The Benefits of Social Media: How Being Social Can help your Business
There was a time when social media was considered by some as a passing fad. Over time, the skeptics were proved wrong.
Let’s have a look at why social media is so powerful in the world of Internet marketing, and how utilizing it can impact and benefit your brand or business directly and immediately.
1. Social Media Statistics You Should Know
- There are over 3 billion internet users all over the world and over 2 billion of them have active social media accounts;
- 75% of online Americans say they’re influenced by product information on social media;
- 59% of Americans with social media accounts think that customer service through social media has made it easier to get questions answered and issues resolved;
- More than 56% of online adults use more than one social media platform;
- 100 million food and 146 fashion boards exist on Pinterest;
- Social media marketing budgets will double by 2019.
Consumers worldwide are continuing to connect together at social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube to learn, share, and consume. These networks give your business a prime opportunity to connect with those who may be interested in your products or services and on the very channels they use the most.
2. How Social Media Can Benefit Your Business
- INCREASE BRAND RECOGNITION
Social media is a fantastic way to introduce people to your brand. If you’re active on multiple social media platforms and you’re posting interesting content people will begin to recognize your brand in other situations, or perhaps recall your company’s name while they’re thinking of your industry or products.
2. INCREASE TRAFFIC TO YOUR WEBSITE
Social media has the potential to generate organic traffic to your website
Without social media, you’re limited to attracting people who search for your brand name, search for terms for which you rank, or those who already know about your website. With social media and the large audience of those willing to share or reshare your content you can increase your reach and attract clicks from those who have never heard of you or your brand before.
If you gain a dedicated social media following you can get regular traffic to your website when you share something new or interesting.
3. BUILD A COMMUNITY OF DEDICATED FOLLOWERS
Social media goes around the idea of building an online community. Whether you’re an individual or business on social media, you can create your community of followers as long as you:
- Post interesting and relevant content
- Make posts regularly to stay in front of your followers
- Answer questions and respond to comments quickly, and politely
- Engage with those who have mentioned you or messaged you in some way
With the right marketing strategy you will be able to count on these dedicated followers not only for traffic but also potentially for sales or new leads!
4.PROVIDE RICH CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES
Even if you aren’t on social media, most of your customers expect you to be.
Over 67 percent of consumers now go to social media for customer service.
5. GEOTARGET CONTENT
Geo-targeting is an efficient way to send your message out to a particular audience based on their location. Social media networks like Facebook and Twitter have developed tools that allow you to communicate the right kind of content to your audience.