A summary of 130 responses received to our first annual FredNMT Social Business Survey. Our goal was to discover how people in Frederick County (MD) use social media and technology for business and professional development. (Please note: personally identifying information has been removed from this report.)

1. FredNMT 2012 Social Business Survey
1. Where do you use the internet? (Check all that apply.)
Response Response
Percent Count
Home computer 94.6% 123
Work/office computer 78.5% 102
Tablet (iPad or similar) 27.7% 36
Smartphone (iPhone, Android, or
60.8% 79
similar)
Other (please specify)
6.2% 8
answered question 130
skipped question 0
2. How often do you use the following devices?
Can't
I don't
live Rating Response
use it at Rarely Sometimes Frequently
without Average Count
all
it
8.9% 27.6%
Desktop computer 5.7% (7) 12.2% (15) 45.5% (56) 2.77 123
(11) (34)
9.0% 39.3%
Laptop computer 4.9% (6) 10.7% (13) 36.1% (44) 2.92 122
(11) (48)
58.8% 10.3%
Tablet (iPad or similar) 4.1% (4) 9.3% (9) 17.5% (17) 1.16 97
(57) (10)
Smartphone (iPhone, Android, or 23.1% 53.8%
2.6% (3) 5.1% (6) 15.4% (18) 2.74 117
similar) (27) (63)
answered question 130
skipped question 0
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2. 3. When searching for information about local businesses and the local community, how
often do you use the following sources?
Rating Response
Never Rarely Monthly Weekly Daily
Average Count
21.8% 29.8% 21.0% 21.8%
Newspaper (print) 5.6% (7) 1.91 124
(27) (37) (26) (27)
15.7% 26.4% 14.0% 24.0% 19.8%
Newspaper (website) 2.06 121
(19) (32) (17) (29) (24)
28.8% 30.4% 10.4% 10.4% 20.0%
Local TV station (broadcast) 1.62 125
(36) (38) (13) (13) (25)
39.2% 41.7% 10.0%
Local TV station (website) 4.2% (5) 5.0% (6) 0.94 120
(47) (50) (12)
21.8% 22.6% 18.5% 28.2%
Local radio station (broadcast) 8.9% (11) 2.09 124
(27) (28) (23) (35)
49.2% 33.3%
Local radio station (website) 9.2% (11) 5.0% (6) 3.3% (4) 0.80 120
(59) (40)
45.1% 27.0% 14.8% 10.7%
Local blog 2.5% (3) 0.98 122
(55) (33) (18) (13)
21.0% 24.4% 19.3% 29.4%
Other local website 5.9% (7) 1.75 119
(25) (29) (23) (35)
23.5% 27.8% 21.7% 19.1%
Email newsletter 7.8% (9) 1.60 115
(27) (32) (25) (22)
A person/organization you follow on 26.7% 21.7% 10.8% 16.7% 24.2%
1.90 120
a social media site (32) (26) (13) (20) (29)
Word-of-mouth (family, friends, co- 12.2% 13.8% 39.0% 31.7%
3.3% (4) 2.84 123
workers, neighbors) (15) (17) (48) (39)
Internet search engine (i.e., Google, 25.0% 64.8%
0.8% (1) 2.3% (3) 7.0% (9) 3.51 128
Bing, Yahoo!) (32) (83)
answered question 130
skipped question 0
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3. 4. How often do you engage in the following activities online?
