A new survey points to the power of social media for businesses.

Companies, whether an international package delivery firm or an international travel operator, can use social media to generate interest and build a brand.

Travel, it seems, is a growth area for social media, with a report suggesting that a third of British holidaymakers have used Web 2.0 technology to decide on where, when and how to travel.

Of the 36 per cent surveyed by the World Travel Market (WTM) who used social media for their holidays, a large number had their minds changed by what they saw and read.

A third (35 per cent) opted for a different hotel, while 15 per cent changed airline and the same percentage chose a new resort.

One in eight (12 per cent) social media users even altered the country they were planning to visit.

The lessons can of course be applied to firms using parcel delivery and courier services. In an article for Forbes.com, Anand Subramaniam pointed out that companies should restrict social media to dealing only with low level queries from actual or potential customers.

Posted by Tom Sands 

Article Added: 12/11/2010 16:45:42