For brands looking to drive business growth in today’s day and age, being present on social media in some capacity is no longer a choice. It’s essential.
The total number of social media users has surpassed the 3 billion mark and continues to grow, daily. This means that engagement has also risen, making this a great time for brands to dip their toes in the water of social media marketing. You can either go it alone or hire the help of a social marketing agency.
If you’re still not convinced, here is a list of reasons why operating on social media is a wise business move.
You gain attention and increase brand awareness
Simply put, if people don’t know about your business, how can they possibly become consumers of it?
Brand visibility is key to attracting potential customers and social media is a great way to achieve this. Setting up a social media profile on all the major platforms is free too, so you have nothing to lose.
However, simply being present on social media is not enough. You need to learn how to navigate the sea of competition by creating relevant content that will make you stand out from the millions of other posts that go live, daily.
Articles, images and videos are typically the best content types at cutting through the clutter that is our newsfeed, so it’s important to not only use them, but invest in them so the quality is there. Set out a content strategy in your initial social media marketing stages. Think about what message you want to convey through your content and what will get your audience to click on your post and begin a conversation in the comments.
Communicate authority
Customers today are becoming increasingly savvier when it comes to choosing which brands they want to support. Before making their decision, they will do a search of your website and social media to see what you’re about.
What will they be met with?
An empty storefront or a rich source of information?
Setting up robust profiles that you update regularly with relevant content will secure your brand’s authority and give off a positive first impression to your visitors. If you are seen to look like you know what you are doing, consumers will brand you as trustworthy, knowledgeable and approachable.
Look for ways to demonstrate your expertise as a thought leader in your industry, by writing pieces relating to your expertise or expanding your brand’s mission.
Show authenticity
Consumers aren’t interested in brands who post dry, corporate-style social media posts. They are searching for humanity.
You should ensure that your brand’s personality is shining through in everything you post. What does your brand’s voice sound like? How does it represent who you are?
Practice getting your tone just right, whether it’s casual and funny or formal and friendly. Followers want to see real people behind your social profile, so show them exactly that.
Encourage engagement
Social media opens up the conversation for instant interaction, relationship building and customer loyalty.
Josh Krakauer, founder and CEO of Sculpt, says, “it’s really important that companies have the right organizational structure to support social media. A customer support team tends to be extremely effective”.
Remember: you don’t have to do everything. Play with new ways to connect with your audience and give yourself permission to learn as you go. One day, you could post a series of Instagram Stories to give your customers a behind-the-scenes tour of your office and the next you could host a live Q&A via Facebook Live streaming. Whatever you choose, just keep the conversation flowing and make your customers feel heard.