If you’re planning or evaluating any form of social media activity, then it’s worth taking a look at eMarketer’s summary of a recently released research report examining which marketing uses of Facebook and Twitter are working best. Bottom of the list is the use of Twitter to drive direct sales.

About three in ten (35%) adult internet users age 18 and older have a profile on a social networking site like MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn. Half (50%) of adult social network users age 18 and older are on MySpace, while 22% of adult social network users have an account on Facebook. More from A. Pew Internet and American Life Project.

According to the report, Global Faces and Networked Places , last year, the 55-64 crowd made up nearly twice the number of people under 18 who joined facebook. Let me say that again: People aged 55-64 numbered nearly twice the under-18-year-olds who joined facebook. And the fastest growing group was aged 35-49.

So, I’ve been working on a Facebook thing. Facebook has just hit 350 million users. Research shows that more and more people are using their social networks  -- in the U.S. this means Facebook -- as a one-stop-shop for sharing links, video, and photos, and being in touch with their circle. Tags: facebook

If you haven’t perused the Nonprofit Social Network Survey Report by NTEN, ThePort and Common Knowledge, here’s what you’ve missed: Social Networking Presence Facebook is still used by more nonprofits than any other commercial social network with 86% of nonprofits indicating that they have a presence on this network. in 2009 to 48.1%

This past week, I’ve been privileged to be on a couple panels introducing nonprofit organizations to social media tools like Twitter, Facebook, and Linked in. So building up a large base of Twitter followers or Facebook fans may make your nonprofit may seem even more credible in the eyes of your local donors. Research 2.

You do research—either directly with audience members (surveys, interviews, or focus groups) or through online resources (like those listed below) that can help you draw a more generalized picture of your target markets. The internet is a wonderland of free, DIY audience research tools. Flickr/3fold. My advice–don’t.

But in the case of individuals, instead of the White Pages, I use Facebook and Linkedin. This has me thinking, is Facebook the new phonebook? mean, with 200 million + members, is Facebook quickly becoming our collective resource for research on new friends, family and colleagues? Tags: Facebook big thoughts

There is a lot of great writing and research out there, by people like Beth Kanter and Rachel Happe , about finding the right social media metrics for nonprofit organizations. You might have 59,0097 fans on Facebook (kudos!), More: Can You Reach Your Core Arts Patrons on Facebook? I guess I didn’t get that point across!

soundtrack based on each of the four steps: Research. Today, we’ll start with fundraising Step #1: Research. What songs would you suggest for Step #1: Research? tweet me suggestions, blip me suggestions, Facebook suggestions, or. Today marks the 2nd anniversary of Ask Without Fear! being on Amazon! Engage.