1. Here’s A Thought ?

2. Hugh Macleod gapingvoid.com

3. Communication is a two way street.

4. It takes two people. One Listening. One Talking.

5. Social Brands Socialize. They channel two ways.

6. Why is this important?

7. Today, Buying Decisions Are Driven By Other People’s Opinions , Not Advertising.

8. Wanna Bet?

9. Referrals Drive Business

10. 67% of the US economy was driven by referrals (McKinsey & Co, 2001)

11. 82% of new customers for SME come from Word of Mouth ( American Express Open, 2011)

12. Trust Is The New Social Currency

13. 90% of online consumers trust recommendations from people they know, (Econsultancy, July 2009, Erik Qualman, Socialnomics)

14. 70% trust unknown users, (Econsultancy, July 2009, Erik Qualman, Socialnomics)

15. 27% trust experts, (Econsultancy, July 2009, Erik Qualman, Socialnomics)

16. 14% trust advertising, (Econsultancy, July 2009, Erik Qualman, Socialnomics)

17. 8% trust celebrities (Econsultancy, July 2009, Erik Qualman, Socialnomics)

18. 92% have more confidence in info found online than they do in anything from a sales clerk or other source (Wall Street Journal, Jan 2009)

19. 75% of people don’t believe that companies tell the truth in advertisements (Yankelovich)

20. 70% consult reviews or ratings before purchasing (BusinessWeek, Oct 2008)

21. If these numbers tell anything, it is this ...

22. Thanks to the digital world, the consumer now has the power.

23. Consumers Make Buying Decisions Based On Other People’s Opinions ,

24. Consumers’ influence is redefining how business is run today.

25. Word of mouth marketing (people) is the world’s biggest media channel.

26. So, Why Do People Talk?

27. because it benefits them, and it’s a naturally occurring phenomenon.

28. You Can Own This New Channel.

29. Make your Brand Social