This is the first of a three part look into how social media is impacting consumers buying patterns.

The Industrial Revolution ushered in fundamental changes in agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, economic policies and social structure in England between the years 1760 and 1850, and the world was propelled forward in monumental ways.

It’s 2011, and the world is already in the midst of another revolution – one that is likely to enact greater changes in a much shorter span of time. It’s the Social Media Revolution, and it’s here to stay.

Here are some statistics to show just how deeply enmeshed social media is in our society – and bear in mind, it only became part a mainstream part of society about five years ago:

As media becomes more and more fragmented, synergizing your television and Internet presence is even more critical when trying to maximize your ROI and develop significant brand depth.

Here are some tips about how you can ensure you get the most return from your marketing budget: