Social Media hasn’t been around for very long, but websites like Facebook and Twitter are two of the most used, if not THE most used websites on the internet.
Everyone knows about Social Media, almost everyone uses the sites. However, they’re not just great for keeping up with old friends, they’re fantastic for businesses to connect with existing clients and generating new ones, reading reviews, investigating customer feedback for example. Here are a few reasons why social media is a must for businesses these days.
Use Social Media to learn more about your business audience:
When it comes to running a business, knowing your audience is very important. The use of social media makes it much easier for companies to find out who their audience is. Facebook has a tool called “Audience Insights” which allows you to look at all kinds of demographics, including the Age and Gender of your audience. This is extremely useful because it allows you to keep your work aimed towards that demographic and grow your business. Also, are you selling to individuals or the end person (Business to Consumer or B2C) or to other businesses (Business to Business or B2B) – this will impact what Social Media is most applicable. Facebook is used by businesses and people privately, LinkedIn in a professional networking and a great way to find related services and contacts, Twitter is a good mixture and valuable for business, Pinterest is more visual – who are your customers and where might they be?
Social Media can increase awareness of your brand:
Having an audience is what makes your business tick. Gaining a larger audience is what makes your business grow. Social Media is perfect for helping small businesses grow and get recognised. A lot of people have the mentality that “if you build it, they will come” but most of the time that is just not the case. In realistic terms “if people are unaware that you exist, they can’t shop with you.” Social Media helps break that mould and allows business owners to put themselves into the public eye.
Social Media makes it easier to network with other companies:
Websites like Facebook were originally designed so that people could connect with each other and share information about themselves or their lives. The same principle applies to businesses on Facebook. Having a Social Media account lets you connect with other companies, as well as your audience. Using something like Facebook, you can come into contact with another company who may be interested in working together to boost both their business and yours.
Use Social Media to advertise your products / services:
If you have a product or service that you wish to share with those around you, put it up on Social Media! Those who see it can then head over to your website if it’s something they need, or they can share it and get even more people to see it, or both! Social Media is a fantastic way of getting your name and brand known, and it’s a great way to let others know about what great product offers you have on, or what’s new in store, or just about anything to do with your business. Encourage people to share and let your customers be your strongest sales generator!
Use Social Media to connect with your current customers:
The use of Social Media allows you as a business to connect with your current customers and build more of a personal relationship with them. This is incredibly useful to acquiring and maintaining loyalty from customers. Loyalty in customers means they’re more likely to refer you to a friend or family member, and it also means they’re more likely to return as a customer. Holding this kind of relationship with customers is very beneficial for any type of business and can be the reason behind your companies growth.
Use Social Media to conduct customer service operations:
It’s become very common for people to post about their negative experiences with products or services on sites like Facebook or Twitter. Having your own presence on these sites allows you to contact these customers and apologise or in indeed defend your business against unfair feedback or comments! It also shows that you’re responsive to your customers’ needs and feedback.
Use Social Media as a resource to answer any questions you may have!
A lot of business owners often wonder what it is they can do to make their product or service better. With Social Media, you can ask the audience what it is they think you could do better, or what it is that they would like to see your company sell and they will answer. This is a great way of finding out what it is the audience wants from the audience themselves!
There are a lot of reasons to use Social Media, we’ve only covered a few of them here. If you’d like to know a little more about what else Social Media can do for your business we can help you.
