8 Important Reasons Every Business Needs Social Media Marketing
ITUKA ROSELINE
Small businesses are the backbone of any economy. They contribute significantly to the growth and development of a country. However, in today’s digital age, it is not just enough to have a good product or service. Small businesses need to have a strong online presence and social media platforms are a great way to achieve that. In this document, we will discuss why small businesses need a social media presence and how it can benefit them.
Social media keeps you a step ahead of your competitors.
Simply by having active social media profiles, you’re doing your business a favor and increasing its visibility through search result pages. As mentioned earlier, you don’t need to plaster your business on every social platform – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, and YouTube – to show that you’re active. CNBC reports that sites like Instagram and WhatsApp continue to remain popular with their user base. Go to the sites where your brand’s voice will be at its strongest and able to engage with customers while still getting its overall message across.
Social media increases brand awareness.
Social media is no longer just a place to connect and socialize with friends and family. According to data gathered by SCORE 77% of small businesses use social media to help build brand awareness, facilitate customer service, and increase revenue. For example, data from Meta shows that 83% of Instagram users say they discover new brands while using the platform. Those users are then able to share posts with friends, further increasing brand awareness.
Social posts drive traffic to your website.
Social media platforms allow small businesses to drive traffic to their website. For instance, on Instagram, you can post the URL to your website in your account bio and direct users to this link via a post on your feed or story. Giving users a taste of what your business has to offer through posts on your feed will intrigue consumers to want to know more about your brand.
Social media is one of the most efficient free platforms for marketing your brand today with such extensive use and variety. Some of the particular benefits of social media marketing are as follows:
- Humanize your company:You can use social media to make your company a more active player in your market. Your profile, postings, and interactions with other users contribute to a persona that your audience can get to know, connect with, and trust.
- Increase Traffic:Social media is a top avenue for driving traffic to your website, where you may convert visitors into customers, thanks to links in your profile, blog post links in your articles, and adverts.
- Generate leads and customers:Using features like Instagram/Facebook shops, direct messaging, call to action buttons on profiles, and appointment booking options, you may generate leads and conversions directly on these platforms.
- Increase brand recognition:Social media platforms’ visual aspect helps you develop your visual identity and boost brand awareness across a large audience. And increased brand recognition translates to improved performance in all of your other initiatives.
- Build relationships:These platforms allow you to engage with your followers in both direct and indirect ways, allowing you to network, receive feedback, hold discussions, and connect directly with individuals.
It will be easier to fulfill your marketing goals if your social media following is more engaged.
The social networks your business should be on
Facebook:
There are several features of Facebook that small businesses should take full advantage of. Aside from creating a page for your business, the platform also allows you to further promote content by sharing posts on your feed and in your daily stories. In addition to that, businesses can create groups that attract like-minded people and other businesses. Use Facebook ads to promote brands and reach audiences that might be interested in your product. One of the most unique features Facebook provides is Facebook Messenger, which businesses can use to interact with, provide support to and send frequent updates to customers.
Instagram:
Much like Facebook, Instagram can be used to promote business. Followers are able to view bright and vibrant photos of your brand as they scroll through their feed, accompanied by captions, tags and hashtags. There are also various types of ads you can experiment with, such as photo, video, carousel and story ads. If viewers see something they like about your brand, they can easily share posts with friends via their own Instagram accounts or through direct messages.
Twitter:
Twitter is known for its tweets, microposts with a 280-character limit through which users are able to briefly say what’s on their mind. Tweets can be a great way for small businesses to create a consistent voice that aligns with their values, engages with potential consumers and reaches a particular demographic. Posting tweets to your feed gives you a chance to interact with customers who have mentioned your business on their personal page, whether in the form of positive reviews or negative ones. Twitter can also track your analytics so your company is able to see what is working and what isn’t.
LinkedIn:
LinkedIn serves as the world’s largest professional network. The platform allows companies to showcase the products and services they provide directly on their LinkedIn business profiles, giving viewers an automatic idea of what your business has to offer. With the help of the platforms about section, you can showcase the voice behind your brand. Brands can even post customers’ past reviews of their products or services on their profiles as free advertising.
YouTube:
You may not think of YouTube as a social media marketing channel, but it fits the bill: you can post videos to your channel, share, comment on, and like other videos, and follow other accounts. Plus, you have a curated feed on your homepage with recommended videos. The key to social media marketing on YouTube is not to try to “go viral,” but to add value. It’s best for:
- Tutorials, how-tos, and explainer videos
- Shoppable YouTube live streams.
- Advertising (video ads and display ads on the platform)
- SEO (video is dominating the “how to” SERP!)
Do you have any insights to share, when it comes to owing a social media marketing channel ? Share what you know below! Thanks 🙂
