This morning I read a recent post that Google’s Communication Manager in Brazil uploaded to his blog, which talks about a survey they conducted on what Brazilians think are the key users of social networks and what they do once they are there. The survey, which was conducted to a thousand users and is specifically focused on Orkut, serves as a good kick-start point for companies to expand to international markets when building their social media initiatives.

Since the post was in Spanish, I decided to take out the best and most relevant data and translate it into Chaucer’s language. Hope you enjoy the facts!

Emails and search engines remain among the dominant uses of the internet, but people love variety.

• 90% of respondents use email, almost at the same rate as search engines. These are their top daily choices.

• Orkut is Brazil’s favorite social network.

• Size: 37 million members.

• Activity: 1.3 million daily visitors.

Social networks are used… for socializing.

• 90% believe that the greatest benefit of social networks is for those that want to keep in touch with old friends.

• 89% use them to get in touch with family and friends.

• 78% use them to expand their social circle.

• Interesting fact: 83% joined a social network because family or friends were already using them.

Social networks are meant for personal use, not business… Although some business is welcome.

• 41% use Orkut for personal reasons

• Only 3% prioritize business over personal use.

• 71% of Orkut users in Brazil would not mind seeing ads like online coupons of their favorite brands.

Ear to Ground Analysis:

• Brazilians are going beyond the simple use of social networks. They are incorporating the social networks as part of their daily life activities and sharing their lives with the people they care about.

• Businesses have an outstanding opportunity to connect with users in the different social networks, as long as they don’t invade users’ privacy while adding real value to their audiences.

The key to utilizing these facts comes with the understanding that these international markets are active and growing at a rapid rate and integrating into these networks now, before anyone else even comes near them through social networks can come with a lot of profitable success. So while your competitors are struggling with traditional methods of advertising, you can simply log in and talk directly to your consumers.

Are you in?

Source: Google Latin America

Federico Rodriguez-Gasquet

Social Media Manager @ Re Agency

Arising from smoke, ash, and fire, Daniel Tumiwa had to tell someone about what had just happened to him, terrified and confused, he did the first thing that came to his mind after witnessing several bombs go off in Indonesia yesterday.. he tweeted.

According to ABC News (Australia) TwitterTwitter was the first to report news of the deadly Jakarta bombings yesterday and altogether it doesn’t come as a surprise to many of that us that have seen current events issues published throughout the entire known web space, with Twitter being the culprit behind the viral spread. The Hudson River plane crash, the controversy behind the Iranian elections, and Michael Jackson’s death where some of the few outstanding occurrences Twitter has documented before anyone else. And this tragic event further reiterates the possibilities of the viral effect the Internet undoubtedly has..

According to ABC News the events occured as follows:

“He quickly followed up with more details.

“2 boms go off at marriot hotel ad ritz carlton jakarta.”

“2 boms go off inside Ritz Carlton and Marriott coffee shops! Not kidding. Am here.”

“Left location. Shocked. Lots of blood. Breakfast meetings at coffee shops while bombs went off.”

“Thanks for all the concern. Back home. Safe. Shocked. Blood…smoke…glass…everywhere…prayers to the victims….” ”

As tends to happen the news hopped around from Twitterer to Twitterer, every social network picked up on the news, until eventually it reached the actual press and the major publications began the in depth reports.

In another part of the story The Marriott Hotels Group is spreading their message of condolences and empathy for the victims and the loved ones of their victims through Twitter, and their blog.

Their use of online PR is notably one the best examples of corporate social media usage seen to date, their message is humane, and they’ve made it a priority to inform travelers of their efforts to enforce security. They covered their bases and have tried their best to come out of this event strong. I especially think that the kindness expressed through social media can be transcendent and particularly necessary and positive at this time. Even Bill marriot blogged about the event, and honestly to see a CEO write a public blog post about his feelings and concerns about any event, was pretty much unheard of in the PR world, until today, today now, today social media existed.

Our deepest condolences to those who suffered in any way, shape, or form in this event. May you somehow find peace at this time.

Sheila

Social Media Specialist @ The Re Agency