Ever been bored on your commute to work and checked your favourite social networks on your phone? If so, you are not the only one.
The prolific rise of smartphones has led to more and more consumers accessing popular social networking sites on the move. It’s a key trend that’s only set to grow in popularity as access to smartphones and the necessary technology continue to improve.
A recent study by comScore found that in September 2011, more than 60 per cent of those surveyed posted status updates on their mobile devices.
Mobile social networking users also engaged with brands on their mobile devices, as 44.3 per cent reported reading posts from organisations, brands, or events, and a similar percentage (41.6 per cent) reported reading posts from public figures or celebrities.
This represents an interesting key shift in consumer behaviour. Social media users are more comfortable than ever before in sharing information about their lives, and also expect instantaneous access to information and purchasing no matter where they are in the world.
Travel brands in particular should also be aware the increasing trend to watch video via tablet and mobile platforms. A report by VideoMind Video Index found that, on average, tablet viewers watched videos nearly 30 per cent longer than when watching on their desktop — and were more than twice as likely to complete an entire video.
Video is known to increase conversions dramatically for travel brands. It would therefore be very worthwhile for travel brands to consider the importance of video when planning their mobile strategies.
Want to find out more? We’ll be discussing these key and more at EyeforTravel’s upcoming Social Media & Mobile Strategies for Travel conference, March 5-6, San Francisco. Click here for more info or feel free to email me – gina@eyefortravel.com .
