Before the advent of social media, businesses advertised what they had to offer through simple methods such as billboards, TV commercials, print ads and even outbound marketing strategies like phone calls, word of mouth or even door-to-door visits. These days, you might still see those methods being employed, but it’s certainly without the fervor that they once embodied because in today’s world, filled with technological advancement, advertising occurs in the blink of an eye or the click of a button on the internet. From pop up ads to website banners, the availability of information across the web has enabled the world of advertising to push forward ferociously in the digital market, but still one channel remains the king of all digital marketing and that is social media.
Wikipedia defines social media as “computer-mediated tools that allow people to create, share or exchange information, ideas, and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks. Social media is further defined as “a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content.”
Meanwhile, social media marketing is where businesses come into play. The use of different social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, Pinterest and Instagram have been the best channels for companies to utilize as tools to convert potential customers to actual ones for some time now. And as they continue to evolve and push the envelope, so too do they continue to pave new roads for marketers to take in the pursuit of pushing product. Coming to the point though, why should the power of social media be limited to mega corporations with loads of money to blow on large campaigns. The simple truth is that it’s not. Social media is important to any business, but especially your small emerging one. Below are three of the reasons why.
1. Customers Are Usually Social Media Users
Americans, according to a 2011 report published by Nielson, allocate approximately a quarter of their online time on social blogs and networks. That being the case, it’s a given that potential customers are always present, waiting online and searching for products that they may be interested in buying. A proper social media presence and strategy is essential to driving funnel them to a conversion point where they purchase your product or avail your services.
2. It Gives You The Chance To Know What Customers Need and Want
The truth is, people use their social media to express what they want the world to know. That can include the simple whims and details of their day to praise, complaints, and feedback on a variety of products and services they come across on a daily basis. You get to know the current trends based on what people post, and with that knowledge, you can take advantage of their wants and needs.
3. Social Media is Cost-Effective Business Marketing
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, Pinterest and Instagram are social platforms which are usually used by people searching for products and services nowadays. The good thing about social media is that they’re almost entirely free of charge. It’s a win-win situation. By leveraging these technologies properly, you can build a direct relationship with your clients and eventually continue to expand your business from small to big.