With all of the excitement surrounding social media, Meetup is the perfect blend of behind-the-keyboard and face-to-face. I’ve been having fun exploring parts of the city I may never have known before and have met some really awesome people. It gets me out doing things I may normally not ever do. It’s easy come, easy go as far as picking and choosing how involved I want to be. Their tagline is “Do something; Learn Something; Share Something; Change Something” and I’ve found it to be absolutely true.

I’ve been having a ball on hiking expeditions, happy hour and trivia Meetups so far. Here are a few more groups I’m thinking about checking out in the future:

• The Atlanta Graphic Design Collective on Meetup
• Sky’s the Limit Adventures ATLANTA
• Atlanta Web Design Group
• Georgia Adventurers Group
• Dog hikers of Kennesaw Mountain
• Atlanta Wine & Dine Group
• Atlanta Chocolate Meetup

Just like an app, there really is something for everyone. I have found myself saying, “There’s a Meetup for that!” For example, here’s a few more ‘unique’ groups happening in the ATL area right now:

• The Atlanta Dungeons & Dragons Meetup Group
• Atlanta Firewalking
• Atlanta Jugglers Association
• The North Georgia Pet Chicken Meetup Group
• Cobb County UFO Experiencers
• Hundredth Monkey Sangha

…and the list goes on!

Don’t find what you’re into? You can always become a group organizer for your “OTP Underwater Basket Weavers”. Currently there are 7.2 million members with 46,000 Meetup topics in 45,000 cities registered with the site. A few quotes on their site sum it all up:

“Meetup allows people to find people who would never find each other in the regular world. It’s begun to change interpersonal communication.”

“For instance, if you’re into dressing your cat up like a Star Trek character, you’ll find someone else out there that does the same — it brings people together.”

Meetup’s been a great social networking experience for me so far! If you want to do something, learn something, share something or change something, check it out.

1. Presentation

2. Quick Tips

3. Getting Started

Please let us know if we can help you with your Social Media and Branding need for your organization. We put together a straightforward menu of personalized services designed to get your business in the Social Media game. TAKE LOOK AT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICES

It’s a sign of the times that so many businesses have taken an interest in online networking sites, which were once primarily viewed as communication vehicles for children and teens. The social media industry has now blossomed into a powerful marketing tool for small businesses and corporations. Continue Reading at MDJonline.com

• Digital Media – website, eBlasts, SEO
• Networking – phone calls, seminars, referrals
• Print Media – advertisements, newsletters, yellow pages, signage

Survey Results

Interestingly, while social media came in fourth in our survey, it was the number one topic of discussion. Social media, including blogs, Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter is on the rise among business leaders and people were eager to learn more. The challenges primarily surround how to best include social media into their current marketing efforts and the strategies for using it.

Tricks of the Trade
The survey also pointed to a diversity of current marketing mediums, which is a key component of a good marketing strategy. Diversification expands your reach, connecting with your customers and prospects more often. Some other tips include:

• Use free social media channels, including Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter.
• Keep your website up-to-date and pertinent. A mouse click is all that separates your prospects from either learning more or moving on.
• Communicate your company’s brand image consistently across all channels.
• Use digital media such as email campaigns and blogs. They are cost-effective and trackable!
• Use analytics from web and eCommunications to measure ROI and help improve your messaging and strategy.

The pack during the 2009 Cobb Chamber B2B Expo. Pictured left to right: Jay, Susanna, Tricia, Cheryl, Bill, Amy and Barbara

A new study tracking online user trends released by Nielsen finally puts some hard numbers behind what everyone suspected: social media is the next big thing. Compiled from data gathered from December 2007 to December 2008, it reveals a few surprising details:

1. Social media is now more popular than personal email
According to Nielsen, social networks and blogs are now the fourth most popular online activity – rocketing ahead of personal email for the very first time – putting it just behind searches, general interest sites and PC software. Overall, it accounts for almost 10% of online time, globally.

2. Time spent on social networking sites grew at three times internet growth
That’s a staggering statistic. What’s more, the insight behind the statistic is even better. People aren’t only visiting social media sites in a greater number, they’re visiting those sites – and staying longer. The numbers show they’re poking around and exploring content, and overall seem more engaged online than ever before. For businesses looking to take advantage of the social media space, this is an encouraging statistic.

3. Social media isn’t just for the young’uns
As social media becomes more mainstream and the early adopters give way to the majority, we see an expansion in audience ages; a trend that will certainly continue. Facebook, which saw an increase in traffic of 566% in 2008, reports that the greatest overall growth came from the 35-49 crowd. Even more surprising is that Facebook added almost twice as many 50-64 year-old users as under 18 users. The Facebook phenomenon, while remarkable in itself, is an indicator of the overall social media expansion. And this tell-tale statistic means that businesses’ ability to effectively reach customers will continue to expand as well.

All signs point to a solid future for social media on the mantle of marketing. The statistics are very exciting, and will give businesses another tool in the marketing tool belt. As it matures and marketing methods become more polished and effective, look for breakout companies to define and standardize the role of social media. But until then, it’s anybody’s game.