive, these conversations DEFINITELY influence others as they decide to (or not decide to) purchase your products and services.
Why not join the conversation and engage your customers?
Photography Source: DepositPhotos
