Can social networks help with medical research? It started in 2009, when 23andMe decided to do genetic research and invited anyone diagnosed with Parkinson’s to donate their DNA sample. The company recruited people using social media, and at Parkinson’s research conferences. Past Parkinson’s research has examined families with many members who had the disease, with a focus on finding specific genes that may dramatically increase one’s risk of getting Parkinson’s. Around 1 million people in the U.S. MORE >>

Whatever the case then might be, it’s vital for brands to reach and engage with the right group of people to both expand their fan base and possibility of increasing in-store purchasing. In their research brief “Staring at the Sun: Identifying, Understanding and Influencing Social Media Users” , Aimia has developed a segmentation model describing six distinct US social media personas which may be useful for all marketers involved in a brand’s social presence. But who is this social customer? Social media personas. As seen below, the report is also turned into an infographic. MORE >>

This is known by many as Keyword Research. It is this keyword research that has allowed me to get 981,000 unique organic search visitors to a 3 month old website, grow blogs faster than I ever thought was possible and – more than anything – allowed me to be free from a boss and the 9-5 grind. say this because I want you to understand how important keyword research actually is. You may know one or two places where keyword research can be applied, such as in deciding on a keyphrase to build an affiliate website around or when generating blog post ideas. MORE >>

Equivalent Research Value. According to a Google source, the cost breakdown for market research is as follows (all figures shown are minimums): Eight person focus group = $6,000 ($750/participant). Let’s say a company decides to use Facebook as a market research tool. That would be the equivalent of 230 interviews or roughly 78 focus groups. Consequently, by asking your Facebook fans to participate in your market research program, you are potentially generating $18,400 worth of equivalent research value. Quantitative interviews = $80. MORE >>

Generation X, those who were born between 1961 and 1981, are a group of people marketers are trying to reach. Nate Elliott, Principal Analyst of Forrester Research told me what he thought effective social marketing strategies are for this generation. We also discuss how marketers are feeling they are doing in some aspects of today’s social world and that is discouraging news–based on new research marketers flunked themselves–giving a grade of 4.5 Generation X, those who were born between 1961 and 1981, are a group of people marketers are trying to reach. MORE >>