Rating Response
Never Rarely Monthly Weekly Daily
Average Count
Social networking (i.e., Facebook, 16.2% 13.1% 60.8%
6.9% (9) 3.1% (4) 2.95 130
Twitter, LinkedIn) (21) (17) (79)
22.2% 27.8% 19.0% 23.8%
Read blogs 7.1% (9) 1.94 126
(28) (35) (24) (30)
54.4% 19.2% 11.2%
Use an RSS feed reader 5.6% (7) 9.6% (12) 1.02 125
(68) (24) (14)
49.2% 27.4% 11.3% 12.1%
Comment on a blog 0.0% (0) 0.86 124
(61) (34) (14) (15)
72.8% 15.2%
Maintain or update a personal blog 4.8% (6) 5.6% (7) 1.6% (2) 0.48 125
(91) (19)
68.3% 11.9% 13.5%
Maintain or update a company blog 4.0% (5) 2.4% (3) 0.70 126
(86) (15) (17)
43.2% 24.8% 14.4% 12.0%
Listen to podcasts or other audio 5.6% (7) 1.12 125
(54) (31) (18) (15)
25.4% 18.3% 38.1% 11.9%
Watch videos 6.3% (8) 2.24 126
(32) (23) (48) (15)
48.8% 26.4% 14.4%
Create and share videos 8.0% (10) 2.4% (3) 0.89 125
(61) (33) (18)
10.2% 15.7% 32.3% 39.4%
View photos 2.4% (3) 2.96 127
(13) (20) (41) (50)
16.0% 15.2% 18.4% 36.0% 14.4%
Create and share photos 2.18 125
(20) (19) (23) (45) (18)
Search for information in forums or 14.3% 15.9% 19.8% 34.9% 15.1%
2.21 126
help sites (18) (20) (25) (44) (19)
37.6% 33.6% 14.4% 11.2%
Contribute to online forum 3.2% (4) 1.09 125
(47) (42) (18) (14)
19.7% 27.6% 37.0%
Read customer reviews 9.4% (12) 6.3% (8) 2.11 127
(25) (35) (47)
35.4% 38.6% 19.7%
Write a product review/rating 3.9% (5) 2.4% (3) 0.99 127
(45) (49) (25)
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4. answered question 130
skipped question 0
5. Are you permitted to use social media at work?
Response Response
Percent Count
Yes, with no limitations 26.2% 34
Yes, with some restrictions 24.6% 32
No 29.2% 38
Not sure 10.8% 14
Other (please specify)
9.2% 12
answered question 130
skipped question 0
6. Does your company have a social media policy?
Response Response
Percent Count
Yes 51.5% 67
No 22.3% 29
Not sure 26.2% 34
answered question 130
skipped question 0
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5. 7. Does your company offer any of the following social media training opportunities? (Check
all that apply.)
Response Response
Percent Count
In-house (internal) training 63.2% 36
O f f -site conferences and/or
49.1% 28
seminars
Online training and/or webinars 66.7% 38
Other (please specify)
12
answered question 57
skipped question 73
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6. 8. How often do you use the following social media for business or professional
development?
Rating Response
Never Rarely Monthly Weekly Daily
Average Count
40.3% 14.0% 14.7% 26.4%
Facebook 4.7% (6) 1.73 129
(52) (18) (19) (34)
61.7% 21.9%
Twitter 5.5% (7) 5.5% (7) 5.5% (7) 1.20 128
(79) (28)
47.7% 10.2% 19.5% 14.1%
LinkedIn 8.6% (11) 1.42 128
(61) (13) (25) (18)
41.5% 20.8% 10.0% 14.6% 13.1%
Google+ 1.37 130
(54) (27) (13) (19) (17)
46.5% 22.8% 15.0% 12.6%
YouTube or Vimeo 3.1% (4) 1.03 127
(59) (29) (19) (16)
81.7% 14.3%
Yelp 2.4% (3) 0.8% (1) 0.8% (1) 0.25 126
(103) (18)
80.3% 10.2%
Flickr 3.1% (4) 5.5% (7) 0.8% (1) 0.36 127
(102) (13)
82.8%
Pinterest 7.0% (9) 2.3% (3) 4.7% (6) 3.1% (4) 0.38 128
(106)
89.8%
StumbleUpon 6.3% (8) 1.6% (2) 1.6% (2) 0.8% (1) 0.17 127
(114)
89.8%
Delicious 5.5% (7) 3.1% (4) 1.6% (2) 0.0% (0) 0.16 128
(115)
86.6%
Foursquare 7.9% (10) 2.4% (3) 1.6% (2) 1.6% (2) 0.24 127
(110)
89.1%
Instagram 6.3% (8) 1.6% (2) 3.1% (4) 0.0% (0) 0.19 128
(114)
96.1%
Path 3.9% (5) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.04 128
(123)
89.7%
Tumblr 7.1% (9) 0.8% (1) 1.6% (2) 0.8% (1) 0.17 126
(113)
86.6%
Blogger 6.3% (8) 0.0% (0) 4.7% (6) 2.4% (3) 0.30 127
(110)
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7. 93.8%
Posterous 5.5% (7) 0.0% (0) 0.8% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.08 128
(120)
77.0% 11.1%
Blog (self-hosted or WordPress) 3.2% (4) 6.3% (8) 2.4% (3) 0.59 126
(97) (14)
34.1% 13.5% 28.6% 14.3%
Email newsletter 9.5% (12) 1.52 126
(43) (17) (36) (18)
answered question 130
skipped question 0
9. In 2012, how much time will you commit to using social media for business and
professional development?
