RENO, Nev., March 31, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --The majority of small businesses (52 percent) believe having a social media presence is important for companies, according to the Small Business Opinion Poll commissioned by EMPLOYERS(R), America's small business insurance specialist(R). The national poll also reveals that although there are nearly five million small businesses leveraging social media, that figure only accounts for 16 percent of the 29.7 million small businesses in the United States based on figures from the Small Business Administration.

A quick online search of how small businesses can generate value by integrating social media strategies to help grow their businesses yields page after page of useful tips, insights and advice for those looking to boost their marketing and customer-engagement efforts. Social media experts extol the business development benefits of social media platforms like LinkedIn(R), Facebook(R), Twitter(R), and their own Web sites and blogs. As the Internet, e-mail and mobile communications have become widespread in modern society, EMPLOYERS' small business poll indicates that a relatively low percentage of small businesses are effectively tapping these opportunities. The total still represents a significant critical mass of small businesses at 4.75 million.

Small Business Opinion Poll Snapshot:

• 52 percent believe having a social media presence is important for a company
• 59 percent of small businesses with social media presence say it has provided value to their business
  • 16 percent of all polled have a business account (representing 4,752,000 based on SBA data)
• 49 percent say that their social media presence has produced advocates for their business
• 65 percent with a social media presence say they actively use it to promote their businesses

EMPLOYERS' poll also discovered that about 7.7 million small businesses or 26 percent say they are likely to use social media channels to find information on workers' compensation insurance. And while the percentage figure is relatively low today, 7.7 million small businesses represent a significant business opportunity for insurance providers to engage small businesses on social media platforms. It also illustrates that even though the majority of small businesses believe that having a social media presence is important, many are unaware of the valuable information available to them via social media channels as it relates to business insurance and other subjects relevant to running efficient, successful businesses.

Eight important tips to consider when using social media channels:

About the Small Business Opinion Poll

The survey commissioned by EMPLOYERS sampled 500 owners or managers of small businesses with 1-99 employees. Data was collected through telephone interviews during the period November 6 - 17, 2009 at the 95% confidence level. The sample is stratified across business size and industry grouping, including manufacturing/construction, transportation/ communication, wholesale/retail, financial services, or personal/professional services businesses. The survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation.

About Employers Holdings, Inc.

Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EIG) is a holding company with subsidiaries that are specialty providers of workers' compensation insurance and services focused on select small businesses engaged in low-to-medium hazard industries. The company, through its subsidiaries, operates throughout the United States. Insurance is offered by Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, and Employers Assurance Company, all rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Additional information can be found at: http://www.employers.com.

Copyright© 2010 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved. EMPLOYERS(R) and America's small business insurance specialist.(R) are registered trademarks of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada.

SOURCE Employers Holdings, Inc.