Why should event planners care about Social Media?

This is an awesome summary on why event planners should care about Social Media!

http://www.eventcoup.com/what-the-hell-is-social-media-in-2-minutes

Directly copied from the post...

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Why the HELL should I care? Here are 10 really, REALLY good reasons…

REASON #1
Because social media is now the number one online activity beating porn and personal email to the top spot.
(Nielsen Wire)

REASON #2
Because 2/3 of the global internet population visit social networks.
(Nielsen, Global Faces & Networked Places)

REASON #3
Because time spent on social networks is growing at 3x the overall internet rate, accounting for 10% of all internet time.
(Nielsen, Global Faces & Networked Places)

REASON #4
Because online including social media has become the most influential source in helping consumer make purchasing decisions.
(Weber Shandwick Inline Research)

REASON #5
Because millions of people are creating their own content for the social web.
Your competitors are already there.
Your customers have been there for a long time.
If your business isn't putting itself out there, it ought to be.
(Business Week)

REASON #6
Because the next 3 billion consumers will access the internet from a mobile device.
People will update anytime, anywhere.
Imagine what that means for bad customer experiences!
(Wired Magazine UK)
This is called the super-fresh web
The ‘super-fresh’ web will force brands to engage with its customers

REASON #7
Because Facebook is now the operating system of the social web. It has won the social networking war
If Facebook were a country it would be bigger than the USA and 3rd largest in the World
Facebook added 200 million users in less than a year
Facebook adds ½ million users every day
On target for ½ billion users by December 2010
5 billion: The number of minutes spent on Facebook each day
1 billion: The amount of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.) shared each week on Facebook.
Additional note: 350+ million Facebook users as of January 2010 out of which 50% log on everyday.
(Facebook)

REASON #8
Because Twitter believes it will have 1 billion users by 2012.
If this happens it will become the pulse of the planet
(Twitter)

REASON #9
Because one way marketing has had its day!
Stop thinking “campaigns”. Start thinking “conversations”.
Listening first, selling second

REASON #10
Because in almost all cases social media is free.
All it will cost you is time.

Inspired by the genius work of Marta Kagan author of WHAT THE F**K IS SOCIAL MEDIA
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Social Media has truly revolutionized life, work, and culture! Thanks for posting, Event Coup!

Next up...how I personally use Social Media in regards to my event planning biz.