VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - BC is leading the way when it comes to using social media as a business tool, according to a new survey. And smaller companies are more likely to take advantage of it.
Facebook is the most popular choice, followed by LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Businesses are finding it's one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get their name out there.
Richard Dendy with BMO says blogging is also playing a huge role. "For instance, if you're selling running shoes… what a fun way to put [up] a blog that follows the training regimen of someone doing their first marathon. Their customers would find value in that."
The hospitality industry, the arts or anything that has to do with health and fitness are the companies that use social media the most.
"There's a wide variety of reasons but the primary one is it helps grow their customer loyalty. It's a cost- effective, marketing way of adding value to their customer relationships and building a brand."
He adds about 80 per cent of companies have noticed an improvement in their profits since using social media as a marketing tool.