Social Media and Investor Relations Trends, Best Practices and RecommendationsJuly 16, 2009Presented by: Darrell HeapsCo-Founder & CEOQ4 Web Systems darrellh@q4websystems.comwww.twitter.com/darrellheaps

About Q4 Web SystemsWeb platform to manage IR websites and communications Complete CMS with workflow and collaboration Customizable best practice templatesDetailed website records and audit trailSocial media and XBRL integrationwww.q4websystems.com

AgendaKey TrendsFinancial social networks and blogsCompanies using social media todaySteps to get startedMonitoringRisks

Key Trends

SEC guidance on Reg. FDCorporate websites and blogs seen as fair disclosure (under certain circumstances)Support for shareholder forumsOpens the door to the web and social media for communications

Source: Universal McCann Wave 3 & Nielsen Online reporthttp://bit.ly/11il0Y Social Media is the dominant channel

Websites used consistently Source: Rivel Research

Source: Ernst & YoungAnalysts coverage is lacking

Source: E&Y – Global IPO UpdateCompetition for capital is fierce

So what does this all mean?The web and social media is where the market isTraditional channels are no longer effective on their ownCompanies who utilize these channels are able to differentiate and compete more effectively for capital

Financial Social Networks and Blog Examples

Financial blogs and social networks Largest financial blog aggregator Partnered with Yahoo!FinanceTrading social network. Based on Twitter.Wiki finance portal. Social interactive data.

A tour of how investors are using the webhttp://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=ABXhttp://seekingalpha.com/symbol/abx?source=refreshedhttp://stocktwits.com/t/ABXhttp://www.whalewisdom.com/stock/view/ABXhttp://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Barrick_Gold_(ABX)/Data?ref=topnav#keyMetrics

Companies using social media and blogs today

Companies using social media and blogsTwitter being used to notify of updatesBlogs are not prevalent – a handful doing a great jobFacebook being used for marketing and HRFacebook dominant for sharingSlideshare and content networks

Companies using social media

Companies using social media

Companies using social media

ShareThis and Facebook

SlideShare and other content networks100s of IR presentations on slideshareMajority not direct from companiesCompanies should be publishing to establish “voice of authority”http://www.slideshare.net/category/investor-relations

5 Steps to getting started with social IR web

5 Steps to getting started with social IR web

IR Website Best PracticesThe IR website must be viewed as the primary channelSelf-publishing control allows you to be strategicEase of use, accessibility and transparent communication“Why invest?”

Create compelling content Press ReleasesEvents Reports PresentationsVideosEtc

Make Your Content Social and include on your websiteUpload your content to social content networks and then embed your site + provide RSS feeds for News, events and presentationsVideos to YouTubePowerPoint's on SlideShareDocuments on docstocPhotos on Flickr

Use Twitter Like A Notice NewswireTweet about news, events and presentations and link to IR websiteManually post updates and/or use RSS feeds to automateStart small, learn and expand conversations over time

Monitor and Evolve‘Listen’ to the web and be alerted whenever your company or related issues are being mentionedGoogle Alerts and other free tools (http://search.twitter.com, http://socialmention.com) are easy ways to start the process Identify trends and head off problems early, minimize value erosion (AMD example) More to come in future webinar

What are the risks and how to manage?

What Are the Risks?Disclosure of material information should follow Reg.FD guidelines All social channels must be treated the same as traditional channels (disclosure controls) Only previously disclosed information should be sharedRisks are from innocent updates in social networks – travel exampleSocial media policy and training

Questions and AnswersSubmit using GoToMeeting

Summer 09 - Social IR Website Investor homepageWhy Invest with YouTube VideoAGM slides via slideshareAR via docstocXBRL financialshttp://www.q4websystems.com/Products/Overview/default.aspx

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