There might be something to all this social media marketing stuff after all (Small Business E-commerce Link Digest – May 21, 2010)

Ah, Friday! What better time to look at what’s going on and what works around the web? No better time at all, I say. So, let’s see what folks are saying about social this fine Friday, shall we?

• Leading off we’ve got this great article on (my new favorite blog name) “Shannon Paul’s Very Official Blog” with a list of 8 ways to integrate social media and online advertising. Excellent analysis by Shannon on using social as part of a broader marketing strategy.
• One of the most common questions I get is how much time you should spend on social media marketing. And while I like to joke, “How much time have you got?” Social Media Examiner offers a much better answer with this great study showing time vs. return for social media marketing. So, how much time are companies spending? According to the study:
  

  “Unlike some other traditional forms of marketing, when it comes to social media, your investment is more time than money…

  When drilling down to the actual hours spent using social media tools, the largest group was in the 1 to 5 hours per week range.”

  Most of the study participants were on the high-end of that 1-5 hour range. But, clearly, companies can receive benefits without having to mortgage the farm.

• What are some of the things you can do in social media to get the greatest benefit? Learn from the masters for one. Social Media Examiner also has a great interview with Starbucks’ Director of Digital Strategy, Alex Wheeler, on how to engage millions of Facebook fans.
• Finally, in case you think social is only for large businesses, Mashable offers 5 surprising social media business success stories. And what’s better than that to end your week?

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