The third Intelliflo survey into broker social media activity showed 70% of its Intelligent Office software users using social media for business purposes, up from 58% in 2014 and 61% in 2015.

LinkedIn has jumped up the ranking, with 60% actively using it in 2016 compared to just 53% in 2015.  Twitter usage is also up from 35% to 40% in 2016. Facebook has also increased in popularity with 36% now using it compared to just 25% in 2015.

Google+ is still the least popular at just 6%, which is up slightly compared to 4% in 2015 and 2014.

Most used the social channels in a bid to attract clients and be seen to be keeping up with modern methods of communication. Others, or 50% up from 41% last year, said they use it to help with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and 42% reportedly keep up to date with news and events. A significant number – 46% up from 37% in 2015 – also use it to communicate with clients.

However, 30% of advisers have never even tried to use social media, citing the lack of time and resources to devote to it or questioning its relevance for their business.

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Nick Eatock, Intelliflo’s executive chairman, said: “It’s interesting to see how use of social media is increasing with advisers year-on-year and there’s no doubt in my mind that, done correctly, there are tangible business benefits to be gained. However, it does require a strategy, governance and resources to be effective and that’s clearly a barrier for some businesses currently.”

Intelliflo has prepared a social media guide which is free for advisers to download here.

Regular Mortgage Solutions blogger Emma Coffey from Goldsmiths Williams also offers a variety of top tips and strategies on how to use Twitter for your business.