While one study shows that the number of companies now using social media marketing has jumped from 20% in 2007 to 66% today, the national study of management, marketing and human resource executives.reveals that one in eight has concerns about what the effects might be.

Among those not yet using social media, the primary concern is confidentiality and security (40%.) closely followed by damage to the reputation (37%.) These fears are understandable – there have been some horror stories reported.

But there have been many more successes and despite these misgivings social networking is being viewed as a key strategy: eight in 10 ssay social media can enhance relationships with customers/clients and build brand reputation

So why aren;t they all using it? The number one reason companies are not yet implementeing a social media strategy is they don’t know enough about it. (51%)   Yet only one in three businesses surveyed has a policy in place to govern social media use, and only ten percent said they have conducted relevant employee training.

Stumbling around in the dark can certainly lead to security and reputation issues. Social media training should be high  on the list for all employees this year – not just your PR team.

Does your company have a social media policy in place. What’s your biggest concern?

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