Social enterprises are embracing social media and succeeding because of it according to new research from O2. The survey of more than 500 social enterprises suggests social media channels such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter will help these businesses add an average of £212,000 to their bottom line.

Nearly two thirds (64 per cent) of those questioned believe social media use will boost their sales by 15 per cent in the coming 12 to 18 months.

The survey, commissioned by O2 in partnership with the RBS SE100 Index of social enterprises, suggests that social enterprises are way ahead of more traditional small and medium enterprises in embracing social media. Two thirds (67 per cent) of social enterprises use social media in the day-to-day running of their operations, compared to one in 10 traditional small businesses.

A clear majority of social enterprises (85 per cent) use such channels to promote their products and services, with 41 per cent networking online with other organisations that share similar values. More than a third (38 per cent) also use such channels to develop ideas and thinking with other businesses.

Effective use of such new technologies is one reason that helps explain why prospects are looking increasingly positive for the UK's estimated 62,000 social enterprises - businesses that place social or environmental objectives equal to their financial ones. Of those surveyed, exactly half (50 per cent) plan to invest in their business in the coming year, whilst more than a third (35 per cent) expect to hire more staff in 2011.