In Wave 19 (2015) of Local Commerce Monitor (LCM), our survey of small and medium businesses, 73.2% of SMBs in the full sample reported that they use social media to promote their businesses.

“SMBs are becoming more sophisticated in how they integrate social into their marketing mix,” said Steve Marshall, director of research, BIA/Kelsey. “The question is no longer ‘should I be doing more social media?’ It has now become, ‘how does social media work together with my other media and my business model?'”

Not only do they use social media, but they are willing to spend time doing so for business purposes.

• 38.0% will spend 1-4 hours per week on social media
• 28.9% will spend 5-24 hours per week on social media
• 8.9% will spend 25+ hours per week on social media

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BIA/Kelsey’s LCM, Wave 18 reports can be viewed and downloaded by clients here, or purchased a la carte in the new BIA/Kelsey eStore. Wave 19 reports coming soon.