Let’s talk about budgets.

It took a while.

Even though tens of millions of users were flocking to social media sites every day, most marketers stayed away. They either didn’t understand how to join the conversations—without sounding like shills—or they were frightened away by the prospect of associating their brands with questionable content.

But things are changing.

Companies are learning how to leverage social media and tap into the rising tide of consumers participating in social network sites, blogs, wikis and Twitter.

According to the “The ROI on Social Media Marketing” report from the Aberdeen Group, sponsored by Visible Technologies, marketers have developed the tools and methodologies to drive marketing ROI by listening to and learning from customers and prospects.

 

Originally posted on emarketer for the rest of the article go to http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1006989

Package-Goods Brand Earns $1.28 Million in Sales From $1 Million Social-Media Campaign

Package-goods brands are still cautious about social media, figuring that the return on investment can’t be accurately measured. After all, marketing on Facebook or MySpace might generate a conversation but not necessarily a sale. Now, however, a method is emerging to relate one to the other, potentially eliminating a major impediment.

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Last week, TechCrunch reported on rumors that Google was in “late-stage talks” to buy microblogging service Twitter.
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Truth be told, it’s kids, even twenty-somethings

MySpace became one of the country’s most-visited sites thanks to users under 30 who joined it to reconnect with long-lost friends. Facebook rose to prominence with a cadre of high school and college devotees who messaged about school, social outings and sports practice.

The fastest-growing social networking destination on the web these days is being driven by a very different demographic: older adults. They make up nearly double the visitors to Twitter.com as those under 30, according to new data from Nielsen Online.
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ROI is a hot topic.

Discussions surrounding the return on investment of social media have been prevalent lately, and with good reason. In a tightening economy, businesses are scrutinizing their spending and anxious to ensure that their resources are being allocated wisely.
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Social Media’s ’Gee-Whiz

Factor’ Must Die: Time to

Get Down to Business

Social media is cool! Blogging and podcasts are cool! We’re so cutting edge! Twitter is like the future here today, and no one knows about it!

Yeah, whatever.

The people looking at social media long and hard fall into a few camps, and I’m writing this for those who are scrunching their noses up and asking, “how exactly does this improve my business?”
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When it comes to innovation, look to the non-profits. When you’re short of marketing megabucks, necessity can be the mother of some pretty interesting inventions. Consider the Obama campaign, or PETA.org’s fascinating forays into viral marketing.
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