Those are the questions that are posed when you think of getting into new media. Why should I do this? What I have been using has been working. I don’t know anything about it, how do I get started? Alright, I know that is a lot to throw out, but let’s break it down:
Why?
I know that I brought it up in a previous post, but I can’t state it enough, people are now consuming their news and information in a different way now. Don’t take it from me, here is some interesting research:
- In the Mashable.com article titled “Stats: Old Media’s Decline, New Media’s Ascent”, a recently released survey from Ketchum finds that blogs are now used by 24% of internet users, up from 13% in 2006; social networks are used by 26%, up from 17% in 2006; and Videocasts are now used by 11%, up from 6% in 2006. That is tremendous growth and I expect the numbers will be even greater in this new year.
- In the Clickz article “Study: Sizing up the Online Generation Gap” based on a study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, it states that all ages are using the internet to communicate, from 12 to 75, with the 70-75 age range growing the most with 45% of the population using it, up from 26% in 2005.
- In the Clickz article “Adults Outnumber Teens on Social Networks”, also based on a study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, the results show that 96% of online adults between the ages of 18-54 have a profile on a social networking site.
There are hundreds of research projects in the marketplace that show that the population is moving their media consumption to new media. But, we don’t even need those. The results of this are being published and broadcast each day in stories of the demise of traditional publishing and media. Now is the time to meet consumers where they are at: online and mobile.
How?
Or should I say, how do we do this effectively? It obviously depends on your marketplace, but it is easier than ever to have some kind of online presence. From tools ranging from Wordpress blogs, to connecting with old friends onFacebook or having conversations using Twitter, it has never been easier to communicate with the people you are trying to reach.
I understand that this is all a bit overwhelming from the start. That is why I will continue to examine all the different types of social and new media here on this blog for those of you that are just starting out, to give you a map of where you might want to go. Also, feel free to call and we can get you started on a new media strategy.
Finally, you can get started today by asking your friends, family and customers what they are using. Even if it is just searching Google or Yahoo to get basic information, you will want to get your new media started today. I hope that we can help.