Ecademy Captures Lion’s Share Of Self-employed Online Networkers

March 11, 2009 - PRLog -- The fourth Ecademy User Survey was conducted online last month by Contact Marketing & Consultancy Services and received 3,064 responses in just six days. The survey revealed that nearly two thirds of respondents were self-employed, with half of these employing up to five people. A further 11% of respondents employ up to 50 people.

The survey also revealed that 67% members of the respondents planned to increase their activity on Social Media sites. Within the BlackStar community (Ecademy’s exclusive business club for accelerated business networking) BlackStars employed more staff than those in other membership grades and were more likely to have household incomes in excess of £100,000 per year, supporting the view that online networking is serious business and can have a profound impact on the growth of many businesses in the current climate. The survey also revealed that BlackStar members of Ecademy, who pay over £1000.00 per year to access this membership level, were more committed to using Social Media now and in the future. BlackStars tend to be the early adopters and utilise the online world more effectively for business development and personal branding.

Penny Power, Founder of Ecademy believes that the survey is reflective of the wider market shift from employed to self-employed and that many more individuals will turn to online networks for support, friendship and collaboration as the recession continues to force highly skilled employees out of corporate life. The survey further reveals that 84% access Ecademy from their Home PC or laptop, showing the rising trend in people working from home. “This is the 21st Century Home Worker model, enabling reduced child care costs, increased family time and reduced travel costs and placing the responsibility of success in the hands of the individual”.

“The recession has caused many to take control of their own future and security by starting up a business, but this can be very a daunting prospect. Ecademy has focused on building a support system which is aimed directly at business owners, helping them build their online brand across the major social media sites whilst reducing the isolation that Home Working can create,” says Power.

Ecademy (www.ecademy.com) was founded in 1998 by Power, initially as a vehicle to maintain her husband’s network of contacts around the world. The site now has over 450,000 users per month and is present in over 230 countries.

“As predicted, we have seen a rise in the number of self-employed members joining. With the right support and a network of great contacts, there is no reason why more people can’t set up their own business and watch it thrive over the coming months and years,” says Power.

ENDS

Editors Notes

Ecademy Survey

The fourth Annual Ecademy User Survey was conducted online via Contact MCS between 3-9th February 2009. A total of 3,064 responses were received. All respondents were users of Ecademy.com.

Contact MCS provides professional, creative marketing support across a range of activities – taking care of everything from initial brief to final production. For more information visit www.contact-mcs.com

For a copy of the survey, please contact Rebecca King on 01603 283 506 or email Rebecca@mediajems.co.uk

About Ecademy

Ecademy connects business people all over the world, with users accessing the site from 230 countries in 2008. It is a self-development, business and branding tool, which enable business people to achieve immediate visibility. The relationships, advocates and knowledge subsequently shared through the network provides individuals with the credibility they need to grow their business.

Ecademy’s core intention is to help business people to be more successful and promotes the values of a business community who no longer wish to be broadcast to, but demand engagement and conversation.

Founded in 1998 by husband and wife team Thomas and Penny Power, Ecademy is privately owned and sustains itself through subscription, with only ten percent of Ecademy’s revenue coming from advertising and partnerships. The Ecademy business model is a classic example of a 21st Century business, operating virtually, with minimal operational costs.

For more information visit www.ecademy.com

For press information, hi res images or to arrange an interview please contact Rebecca King on 01603 283 506 or email rebecca@mediajems.co.uk