If you’re a business owner, consider using social media marketing to help your business grow. You don’t need to be a marketing expert to know that social media is very popular among consumers. And because of mobile technology, social media is now everywhere.
Only got a minute to spare? This quick video on social media marketing will speed things up!
Mobile device users have easy access to social media sites and they’re active on social platforms. Mobile apps allow consumers to check their feeds multiple times daily. Plus aside from sharing the latest details about their lives, mobile users are looking up products and services, as well as researching about companies or brands.
For businesses then, having a social media presence improves their chances of getting found when someone searches for something online. This is why it’s important for the small business owner to understand what social media is and how to use it effectively.
What is Social Media Marketing?
Social media marketing (SMM) is a component of Internet marketing that uses social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, among others) as marketing tools. It consists of the social sharing of content such as articles, images, and videos to help businesses increase brand awareness plus expand their customer reach.
Benefits of Using Social Media Marketing
Every marketer recognizes the widespread use of social media among consumers. In fact, this popularity is why social media reaches all ages and demographics. But compared to traditional marketing, advertising on social media is much cheaper.
As business owners, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to grow your business and here’s why…
Because social media platforms encourage two-way communication, it’s a lot easier to learn more about your audience, their perception of your business and industry.
These platforms give consumers a voice, giving them a chance to air their views, concerns about your products and services.
Since social media websites allow businesses to deliver the latest information on anything from products, services and events, these sites are becoming the default place for many consumers who want to know more about a business.
In 2012, The Canadian Press reported that in 2011 47.4 percent of Canadians used social media networks. That number was expected to rise to 53 per cent in 2014. We expect this number to be much larger in 2018.
In 2016, The Pew Research Center reported that 62 percent of U.S adults get their news from social media. And if the recent debacle with the U.S elections was any indication, this is a big deal!
Additionally, search engines can index social media sites. That’s another way for your business to show up as the answer when someone with a specific problem is looking online for a solution.
Your business probably has the goal of providing excellent customer service as one of its priorities, right? The two-way communication that social media provides offers a great opportunity to improve your level of customer service, acknowledge and recognize your audience’s concerns.
Social Media Marketing Goals
The most crucial part of a social media marketing strategy is setting goals. Remember SMART? Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based.
These goals shouldn’t focus solely on return on investment (ROI). Social media marketing is more about audience engagement and providing solutions rather than selling. Revenue is only a result of doing a good job with the first two.
Your goals can include things like increasing website traffic, generating leads, building social communities and expanding brand recognition.
Social Media Strategy
To reap the benefits of social media marketing, you need to create a clear strategy that factors in your business objectives, ideal customers and competition.
'Customize your strategy to fit the unique needs of your business.'Click To TweetA well-planned social media strategy encourages meaningful relationships to prosper between businesses and its customers. But first, you must target the right people. The best way to do this is to create buyer personas.
A good strategy also involves looking at your competitors to see what works and what doesn’t. Look at what social networks they’re active on and what types of posts get the most engagement.
Various social media marketing sites will need different techniques or tactics, so develop a unique strategy customized for each platform. What works for Facebook won’t necessarily work for Instagram.
Being a micro-platform, Twitter poses a lot of challenges for the social media marketer. While it also has a focus on images, you can’t be sure that the same messages will work on Pinterest and Instagram audiences.
'Remember that each social platform has its own unique language.'Click To TweetYou need to choose the right platform for the products or services you’re selling, and one where your audiences are on.
Lastly, develop a strong content plan with engaging material that attracts your target audience, especially to your website – a platform you control!
You know that social media marketing is doing its job when it’s bringing in quality leads and customers. The key to attracting consumer interest is to have an effective social media plan and a strong online presence.
Hopefully, this article gave you a better understanding of how using social media marketing can improve your business.
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