Affluents are more likely to use social media to look at brands, rather than to commit to a relationship with them.  New Unity Marketing report shows marketers ways to make the connection.

Marketers are abuzz with the possibilities of social networking.  In a new survey among 1,614 affluent luxury consumers (avg. income $239.3k), some 78 percent of affluent consumers have at least one social networking profile (usually on Facebook).  From the marketers' point of view, social networking sites seem the logical place to close sales.

However, expecting to generate sales with a Facebook page is a misunderstanding of how affluents actually use social media, says Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of the new trend report on the luxury market, How the Affluent Luxury Consumer Uses the Internet and Social Media: An In-Depth.

"Affluent consumers have flocked to social media, but they use it as one more tool to gather information to make purchase decisions," says Danziger.  "Smart marketers will tap the interactivity of these sites to reach out to affluent consumers, ask for their input, and really listen to what these consumers need in order to decide to make a purchase."

Some key findings of the report include:

• Social media isn't just for the young.  Some 70 percent of affluent consumers over age 40 have at least one social media profile.
• About half of affluents have used a social media site to connect with a brand, such as viewing new products or commenting on a brand.  However, only one in four have 'friended' a luxury brand.
• Affluents are more likely to use social media to look at brands rather than to commit to a relationship with them.

"The findings of our research are clear.  Social media is most valuable to luxury marketers as a way to listen to their customers, not about finding another channel through which to sell to them," says Danziger.  "Luxury brands can't afford to be deaf to what customers are saying.  This report provides the latest research on how affluent luxury shoppers are using the internet and social media to shop and learn about brands.  It shows marketers how affluents are using social media today in order to teach marketers how to listen more effectively and how to act on what they hear."

As for the future of luxury brands on social media like Facebook, Danziger advises luxury brands, "Building and maintaining a relationship with your affluent customers is critical.  Brands need to think of the social networking aspect of their own websites.  They don't need to have a Facebook page to 'friend' an affluent shopper.  Brands can friend their customers through positive and supportive online interaction on the company's primary website."

About Pam Danziger and Unity Marketing

Pamela N. Danziger is an internationally recognized expert specializing in consumer insights, especially for marketers and retailers that sell luxury goods and experiences to the masses as well as the 'classes.' She is president of Unity Marketing, a marketing consulting firm she founded in 1992.

Advising such clients as PPR, Diageo, Waterford-Wedgwood, Google, Lenox, Swarovski, GM, Constellation Wines, Luxottica, Orient-Express Hotels, Italian Trade Commission, Marie Claire magazine, The World Gold Council, and The Conference Board,  Pam taps consumer psychology to help clients navigate the changing consumer marketplace.

www.unitymarketingonline.com