When social media got its start, some of us might have thought it was a passing fancy. Oh, how wrong we were. It’s only picking up momentum, and we’ve likely just skimmed the surface of this ever-growing trend. Not only do people use it as a means of connecting with one another on a personal level but businesses also use it more than ever to share information and to advertise. This is particularly helpful for small businesses trying to keep up with their bigger counterparts when it comes to competition. Wondering how social media for marketing can benefit your business? The possibilities are endless! As innovative “homevester” Nick Evans said of his business Frontier Properties, “Social media marketing is what took my company from start-up to success.” Read on for five ways it can benefit your business.
- It Helps You Extend Your Reach
While advertising firms haven’t necessarily gone by the wayside, gone are the days when companies had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to get the word out about what they do. These days, social media does it for you and, while your company still likely needs to hire a social media person if not a department, it’s not going to break the bank, and it’s money well spent. A talented social media specialist knows that posts that strike a chord with people’s emotions are more likely to be shared. And what a post (or posts!) going viral can do to spread the word is astounding. This is even more valuable if you’re an entrepreneur, and social media is just one of the many tools you can use to be successful. What’s really special is once you reach these people, continue to share useful content, and interact with them via social media, a community of loyal followers will form.
- Your Influence Will Grow
Once you get your loyal following we just discussed, you can use social media as a platform to become an influencer in your field. People might start out kicking the tires, so to speak, but once you’ve proven yourself to be well versed in your area of expertise, these people will be influenced by what you share. Great content will keep them around long enough to get them to convert from lurkers to customers.
- Increase Website Traffic
To get your followers to convert, you’ve got to get them to your website in the first place. Sharing blog posts, articles, and even memes on social media can drive these online visitors back to your website. Once there, you can direct them to an email distribution list and/or other ways to get their information and stay in touch. Still skeptical? Install a tool to measure traffic such as Google Analytics and you’ll soon realize the value of a solid social media marketing plan.
- It’s Another Way to Establish Your Brand
Unless you’ve been caught under a rock for the last 5-10 years, you know that branding has become one of—if not THE—most important aspects of marketing. Whether it’s a conscious or subconscious thing, customers appreciate when your company stays consistent in who they are across the board. Everything from your storefront (if you have one) and your products to your marketing and your presentations should portray a united front, and social media is just one more way to show customers you know who you are.
- Social Media Feedback Can Help You Improve
Once you’ve reached out, connected, and established your loyal following, you’ve got your client base. And while you’re always striving to make new connections, social media is a way to cater to those who have been loyal to you. Keep producing the content they’ve enjoyed. And if there is something they haven’t enjoyed about your social media marketing or your business in general, they will share this … for better or for worse. If it’s the latter, take their critiques to heart and use them to hone your business. Never ignore any online criticism. Instead, address it head-on and you will gain respect and possibly a new and improved review. As author of The Zen of Social Media Marketing Shama Kabani noted via Forbes.com, “Even if you do get negative feedback, you can turn it into a positive by engaging in a constructive way and showing that you’re a genuine business.”
Not using social media marketing for your biz? What are you waiting for? There are many more ways it can help your business grow even beyond these five ways, so get going!
