More Mobile Marketing...Maybe

7 Social Media Trends for Consumers: New Research

By Patricia Redsicker
Published January 16, 2013 

Are you wondering what the changing social trends are for consumers?

If so, look no further.

In Nielsen and McKinsey's Social Media Report, consumers were surveyed to discover how they use social networks.

Here are seven key findings from that report.

#1: More Time Invested in Mobile

The survey found that consumers are increasingly looking to their smartphones and tablets to access social media.

While the PC is still the most widely used device when it comes to social media consumption, the study found that time spent on mobile apps and mobile websites accounted for a 63% increase (compared to 2011) in total time spent.

Additionally, 43% of users said they use smartphones to access social media, while 16% connect using a tablet.

Mobile and particularly apps are where people are spending their social networking time.

Key Takeaway: When it comes to consuming social content, it's all about mobile. For marketers, that means that mobile has to be your top content priority this year.

If you haven't done so already, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Set up a mobile website (there's a free WordPress plugin for this)
• Register your business on location-based services such as Foursquare,WHERE or SCVNGR
• Use SMS and MMS to attract customers
• Build your own app (even if you're not a developer) using GENWI, Mippin,MobiCart or ShoutEm
• Get more mobile marketing tips in Jamie Turner's excellent book, Go Mobile!

While it's great to know that mobile devices are becoming such a popular tool for social media users, we must not forget, from a marketing standpoint, that users aren't using social media to connect with products or services. They're using it to connect with friends and family. This is why it's so important that the content you are posting on your social media is relevant enough to get the attention of those Facebook Likes and Twitterers. What can you say that might drive traffic to your mobile website, and how can you increase the conversion rates for that website.

If you're looking for answers to these questions, you can visit me at www.tylerzeck.com. 

The complete list from Social Media Examiner can be found at http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/7-social-media-trends-for-consumers-new-research/