The Wrap-Up

Social media use is not much different in the US than it is in Australia: people using different applications and websites to keep in contact with their friends and relatives and businesses getting a closer look at who they are marketing to. 

Australia has made the jump to social media sites and are using it full-force to promote their businesses.  Using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, and LinkedIn, companies are looking for a stronger sense of connection with their customers.  In addition to these, bloggers are sharing product reviews and sharing company findings.  In the future, businesses and companies will extend through social medias, beyond their country, connecting to the rest of the world.

I hope you enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed researching about another country.  Feel free to pass along and share what you may have learned.

Google+: What the +1 Can Do For You

When we need to look up information, people immediately turn to internet search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing.  We all have our favorite.  In Australia, however, it appears that the majority of Australians prefer Google.  Over 95% to be exact. 

With search engines being the first place people turn, why should business be any different?

Search engine optimization is the current trend among companies and products: getting your website to the front pages of Google and other search engines' listings.  With the introduction of Google+ a year ago, businesses reliance on Google has never been greater worldwide. 



"Google Plus" is a direct competitor to the popular, Facebook

Experts say that with the rise of Google+, the +1 feature will grow to popularity as well, just like Facebook's "Like" button. Businesses in Australia are jumping on board, looking to utilize the new form of social media to their benefit. 

For those that have Google accounts, you can see which pages have been +1'ed and as well as recommend pages to your friends, straight from your search.  The +1 feature, similar to the "like" button, allows companies to see who is interested in their business and talking about their products.

For Australia, their current jump on social media will be sure to include the wave of Google+ users and a way to incorporate the multiple social medias.

Do you have/use Google+? What company pages have you +1ed of liked on Facebook? 

Social Media in Real Estate

Kevin Magee, CEO of Raine & Horne South Australia sat down with Lee Hopkins of Better Communication Results to discuss the benefits found in using social media in Australia.  Here's what he had to say:

Raine & Horne has seen a tremendous amount of success after jumping to social media.  Kevin can be found on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook. 

Lee Hopkins can also be found on Twitter, @leehopkins, or email Lee@LeeHopkins.com

Facebook: Top 5 Companies in Australia

With almost 11 million users on Facebook, Australia ranks 19th on the list of countries for the popular social media site. But while Australia may seem lower on the list, their population utilizes the different company and product pages on Facebook.  Let's take a look at the Top 5 Companies in Australia on Facebook and how they each use their page.

1. Quiksilver

Ranking first is the American surf company that opened in up on the shores of Australia in 1969.  Since its founding, Quiksilver has grown to have a wide variety of surf equipment and clothing.  The Facebook page brings in a total of 1,880,341 fans.  Sharing a collection of videos, pictures, and events, the page features their products and sponsored athletes to guide people to their webpage listed in the about me section.

2. UGG Australia

Second, we have the footwear company founded in 1978.  Today, UGG boots and shoes are known worldwide for its fashion, but the shoe company first got its start by surfers looking to keep their feet dry and sand-less, yet comfortable.  The sheepskin boots quickly spread to the US and worldwide and capture 1,344,060 likes on Facebook.  Fans of the page are treated to different styles and variations of the shoes available, with links to their store attached to each picture.

3. Bubble O' Bill Ice Cream

Next up is the delicious ice cream treat, Bubble O' Bill.  Formed with a blend off chocolate, strawberry, and banana ice cream, and finished off with a bubble gum ball nose, the frozen dessert brings in 1,173,145 fans on Facebook.  The bar is western-themed and had a brief stint in both the US and UK, however, its success landed in Australia for the product.  Not listing a website, the page hopes to gain interest in eating a Bubble O' Bill with funny sayings and updates.

4. Pringles Australia

Fourth on the list is the baked chip, Pringles. While Pringles has a worldwide page that brings in over 19 million likes, the Australian division totals 888,939 fans.  The page posts witty updates and photos with featuring the product to bring interest to their chips.  Similar to Bubble O' Bill, they do not list their website, yet hope to raise your hunger and interest in their product. 

5. Coca-Cola Australia

Last on the list is Coca-Cola's Australian division on Facebook.  Similar to Pringles, Coca-Cola features a worldwide page that hosts over 41 million fans, while the country-based page pulls 802,150 likes.  The page features pictures of their products as well as giveaways and special events.  Here, they utilize customer feedback and hope to learn who is drinking their product down under. 

Conclusion

It's interesting to see which companies are the most popular on Facebook and how they each use it.  While the first two on the list are both into clothing and apparel, the interesting fact is they both are surfing based.  And with the last three all food or beverages, one is location specific compared to the other two, which also have worldwide pages. 

Take a look around some of your favorite companies on Facebook.  How do they use their pages to connect with their customers?  Do they appeal to you in a way to get them to use their product?  Do they have other pages for other countries, rather than just one for their worldwide audience?  Looking at Facebook, you'll see there isn't just one way to how things are done.

Social Media Usage

In February 2010, The Nielsen Company determined people across the world were spending, on average, over 5 hours on social media sites. The United States averaged just above 6 hours of usage, however, they weren't the largest users: Italy had the highest amount of time with 6:27, and Australia in second, with 6:25. Since 2010, numbers may have increased, but the fact is Australia is among the top countries in usage of social media.

So what are Australians using social media for?

The internet users from Down Under are averaging 7 hours and 17 minutes per person on social networks and blogs.  According to roi.com.au, of the internet users:

• 73% read up on their products and businesses.  Seeking out reviews and comments, they are actively pursuing feedback.
• 46% are using the 'Like' button on Facebook for brands/organizations.
• 42% are connecting with the companies about products and services

With the opportunity to 'Like' a page on Facebook, 'Follow' companies on Twitter, and find companies on LinkedIn, Australians are using these social networks not only to connect with their friends and family, but also as a way to have a direct connection with the businesses they enjoy.  Businesses are also enjoy this connectivity to their customers as it provides them with feedback on products, as well as, getting information out about what their company is up to. 

Next time you 'Like' a page on Facebook or 'Follow' a business on Twitter, think about this connection and what it means to you.  Do you use these social networks to find out about new products?  Or more simply to show support for the organization?  What do you think businesses hope to gain from your connection?

Intro: Global Impact of Social Media

This blog is set up as a project for my course: The Global Impact of Social Media.  The project's main focus is to analyze social media and how it affects a general topic in a specific country, other than the United States. Examining at least three forms of social media, we are to look for how social media has helped shape society.

For my project, I chose to focus on Australia and how social media has helped shape the business world.  With research, I plan on highlighting the changes in the social media outlets and how these new modifications are continuing to alter how business and social media impact Australia's society.