IT contractors are likely to see an increasing number of employers asking them to help to incorporate social media into their IT networks.

According to Tim Gibbon, co-founder and editor of the Social Media Portal, the number of firms looking to engage with social media marketing and public relations is increasing.

Both companies and agencies are now keen to show what returns can be made on the investment, but measuring this has been difficult, Mr Gibbon added.

"At this time, with so many promotional channels that social media touches, a multi-layered approach may be a prudent way to at least ensure that the right type of data and information is sourced," he added.

Mr Gibbons concluded by saying that the true skill involved with digital marketing was how to incorporate brand products and ideas naturally into ideas.

Recently published research by Econsultancy has found that 81 per cent of companies market themselves on Twitter, while 78 per cent do so on Facebook.