Response Response
Percent Count
MORE time than last year 43.4% 56
LESS time than last year 5.4% 7
SAME amount of time as last year 27.9% 36
NOT SURE 23.3% 30
answered question 129
skipped question 1
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8. 10. What type of return do you see on your use of social media for business and
professional development?
Response Response
Percent Count
POSITIVE return on investment 43.4% 56
NEGATIVE return on investment 4.7% 6
NEUTRAL or no return 30.2% 39
NOT SURE 21.7% 28
answered question 129
skipped question 1
11. What is your (or your company's) primary goal for using social media this year?
Response Response
Percent Count
Advance organization's mission 15.7% 18
Promote product or service 23.5% 27
Collaborate and connect with
24.3% 28
colleagues and customers
Learning and professional
12.2% 14
development
Research purchase decisions 6.1% 7
Find local stores and service
5.2% 6
providers
Other (please specify)
13.0% 15
answered question 115
skipped question 15
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9. 12. My age group is:
Response Response
Percent Count
Generation Y (born 1980-1995) 20.8% 27
Generation X (born 1965-1979) 33.1% 43
Baby Boomer (born 1946-1964) 40.8% 53
Silent Generation (born 1925-1945) 5.4% 7
answered question 130
skipped question 0
13. My primary job function is:
Response Response
Percent Count
Owner/Executive 13.4% 17
Management 15.7% 20
Marketing/Communications 16.5% 21
Sales/Development 7.1% 9
HR 0.8% 1
Administrative 12.6% 16
Other (please specify)
33.9% 43
answered question 127
skipped question 3
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10. Q1. Where do you use the internet? (Check all that apply.)
1 Kindle Feb 7, 2012 11:31 AM
2 Library, McDonald's, Workforce Business Employment Center; Feb 3, 2012 10:14 PM
3 library Feb 3, 2012 8:21 AM
4 library.frederick workforce.relative Feb 2, 2012 8:46 PM
5 Library Feb 2, 2012 7:25 PM
6 library Feb 2, 2012 5:38 PM
7 field rep - use in car Feb 2, 2012 5:10 PM
8 Blu-ray Jan 30, 2012 11:41 AM
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11. Q5. Are you permitted to use social media at work?
1 yes - I am a self-employed freelancer Feb 9, 2012 9:12 AM
2 N/A Feb 8, 2012 1:09 PM
3 only 1 person in company Feb 6, 2012 10:41 AM
4 second career-Retired Feb 3, 2012 10:50 PM
5 currently unemployed Feb 3, 2012 8:21 AM
6 I work at home. Feb 2, 2012 7:17 PM
7 Not employed Feb 2, 2012 6:39 PM
8 N/A Feb 2, 2012 6:22 PM
9 NA- retired Feb 2, 2012 5:23 PM
10 unemployed Feb 2, 2012 5:18 PM
11 I can but employee's are blocked Feb 2, 2012 11:33 AM
12 not currently employed Jan 31, 2012 11:48 PM
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12. Q7. Does your company offer any of the following social media training opportunities? (Check all that apply.)
