Communication, marketing, advertising, customer care and other aspects of today’s business environment have changed dramatically. In the past few decades business-to-business and business-to-client communication relied on limited options like email, fax, telegram and letters. The scenario today presents a wide range of communication technologies and platforms that have transformed the way people do business. Business has become a social activity, thanks to social media. There could be quite a number of reasons as to why businesses rely on social media: here are ten compelling reasons why firms can no longer afford to ignore social media in their day-to-day running.
1. Small businesses can use Social Media to reach target customers
Not everyone is your prospective customer, which is why finding the right target for your brand is prerequisite to making inroads into business success. In the olden days, it was not uncommon to find a lot of businesses employing the services of research firms to gather information about prospective clients. With social media, you can take your brands right where your target consumers are. This can be achieved by creating products pages as well as your business profiles online on google+, Facebook, Twitter and a host of other social media sites. Such platforms will thus allow easy communication between a business and its existing clients as well as prospective clients.
2. Social Media has unlimited communication tools to build brands
Unlike using TV, Radio and print media to build brands in the past, social media offers firms with multiple platforms the ability to interact with existing and potential clients throughout the world. You no longer need to be a blue chip company in the Silicon Valley in order to have a presence on the social media. Facebook and Twitter are open to everyone. Relying on the use of LinkedIn is also invaluable in finding prospective candidates for positions in your firm.
3. Social Media is cost effective
Businesses only spend a fraction of what they use to spend in the days when traditional media was the only way to market brands. Most social networking sites are free with great advertising and marketing potential. This factor alone makes them appeal to any business, large or small.
4. Ease of direct communication
Business-to-client communication has become quite easy through social media. Customers can also give immediate feedback and instant reviews on different brands.
5. Social Media facilitates regional and international reach
Businesses are now able to achieve instant global reach through social media. Posting company news on products and services and other important information guarantees wide instant reach, free from geographical limitations.
6. Sharing experiences and expertise
As with real life interactions, it is possible for companies to share their experiences with prospective and existing clients through social media interaction and communication. Therefore, companies can build strong business relations with their clients on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
7. Building a business’ reputation on blogs
Business blogs are the best ways to build a brand name. Any business can use blog posts geared towards enhancing their expertise through strategies such as search engine optimisation (SEO) closely associated with their social media marketing strategies. Stand out as an authority by sharing your areas of specialisation.
8. Social Media offers a rich context of multimedia communications
As a business, you have limitless opportunities to post your digital products’ photos online as part of marketing. People love well captured images and will always click on them if they want to make a purchase decision. You can also create photo galleries as part of your online marketing. You surely cannot afford social media marketing if you do not have accompanying photos of your products and services. You can also create ‘memes’ around some cultural ideas that your target market adheres to – you are therefore sure to have prospective clients sharing your ‘meme’ on their social media profiles if it’s creatively done*.
9. Watch the competition
The only constant thing in business is competition. Well, only the best products and services rule the market. With social media, you can closely monitor your competitors, which can enable you to improve on the quality of the products and services you offer.
10. Use Social Media for customer care purposes and public relations
Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter can be used to attend to customer needs and enquiries instantly. They are also great for reputation and crisis management. It is much easier, cheaper and efficient. Social media has been around for sometimes now. Businesses that were quick to integrate social media into their daily operations have made massive strides in marketing and advertising. The real benefits of social media can be realised if managed professionally by trained and competent persons.
About the author: Lama Jabr
Middle East Business News Magazine Correspondent – Australia
Author, Trainer, Speaker, Internet Marketing Specialist, Social Media Consultant and Founder http://xanamarketing.com
Claim your complimentary FREE copy of her latest release ’12 Guides to Social Media for Business’ here www.xanamarketing.com/12guides.htm
