As a business owner, you face a web of complex decisions every day. When it comes to your marketing strategy, knowing which options are right for your company can put you in a difficult position. You don’t want to invest in a marketing strategy that doesn’t pay off, but you don’t want to be left behind by the competition, either.
As more businesses begin utilizing social media marketing strategies, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Is social media right for you? Check out the following eight reasons that social media marketing works for just about every type of business – whether large or small, local or international.
The most effective form of advertising is “word of mouth” – And that’s what social media is all about! You’ve probably heard all of your life that “word of mouth” is the most effective form of advertising. And no matter where technology leads us, human nature remains relatively the same. Social media lends huge opportunities for “word of mouth” advertising on a larger, digital scale.
Social media provides easy feedback. With social media, you can gather real-time feedback from existing or potential customers. You won’t have to waste time or money conducting market surveys or begging customers to fill out satisfaction forms. Often your customers will bring feedback to you online, or you can simply post a status and ask questions!
Social media is flexible. When customer feedback demands it, you can tweak your message or even your business image very quickly via social media.
Social media can boost search engine results. Digital marketing is invaluable, and that’s why many companies spend a significant portion of their advertising budgets on search engine optimization. If you want to get noticed among the numerous other businesses in your area, boosting your search rankings is a way to do it. Lucky for you, social media can help you do just that – without any added cost.
You can distribute information easily through social media. Many people are no longer listening to the radio, because they can instantly access the news they want online. It works the same way for your business: Rather than pay for an expensive advertising campaign when you’re running a special or experience a change in your operations, you can simply utilize your social media account to spread the word.
Build trust, build a community… with social media. When you do business, you probably choose someone you know or someone who has a good reputation in your community. Your customers will do the same. Social media gives you the opportunity to put a face on your business, interact with the local community, and build the type of trust that creates steady, repeat business.
Social media is a bargain. Many of the tools provided by social media platforms are free. Others, like ads, are relatively cheap when compared to your alternative options. Social media requires a time investment, but it’s a bargain compared to other forms of advertising.
Social media is the future. More and more business is conducted online every day, and the spread of technology such as smart phones mean that accessing the internet is easier than ever. Your competition may already be harnessing the power of social media, in which case you need to catch up! On the other hand, you might beat them to the punch and grab a huge share of the market.
Need assistance developing a social media strategy for your business? Give us a call or send us an email! We effectively and affordably manage social media campaigns for dozens of our clients and we can help you determine the best course of action for your business.
