Listening can lead to the following benefits:
Help identify influencers. By monitoring what is being said about X online, you will be able to identify thought leaders who consistently blog, tweet, and post valuable content for your target audience.
Identify opportunities. This is sort of obvious, but if your company is not listening, there will be missed opportunities in product development, customer service marketing, and on and on.
Develop your personas. Many marketers know that all effective strategies are targeted towards specific personas. Smart marketers know that personas are more than simply titles. By listening to what is being said only, you may be able to flesh out issues, pain points, interests, and goals that will add more life into your personas.