The top two benefits of social media marketing are increasing exposure and increasing
traffic. A significant 90% of all marketers indicated that their social media efforts have
generated more exposure for their businesses. Increasing traffic was the second major
benefit, with 77% reporting positive results.
Most marketers are using social media to develop loyal fans (69%) and gain marketplace intelligence (68%).
Improved sales
It takes time to develop relationships that lead to sales. However, a large percentage of marketers who take the time find great results.
For example, more than half of marketers who’ve been using social media for at least 2 years report it helped them improve sales. More than half who spend 6 or more hours per week find the same results and 73% of those who spend 40+ hours per week earn new business through their efforts.
Conversely, 49% of all marketers taking this survey report that social media has not helped them improve sales. This may be because they lack the needed tools to track sales.
Increased exposure
With as little as 6 hours per week, the vast majority of marketers (91%+) indicated their social media efforts increased exposure for their businesses. Nearly all marketers (91%+) who’ve been employing social media marketing for one year or longer report it generates exposure for their businesses.