Social Behavior

Social Behavior: A Snapshot of the Economic Development Profession’s Embrace of Social Media

In partnership with the International Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), DCI conducted the following survey focusing on the use of social media within economic development organizations. For the purposes of the survey, social media is defined as online tools that allow groups of people to interact with one another by exchanging content, opinions and insight.

IEDC members were invited to participate in the survey via e-mail on September 9, 2009. In total, 307 participants responded. The key findings include:

• Of the organizations that participated in the survey, only 57% are currently using social media within their communication efforts.
• Economic Developers favor using social media to communicate with individuals within their own region.
• LinkedIn is considered the most valuable social media tool in economic development marketing.
• Economic Developers expect social media to become a major component of their marketing efforts in the next three years.

Feel free to view the survey and its findings below.