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Social media is wide-spread and it’s here to stay! Here are some compelling data on social media use:

• In the U.S., social networks and blogs reach nearly 80 percent of active U.S. Internet users and represent the majority of Americans’ time online.1

• Social media can be defined as any online platform or channel for publishing and disseminating user-generated content. 2

• Today more than ever older Internet users are flocking to social sites to join in the conversation. In fact, the most significant growth among these sites in the last several years has been among 50 years and older, which has steadily upped the average user age across the board. 3

• 95% of all teens ages 12-17 are online and 80% of those teens use social media.4

• Connection with family and friends is the primary reason people use social media. 2/3 say staying in touch is a major reason they use these sites.5

• Most online adults describe their experiences using social media in positive terms.6

• The average social media user has more close ties and is 1/2 as likely to be socially isolated.7

• 65% of social media-using teens have had an experience that made them feel good about themselves. 58% have felt closer to another person.8

• Facebook users have more social support, and they are much more politically engaged compared with Americans of a similar age and education.9

• Young adults who spend more time on Facebook are better at showing “virtual empathy.” 10

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Terms social media users used to describe their experience. http://www.pewinternet.org/

Reports/2011/Social-Networking-Sites

• Youth who use blogs, websites and email to discuss politics and current events become more socially engaged over time.11

• In a study of 63 Cornell University undergraduates, researchers found that people reported higher self-esteem after spending time on their Facebook profile than after time spent looking into a mirror (Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 2011). 12

• Social networking triggers the release of the feel-good hormone, Oxytocin.13

• For every hour online, Americans spend 16 minutes on social media.14

• 72% of online adults are social networking site users.15

Resources

Policy:• Online Database of Social Media Policies - http://socialmediagovernance.com/policies.php

• The Nonprofit Social Media Policy Workbook - http://www.idealware.org/reports/nonprofit-social-media-policy-workbook

• Creating a Social Media Policy - http://idealware.org/articles/creating-social-media-policy

• Designing Social Media Policy for Government - http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/guides/social_media_policy

Strategy:• Developing a Social Media Strategy - http://www.buildsocialconsulting.com/resources/developing-

a-strategy/

• Social Media Strategy in 8 Steps - http://www.convinceandconvert.com/social-media-strategy/social-media-strategy-in-8-steps/

• The POST Method: A systematic approach to social strategy - http://forrester.typepad.com/groundswell/2007/12/the-post-method.html

Data:• Pew Internet and American Life Project - http://www.pewinternet.org/

How-To:• Instagram Basics - http://help.instagram.com/324502877648266

• Snapchat Walkthrough - http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-snapchat-2013-2?op=1

• 8 Tips for Using Facebook Scheduled Posts - http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-scheduled-posts/

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• Build Social’s 101 Guide to Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter - http://www.buildsocialconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Build-Socials-101-Guide-2-26-13.pdf

• Social Media Best Practices - http://www.buildsocialconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Social-Media-Best-Practices.pdf

References 1. http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/social/

2. http://heidicohen.com/social-media-definition/

3. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Social-Networking-Sites.aspx

4. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Teens-and-social-media

5. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Why-Americans-Use-Social-Media

6. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Social-Networking-Sites

7. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Technology-and-social-networks

8. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Teens-and-social-media/Summary/Majority-of-teens

9. http://pewinternet.org/Commentary/2012/March/Pew-Internet-Social-Networking-full-detail.aspx

10. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/facebook.aspx

11. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/02/friends.aspx

12. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/facebook.aspx

13. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/april-rudin/the-science-behind-feelin_b_624649.html

14. http://www.experian.com/blogs/marketing-forward/2013/04/18/for-every-hour-online-americans-spend-16-minutes-on-social-networks/

15. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/social-networking-sites.aspx

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For more information and resources visit www.buildsocialconsulting.com or contact Brittany Smith at brittany@buildsocialconsulting.com