I agree with Stephen Waddington: if you’re in PR in the UK, Econsultancy’s Social Media and Online PR Report is essential reading.
I’ve not yet read the detailed report, published earlier this week, just scanned through the extract freely available on Econsultancy’s website. Plus I’ve absorbed some of the commentary posted by PR influencers such as Wadds and others like Danny Whatmough.
One of the metrics especially caught my eye as it accurately reflects what I see as a paradox – that of extreme positions:
What this shows is that two-thirds of the 1,100 communicators at companies and agencies who took part in the survey aren’t doing much with social media, while just over a quarter are doing a lot.
From one extreme to the other with no middle ground being occupied. The good news is that those doing nothing at all are in a distinct minority. And Econsultancy summarizes the overall picture nicely:
Many companies are enthusiastic about social media but are struggling to get real value, according to Econsultancy research published this week.
The good news for companies is that investment in time and resources can pay dividends … provided that the strategies and tactics employed are closely aligned with business objectives.
There’s a key message: consider social media on the same footing as as you would with the traditional elements of your communication plans.
Looking forward to studying the detail.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Neville Hobson, prblogs. prblogs said: Hobson: At the extremes with social media in the UK: I agree with Stephen Waddington: if you’re in PR in the UK, … http://bit.ly/8A8obM […]
At the extremes with social media in the UK http://bit.ly/4D7bJk
Twitter Comment
At the extremes with social media in the UK [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
http://bit.ly/7fb6L7 UK Social media study – good reading and interesting finds as mentioned here http://bit.ly/5X3GGF (via @jangles)
RT @jangles At the extremes with social media in the UK http://bit.ly/8LuHFX
Thanks for the mention Neville.
I think the two data points that 1. few are ‘heavily’ involved and 2. few are getting real value/ROI are potentially inextricably linked.
What strikes me mostly, Danny, is the huge opportunity this suggests for education and training: so many people need asome guidance in really understanding the value proposition presented by social media.
A big challenge is understanding that those who need most guidance often don’t think they do.
Exciting times.
RT @jangles: [Blog] At the extremes with social media in the UK http://tinyurl.com/ygxxcn8 <-thanks for the mention Neville
At the extremes with social media in the UK | NevilleHobson.com: http://bit.ly/6FoLcY
Interesting #social stats from the UK from @jangles: http://bit.ly/7fRvjA #cmo #marketing #pr
Twitter Comment
Interesting #social stats from the UK from @jangles: [link to post] #cmo #marketing #pr
– Posted using Chat Catcher
by @JohnFMoore: Interesting #social stats from the UK from @jangles: http://bit.ly/7fRvjA #cmo #marketing #pr
At the extremes with social media in the UK http://bit.ly/8cnNEm #postrank #marketing
Twitter Comment
At the extremes with social media in the UK [link to post] #postrank #marketing
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
by @JohnFMoore: Interesting #social stats from the UK from @jangles: [link to post] #cmo #marketing #pr
– Posted using Chat Catcher
At the extremes with social media in the UK | NevilleHobson.com: I agree with Stephen Waddington: if you're.. http://bit.ly/6FoLcY
At the extremes with social media in the UK http://ow.ly/HjuE Comments on Social Media and Online PR Report #socialCMO
[…] complementary to credible depth research on social media and communication in the UK such as the report from Econsultancy last week (and they’ll be there on Monday to talk about their research […]