As more and more consumers go online to evaluate their options and get the best possible deals, the buying process has become far more ‘social.’ Networking and product review sites facilitate the real-time sharing of business expertise and experience – never forget that your customers are paying attention! Here are the 4 key values that social media has to offer businesses.
Increased brand awareness
Generate brand awareness through social media by ensuring that you tick all the boxes when it comes to supplying your customers with information.
When a consumer finds your business on a social platform they are looking for three things: engaging content, customer feedback and relevant business information.
Search engine Google regularly indexes social media platforms for new and updated content. If your business uses social media to advertise, chances are your customers are finding you through Google.
Therefore each social media platform that your business is a part of represents another direct avenue for brand awareness.
With more than 750 million active users, global giant Facebook is one of the most powerful social media tools you can use to promote your brand.
Networking opportunities – the three C’s
Networking is about making a connection and establishing a relationship. If networking is to be successful you need to make sure people know who you are, and what you're good at.
Businesses use social networking to drive their interaction with customers, colleagues and competitors.
As discussed, consumers are increasingly looking for confirmation online before committing to purchase. Social networking allows you to connect with your prospective customers, and offer them the reassurance they are after.
LinkedIn is a business-orientated social networking site for professionals. It is the perfect hub for highlighting your professionalism and shedding light on some of the high qualities of your business.
ROI - through online campaigns
Although Google Adwords is still the strongest contender for online marketing, it is impossible to ignore the effectiveness of a good social media campaign.
Marketing through social media allows a business to hone in on their target audience and demographic. A good campaign will utilise every connection for maximum ROI.
"2010 was the year that Facebook firmly established itself as a major force not only in social network advertising but all of online advertising," said eMarketer principal analyst Debra Aho Williamson.
Businesses who advertise online cannot afford to ignore Facebook’s global presence. A user-friendly interface conceals the strategic algorithms that work to deliver an invaluable marketing tool for businesses.
Cost-effectiveness
At some point in every marketing campaign, whether it is on or offline, you will hit a point where you need to fork out money.
Offline media is generally out of your control as you are reliant on the rates provided by TV and radio stations, newspapers, and honest media agencies.
Marketing through online social media means YOU are in control of how much you spend. It’s possible to set up a daily, weekly or monthly budget to ensure you only spend what you can afford.
Clearly define what you want to achieve, how much you can afford to spend, and who you want to target, before beginning any campaign. Make sure to deal only with a reputable media agency who are every bit as committed as you, and watch your social media investments flourish.