Social media attracts hundreds of millions of daily users that come from practically every walk of life. In other words, customers and prospects abound on all the popular social networks. Reaching those people via social media marketing costs less than it would if you chose other marketing channels. For this reason alone, social media marketing should assume a vital role in every small business marketing plan.
Small business social media campaigns can use sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram to build audiences and connect with customers. The process begins with the creation of profile pages that present necessary information about a brand. Unfortunately, many companies stop there, while others use their social network accounts to pitch sales.
When you recognize the importance of social media marketing, your small business will use social networks to achieve the following goals:
Build Brand Awareness
Focus your small business social media strategy on the sites that will get you the most exposure. So, spend time learning which sites your prospects and customers prefer. Although creating profiles on these sites gives you a good start toward promoting your brand, you need to do a little more work.
Converse with followers and friends as you share interesting and entertaining information. Additionally, post content that addresses the real-world problems that people face and allows them to regard your brand as the perfect solution. If you can, subscribe to a social media management app to help you keep all your accounts active and engaged.
As your audience grows, people will share your content with their friends, coworkers, and family members who can use your offerings. As time passes, a growing number of people will become aware of your brand and regard it as a trustworthy source of information. As a result, many people will naturally choose to buy from you.
Increase Your Customer Base
Your social media profiles and posts should contain links that lead to your website. That way, interested parties can easily find more information and become your customers. To speed up your efforts, create a budget to spend on social media PPC advertising.
By subtly promoting your brand and responding to your followers, people will begin regarding your company as a friend rather than as a sterile entity. That human element can become the factor that causes people to choose to buy from you rather than from a competitor.
Again, social media management apps can become a lifesaver because they help coordinate your advertising campaigns on multiple channels and also measure your engagement rates for each site. You can also use social media tools to build databases of contacts, leads, and prospects.
Connect with Current Customers
Never let your relationships end after converting a sale. Instead, use social media to stay connected with your customers. For starters, you can follow up on every transaction to gauge the customer experience that your business provides. Also, when people contact you on social media regarding a question or problem, social media can become a fantastic customer service tool.
Shoppers always want to feel safe and secure. So, when they see that your company promptly and courteously addresses customer service issues, they will feel safe giving your brand a try. On the other hand, if you ignore customer comments and complaints, you tell the world that your business is only interested in money. In many ways, the way you connect with current customers on social media determines your online reputation.
Your connections with your current customers can also help you improve your business. For example, the feedback you receive can guide your choice of the products, services, and features that you offer. Similarly, by nurturing these relationships with special offers, and personalized messages, you can set the stage for lucrative repeat business.
To summarize, social media marketing can play an essential role in every small business’s marketing. However, it’s up to you to make that happen. With a little time and effort and, of course, a minimal investment, you can convert social networks into essential channels that drive growth and profitability.