By Lisa Fitzpatrick

Photo Cred: B!Digital

Social Networks have been continually growing since 2009…..

In 2011, 63.7% of US internet users will use social networks on a regular basis, amounting to nearly 148 million people.

Source: Debra Aho Williamson, 2011Photo Cred: Media PlusMe

Marketers and media companies alike now know that in order to reach their audience, they must have a presence on social networks.

Source: Debra Aho Williamson, 2011

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Mobile networks…. You name it!

Businesses using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking platforms are expected to grow at a rate of 20%-30% this year and even at a greater rate next year.

Source: CIO Insight, 2010Photo Cred: Social Mediahess

We’ve gotten beyond the idea that brands using social media is more than just a trend.

Source: Jeana Anderson, 2011Photo Cred: EPeru

Marketing, as we know it today, will see its’ percent of activities devoted to social marketing increase past 50% over the next two years.

Source: Tony Zambito, 2011Photo Cred: Steinar Knutsen

This year, social media has reached such a large user rate that it has now become the new way

the 21st century communicates today

Photo Cred: Homebusinessblog

Although the pace of growth will be less dramatic in the next few years than it was in 2009 and 2010, usage will remain strong and shows no sign of declining. Source: Debra Aho Williamson,

2011Photo Cred: YourWebPA

Perhaps since the rate isn’t growing, the status quo of users are all experienced social media experts

Photo Cred: M. Rupatel

To say things are changing is an understatement.  Morgan Stanley (2010), recently reported in a study that there are now more social network users than email users. 

Source: Daniel Flaberg, 2010Photo Cred: Avenue Social

The battle between email and social networks for users’ time and attention is gaining momentum.

Source: Debra Aho Williamson, 2011Photo Cred: Vacuum3d

Social networks will need to cement their relationships with their users, particularly people ages 35 and up, in order to keep them engaged.

So in order to do this, many marketers and media companies are now contributing to the social network user’s experience…

They do so by advertising deals, sales, coupons, discounts, etc., throughout many social platforms in what is now known as a “virtual market”.

Photo Cred: Micah Johnson

Companies are constantly looking to extend their brands into this new online universe.

Photo Cred: Social Media Ltd.

According to the tech industry research firm Gartner Inc., smartphone owners will download 4.5 billion apps in 2010, up from a trickle two years ago.

Source: John Lorinc, Ivor Tossell, Omar El Akkad, 2011

This virtual market is worth almost $7 billion (all currency in U.S. dollars), and will balloon to nearly $30 billion by 2013.

Photo Cred: Bzerk Media

Have you ever heard Apple’s slogan:

“There’s an App for that”?

This slogan is an open invitation for consumers to shop constantly in this virtual market….

So with so many people staying connected to social media every single day, we now have access

to….

Photo Cred: B!Digital

A DIGITAL DOLLAR SUPERSTORE!