As a small business owner, you probably know that social media is important, it's a no-brainer really. But do you fully understand how much it can help your business? Social media marketing may seem like an intangible thing, but it's actually crucial to the success of your small business.
That's why I'm here—to give you 6 reasons why social media is necessary for your business and show you how to get started fast!
1. Social media is a natural extension of content marketing.
Content marketing is a great way to build brand awareness, and social media can be used as a way to drive more traffic to your site and increase engagement with your audience.
2. Social media is a cost-effective way to boost sales.
Social media is an amazing tool that I use every day. You can use it to promote your business, get your message out to a wider audience, build brand awareness and create an engaging community. It's like having an army of marketers working for you 24/7!
3. Use social media to help you know your audience better.
The first thing you'll want to do is listen. Social media is a two-way street, and if you're not listening, then you're going to miss out on a lot of opportunities. Use it as a tool to learn more about your audience—what they like and dislike, what they need or want from your product or service—and adjust your strategy accordingly.
In addition to learning more about the general public, social media also gives brands the chance to connect directly with their target customers. Asking questions helps brand managers build trust with potential clients by showing that they truly care about what people think of them and their brand offerings. It also allows brands to show off their awesome company culture, the people behind the scenes, and the epic work that your business does.
Social media offers many benefits for businesses: increased traffic; better search engine optimization; increased customer satisfaction ratings; lower consumer complaint rates; higher conversion rates from website visitors into sales leads (or actual sales); lower advertising costs...the list goes on!
4. You can also use social media to build networks and partnerships.
The kinds of people you are connected with on social media will often have similar interests and goals as you, so it's easy to start conversations with them. You'll be able to network with other businesses that are in your industry, as well as people outside of it.
5. Listen to what your customers have to say, and consider their feedback.
Listening to what your customers have to say is essential if you want to be successful. Asking for feedback and responding to it will help you improve your product, service, and marketing—as well as the overall brand of your business.
Here's an example:
An online retailer that sells everything from clothing items like dresses and jeans to housewares like dishes and cutlery sets. One day, a customer posted on social media that she had received an incorrect size when ordering one of their dresses online. She thought it would be nice if her order could be exchanged or refunded so that she could get another outfit in time for a party she was planning on attending soon after receiving her first package containing two sizes too large!
As a Social Media Manager, if I was dealing with this situation, here's what I would do: First, acknowledge the customers situation and note that an error has been made. Then, reach out to the company's customer service department asking them how best they could help me fulfill this customer's request? Within 24 hours we should have a suitable solution for the customer. As soon as there is a solution, I would revert back to the customer and begin rectifying the situation. Communication is vital and allowing your audience to witness how efficiently and effectively it is handled will build the brand a great customer service reputation.
6. Social media is vital for growing your business and connecting with your audience.
One of the most important reasons social media is so necessary is because it's a great way to promote your brand. Whether you're writing copy for your website, designing videos for YouTube or posting promotional content on Instagram, social media is an affordable and direct way to get your message out there.
To grow an audience on social media means that more people are likely to hear about what you have to offer, which ultimately leads to more customers in their seats (or at least online) enjoying what they see and hear from you. The potential reach of these networks is enormous — billions of users across all platforms can see the content you post — so don't underestimate how powerful they can be when it comes time to grow your business.
Social media also helps build relationships with followers by encouraging them engage with each other as well as themselves through comments and likes/dislikes/shares etc., which gives brands an opportunity show off their personality while also building brand recognition among their target market(s).
So...
The world has gone digital, your audience is watching you, your customers are online, people are searching for your services and getting a feeling about your brand through your online presence.
Social media is an important, non-negotiable tool in your business’s marketing plan. Don’t neglect it. Learn how to use it effectively and you will be rewarded with increased sales and greater brand awareness!