Do you have a social media account? Perhaps you’ve got more than one. The number of social media users around the world currently stands at 3.196 billion, so you’re not alone.
However, for business owners, social media offers a unique opportunity to connect with clients and customers across the globe. If you’re unsure about the significance of using social media to promote your business, the following article will explain why the platforms are so important for your business.
Why do People Use Social Media?
People use social media for a variety of reasons, and these have been changing in recent years.
The most popular reason for people to use one or more of the many social networks has long been to stay in touch with others and to find out what’s happening in the world. There are, however, many other reasons people are choosing to use social network channels. I
They could be using them to fill their spare time; after all, people regularly use social media when looking for amusing or entertaining content. Networking with other people, sharing photos or videos and opinions are other reasons often given for using social media.
It can be a way of meeting new people and finding out information about products or services a person might want to buy.
What are the Most Popular Social Media Platforms?
The answer to this question depends on where you live, although Facebook does seem to have a bit of a monopoly when it comes to social media sites! That being said, there are many other platforms which are being used by an increasing number of people, and it appears that Facebook is losing a number of users following the recent bad press.
As of August 2018, the most popular platforms are Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Qzone, Weibo, Twitter, Reddit, Pinterest, Ask.fm, Tumblr, Flickr, Google+, and LinkedIn.
In the top 10, there are many you will recognize, as well as a few lesser known brands. It’s not possible to concentrate your efforts on all of these at once as a business owner. You’re better off starting with Facebook before branching out on a couple of others.
The Benefits of Using Social Media
So, now we know the most popular social media channels, and why people use them, why should your business have a social media presence in particular? Below are some of the most important reasons:
· Increases Brand Awareness
It’s possible to display your business personality through social channels and is one of the best ways to connect with your target audience. When you create social media profiles for your business, you increase your brand awareness. If you create an awareness of these profiles among your employees, business connections, customers, and sponsors and get them to “like” or “share” your pages, it introduces your business to a new network of people, raising brand awareness even further.
· Improves Search Engine Rankings
Consumers use search engines to find out the latest TV programs, what’s on at the movie theater, what to have for dinner, how to get to a new location, and also to find out where they can buy certain products or services. When searching, they tend to look at the first couple of pages of results without looking any further. Therefore, it makes good business sense if the details of your business appear on the first couple of pages. Optimizing your website for search engine rankings is very important if you want to increase traffic to your site. With regards to social media, many marketers believe that using social media for marketing a product or service improves search engine ranking.
· Improves Brand Loyalty
To be a successful business, you have to have a loyal customer base. It doesn’t happen without some effort on your part, however. Keeping your customers happy improves your brand loyalty, and regular interaction is part of that process.
It’s easy to maintain communication with customers if you use social media for your business. Interact with them regularly by way of regular posts and updates. What’s more, social media also gives customers a channel for getting in touch should they have any issues.
- Cost-Efficient Marketing Strategy
Social media marketing is a very cost-efficient marketing strategy. It doesn’t have to cost a single cent if you don’t want it too. There are paid-for ads you can take advantage of, but these are not a necessity.
- Conversion
Every social media post, ad, blog, or follower you get is an opportunity for a conversion. Social media is a very effective way of getting new leads and encouraging people through your sales funnel. For example, if you manage a restaurant you can use social media to keep your customers engaged and provide incentives to make a reservation in your venue.
- A Human Face
Modern consumers are no longer happy to make their purchases from faceless corporations. They want to know more about the type of company they’re buying from. By using social media channels, you can provide them with a rapid response, thereby building a better connection.
- Learn More About Your Customers
By using social media, you can gain valuable insights into your customers’ interests and behaviors. It’s possible to check out comments and reviews and get a better understanding of what your customers think about your business. By looking at the engagement rates of the different posts, you make you can measure what generates the most interest.
- Keep Customers Informed
By using social media, you’re able to keep customers informed of the latest news, updates, and advancements. You can provide them with information about new product releases, special offers and what trade shows and events you might be attending.
- Find Out More About Your Industry and Competitors
Social media channels are a great way of finding out what your competitors are doing. You can discover whether there are any special events you need to attend coming up in the future. It’s possible to look at your competitors’ pages and see what is working for them. If you need help with any kind of service or are looking for new products, social media can help there too. For example, if you need the details of a local cleaning service, you can search on Facebook. You might need to know where to look for tradeshow displays because there’s an exhibition coming up you’d like to attend.
As you can now see, there are a wide range of benefits if you decide to use social media marketing for your business. If you haven’t yet got a presence, it’s time you signed up and made a business profile. Once you’ve got a profile up and running, it’s vital you monitor it and update your presence regularly.
By Steve Conway
Steve Conway is a content marketing professional and inbound marketing expert. Previously, Steve worked as a marketing manager for a tech software start-up. He is passionate about discovering new software that will that will advance his already well-honed digital marketing techniques.