1 again - self-employed Feb 9, 2012 9:12 AM
2 don't know Feb 4, 2012 3:19 PM
3 own my own business Feb 4, 2012 6:16 AM
4 retired Feb 3, 2012 10:50 PM
5 NONE Feb 3, 2012 10:14 PM
6 Not Sure Feb 3, 2012 8:06 AM
7 no Feb 3, 2012 6:51 AM
8 No Feb 2, 2012 8:02 PM
9 no Feb 2, 2012 7:57 PM
10 I don't work for a company. Feb 2, 2012 7:17 PM
11 Not employed Feb 2, 2012 6:39 PM
12 not sure Feb 2, 2012 5:48 PM
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13. Q11. What is your (or your company's) primary goal for using social media this year?
1 company doesnt use social media Feb 17, 2012 11:35 AM
2 I don't use social media Feb 8, 2012 1:09 PM
3 retired Feb 3, 2012 10:50 PM
4 find a job Feb 3, 2012 5:41 PM
5 don't have it Feb 3, 2012 4:10 PM
6 n/a Feb 3, 2012 3:51 PM
7 Socializing/reconnecting with old friends Feb 3, 2012 9:55 AM
8 not sure Feb 3, 2012 8:12 AM
9 Get to know the personal side of colleagues Feb 3, 2012 8:06 AM
10 don't know Feb 3, 2012 6:51 AM
11 jobs Feb 2, 2012 8:11 PM
12 Connecting w colleagues, researching current studies, learning. Feb 2, 2012 7:17 PM
13 don't use social media for promotion Feb 2, 2012 6:22 PM
14 i don't use it Feb 2, 2012 5:48 PM
15 None Feb 2, 2012 5:24 PM
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14. Q13. My primary job function is:
1 child, youth, program assistant Feb 17, 2012 11:35 AM
2 Staff RN Feb 13, 2012 9:04 PM
3 Nurse Feb 10, 2012 3:28 AM
4 Publishing (Editorial) Feb 9, 2012 9:12 AM
5 Certified Dental Assistant Feb 9, 2012 8:39 AM
6 Photovoltaic Installation Feb 8, 2012 1:09 PM
7 CNA Feb 6, 2012 9:31 PM
8 healthcare Feb 5, 2012 2:08 PM
9 Provide direct psychiatric services to patients Feb 4, 2012 3:19 PM
10 retired Feb 3, 2012 10:50 PM
11 RN Feb 3, 2012 7:43 PM
12 bsbsfb Feb 3, 2012 4:10 PM
13 technical Feb 3, 2012 3:51 PM
14 Editorial Feb 3, 2012 11:01 AM
15 Retail Sales Clerk Feb 3, 2012 9:55 AM
16 Professional Development of Nurses Feb 3, 2012 9:46 AM
17 Technical Feb 3, 2012 9:31 AM
18 Volunteer Retiree Feb 3, 2012 9:29 AM
19 currently unemployed Feb 3, 2012 8:21 AM
20 Office employee Feb 3, 2012 8:12 AM
21 trades Feb 3, 2012 7:15 AM
22 grunt Feb 3, 2012 6:51 AM
23 want to start my own business Feb 2, 2012 10:31 PM
24 IT Feb 2, 2012 10:26 PM
25 Library associate/customer service Feb 2, 2012 10:03 PM
26 support Feb 2, 2012 8:46 PM
27 childhood education Feb 2, 2012 8:38 PM
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15. Q13. My primary job function is:
28 IT Feb 2, 2012 8:37 PM
29 graphic design/photography Feb 2, 2012 7:44 PM
30 I am a writer. I work for a publishing company. Feb 2, 2012 7:17 PM
31 not employed Feb 2, 2012 6:39 PM
32 retired Feb 2, 2012 6:22 PM
33 service/cgna Feb 2, 2012 5:59 PM
34 Student Feb 2, 2012 5:40 PM
35 Technical Feb 2, 2012 5:38 PM
36 teacher Feb 2, 2012 5:37 PM
37 Environmental, Health, and Safety Feb 2, 2012 5:27 PM
38 retired Feb 2, 2012 5:27 PM
39 Research / scientific Feb 2, 2012 5:24 PM
40 retired nurse administrator Feb 2, 2012 5:23 PM
41 insurance adjuster Feb 2, 2012 5:10 PM
42 Estimating Assist. Manager Feb 2, 2012 5:06 PM
43 Nurse Educator Feb 2, 2012 4:55 PM
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