Email marketing company Constant Contact recently released its Fall 2011 Attitudes and Outlook survey, which revealed increased small business social media engagement compared to its spring report, BtoB Online reports.

While respondents still rely heavily on in-person interactions, it's clear that small business owners are becoming more comfortable with social media marketing as an effective outlet to engage in B2B conversation.

Specifically, 81 percent of the nearly 2,000 small company owners surveyed reported using such platforms to market their businesses, an 8 percent increase from the spring. The rise may be due to the 45 percent who stated social media tasks don't take much time to accomplish, this despite time being cited as a "significant barrier" to adoption just six months ago.

Facebook remains the top marketing tool, however, Twitter use increased from 47 percent to 60 percent. It was also noted that marketers are becoming more involved with all aspects of social media, as 60 percent stated they respond to customers and prospects who post comments on the platforms.

Social media is being utilized more often on the other side as well, as 51 percent noted that their customers use the channels – up from 38 percent previously. 

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