American Business Media, an association of business information providers, has announced the availability of a new whitepaper that helps B2B media companies leverage Web 2.0 and social media tactics and technologies. Created by ABM's Media Marketing Committee, the whitepaper is entitled "Leveraging Web 2.0 for B2B Media - Ideas & Best Practices,". It focuses on education for those B2B media executives who are not familiar with many of the latest Web 2.0 applications or whose companies have been slow to implement them.
A survey of ABM members, in conjunction with the whitepaper, shows that only 15 percent consider themselves 'pros' on the latest Web 2.0 technology, while 54 percent say they are actively trying to learn more. The same survey shows some interesting statistics in regards to how B2B media companies use Web 2.0 and social media tactics. According to the survey, the main purpose of B2B media websites is to increase reader engagement, followed closely by generating advertising revenue.
It was observed that executives with 20-plus years of industry experience - the leaders of many B2B media companies - are far less familiar with Web 2.0 tactics and technology than less-experienced executives. The survey noted that small-sized companies are significantly more familiar with Web 2.0 tactics and technology than their medium- and large-sized competitors. It was also found that respondents rank video, search content archives, and forums/discussion boards most successful at achieving their main goal of increasing reader engagement.
The whitepaper contains definitions and examples of various Web 2.0 tactics used by B2B media companies, including blogs, forums, podcasts, social networking, social bookmarking, video and wikis. It also contains a glossary of Web 2.0 terms and websites.
