The Angerosa Research Foundation recently released its “Web 2.0: How Associations are Tapping Social Media” report, a follow-up to their “E-Publishing Trends and Metrics” study from 2007. The report focuses on how associations are increasingly using social media and Web 2.0 tools and technologies to meet their association goals. Here are 10 highlights from the report:
- Associations find that the benefits of using social media include engaging younger members, creating member interaction, connecting meeting attendees and driving membership.
- Associations claim that their biggest challenges with social media are available budget and resources.
- More than half (57 percent) of associations have experimented with at least one social media application.
- Associations most commonly use the following social media sites: Facebook (43 percent), LinkedIn (35 percent) and YouTube (31 percent).
- Associations are creating their own social media sites (38 percent).
- Associations are using blogs (61 percent) and allow comments (93 percent).
- Association blogs are most often used for general discussions (52 percent), followed by conference information (44 percent), magazine/publication issues (32 percent) and CEO commentary (22 percent).
- More than a fourth (28 percent) of associations have a wiki and they are used for committee collaboration (43 percent).
- The communications or communications/marketing departments (65 percent) are responsible for the managing the social media.
- More than two-thirds of associations (68 percent), social media efforts are part of the association’s strategic plans.
Click here to download a PDF of the executive summary. If you are interested in a social media strategy for your association or if you have questions about social media, contact us to learn how Hammock can work with you to help you meet your association’s goals.