Social Networks and Blogs - Full Steam Ahead

According to a new Nielson Online report, the internet users in the US and other countries worldwide are using social networks and blogs more than e-mail. (Search still holds the top spot for all online activity) Does this mean that the days of using email as a marketing tool are numbered? Is email going to the same graveyard where direct mail now lies?

You may be thinking that social network sites and blogs are just for fun or a trend. Research shows that the time spent on social networks and blogging sites is growing at over three times the rate of overall Internet growth.

If you would like to learn more, Nielson is hosting a webinar on March 25th, Riding the Wave of Social NetworkingInsights and Tactics for Publishers, Marketers and Agencies. Online analysts Alex Burmaster and Jon Gibs will be discussing the global phenomenon that social networking has become and its implications for business and marketing.

The Power of Email

Here is an article from E-marketer which I believe needs to be read by ALL of my agents who want to stay in touch with their clients. It effectively points out the POWER OF EMAIL MARKETING---PRINT/DIRECT MAIL IS DEAD!!!!!!

The Powerful Potential of Permission-Based E-Mail

FEBRUARY 24, 2009
The majority of customers who receive e-mail from a company have a more positive image of that company.
Really?
According to “Beyond the Click: The Indirect Value of Email,” from Epsilon and ROI Research, 57% of consumers had a more positive impression of companies they had purchased from when they received e-mail from them—and 40% said such e-mail made a future purchase from the company more likely.
Getting consumers to sign up for permission e-mails may be difficult, but the effort is worth it when 84% said they liked receiving e-mail from companies they had registered with—and more than one-half saved the messages for later review.
Even when consumers have to wade through hundreds of spam messages, they appreciate receiving relevant information.
“E-mail builds loyalty and brand awareness and drives on- and off-line behavior,” said Kevin Mabley, senior vice president of Epsilon Strategic Services, in a statement.
Need data for presentations? eMarketer subscribers can download charts instantly — over 50,000 choices.
To test this thesis, Epsilon looked more closely at one particular category in its “Flying High: Measuring the Value of Email Marketing for the Travel Industry” report.
“In the travel industry where so much activity has moved to the online arena, it’s crucial that companies communicate effectively and efficiently with their customers,” said Mr. Mabley.
In fact, recipients of travel e-mail showed even higher loyalty than retail, consumer packaged goods, pharma or finance category recipients, with 63% saying in October 2008 that they were more likely to buy from companies that sent them e-mail.
A whopping 92% of respondents who received travel e-mail thought it was a “great way” to learn about new products and offerings.
More importantly, consumers often took easily measurable actions such as booking online, clicking links and downloading coupons after receiving e-mail from a travel company.