Social Media Marketing (SMM): Use the Power of the Internet

Understanding the Importance of Social Media Marketing

In 2004 MySpace became the first social media site to reach one million users, and currently there are numerous options. This spurt called the need for a proper social media marketing strategy to tap in nearly 59% of the global population. SMM is a purpose built data analytic allowing marketers to monitor the success of their efforts and explore ways to engage even more.

Reports say that over 80% of consumers agree that social media affects buying patterns worldwide. A new community of social media influencers has emerged greatly affecting the buying behavior of target consumers. It can be said that SMM is a multi pronged source of marketing intelligence facilitating the opportunity to reach millions of consumers.?

There are numerous social media platforms running worldwide, but Facebook, Instagram and X platform (previously known as Twitter) have emerged as the most powerful trio due to facilitating connection, interaction and gathering consumer data. The importance of social media is ubiquitous and various marketing techniques using these platforms have become extremely important for business.?

How does Social Media Marketing Work?

SMM facilitates connection, a way to interact with customers, connect with them on a personal level. Its dynamic nature of interaction on social media enables businesses to leverage the free advertising opportunities from electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). A well structured SMM plan helps in gathering consumer data, and turn them into gold by applying actionable market analysis.?

With Facebook, X & Instagram emerging as social media giants, and a proper SMM strategy can help in influencing consumer behavior. Businesses can promote content that drives engagement and the data involves geographic, demographic and personal information making the messaging resonate with consumers.?

Social Media Marketing Action Plan

It is advised to have a targeted Social Media Marketing strategy. Marketers need to follow the following points.?

• Align Social Media Marketing with your business objectives.?
• Work on knowing your target consumer, gather data containing, age, location, income, job title, industry interests etc.?
• You need to conduct a competitive analysis of your competition. Gather data regarding their successes and failures.?
• Get your current SMM audited by an expert.?
• Create best-in-class content.?
• Continuously monitor the Social Media Marketing strategy and make alterations when required.?

Aforementioned points give a broader picture about having a SMM strategy. However, they can be changed according to requirement and budget. However there are more aspects of Social Media Marketing discussed below.?

Various Aspects of Social Media Marketing

SMM can be considered as a multifaceted tool to boost your businesses and their online presence.?

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Another Important SMM Aspect

Social Media Marketing offers customer interaction at a different level. SMM offers two kinds of interactions by leveraging on customer relationship management (CRM), Customer to Customer (C2C) and Firm-to-Customer or Business to Customer (F2C/B2C). Broadly speaking with SMM you can track customer value both directly (through purchase) and indirectly (through product referrals).

Sharable Content Goes a Long Way

Apart from creating content focused in sales, marketing, brand awareness etc, businesses are heavily investing resources in creating shareable content. Mainly because it helps in attracting more and more customers, also, sharing allows customer engagement. There are many schemes going on based on refer and earn rewards, this way when a suggestion regarding your product or service goes to? potential customers from a trusted source, a friend it is more likely to create an impact.?

Earned Media

SMM does not leave any aspect to promote your business. Recently a term known as earned media is creating buzz all over. Basically it is a term to create brand awareness by any method other than paid advertising. For instance customer-created product reviews and recommendations, there is a whole list of You tube channels making product reviews. This not only boosts the sale but also help the creator earn a few bucks.?

Viral Marketing

Using viral content, or creating content based on current trends, or making a content that goes viral on social media is another aspect of SMM. This technique triggers the rapid spread of word-of-mouth product information. If a creator is able to create a viral content related to your product or service, it can get far beyond the original target audience.?

Customer Segmentation

Social Media Marketing enables customer segregation or segmentation like no other. Companies gather data to focus on the target audience based on their geographical location, purchasing habits, preferences etc. For instance when you search for a perfume on google you will soon get ads regarding the product on nearly every social media account. Companies pay hefty amounts to gain this data to target the right audience.?

Tracking the Essential Metrics

An expert Social Media Marketing strategy involves proper monitoring of certain metrics. This involves emphasizing on customer engagement including likes, comments, shares and clicks. It also focuses on impressions like how many times the post shows up, what is its current reach and virality, and referral rates. Another factor to consider is lead generation and conversion ratio. A proper analysis of these metrics gives an idea about the feasibility of current SMM strategy.?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media Marketing

It is known that SMM provides a host of benefits and has the potential to take your online presence and business to new levels. It facilitates a business’ ability to engage with a large audience, thereby increasing brand awareness and recognition. It facilitates building strong relationships and fostering customer loyalty.?

But it also has its own disadvantages, the complications of a strong Social Media Marketing strategy might be easy to understand to everyone. It also takes time to show effectiveness, and the fund allocated in creating the strategy might or might not bear fruits.?

Social media platforms keep changing their algorithms, hence making the success rate of SMM strategy unpredictable. Also, bad actors engage in spreading negative publicity of your product or service might hamper your image. Also it is difficult to truly understand the Return on Investment (ROI) of a SMM strategy.?

Broadly speaking Social Media Marketing is a tool that should be used by every business to leverage the true power of the internet. It? can reap unforeseen benefits and take your brand to the next level. We at Brint Marketing solutions have gained expertise in creating and managing your social media marketing strategy.