Social media marketing is a marketing method that uses the power of social networks to reach an audience. Through platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, your business can get in front of your ideal client or clients, increase brand awareness, share helpful information, generate leads, and more. With 49% of the global population using social media • This number will only grow – it has never been more important for a business to be active on social platforms.
Importance of social media marketing for business
What is Social Media Marketing for Business?
Social media can be a necessary bridge between a brand and its customers. It’s one of the easiest ways for people to learn more about what your business has to offer, decide if your brand is right for them, and get in touch with you. Social media marketing can do all of the following for your business:
Build relationships
Social platforms are where many customers go to socialize with their favorite brands. Whether they’re commenting on a post or sharing your content with their followers, they’re doing it because they feel relevant to your business and content. Your business can use social media to engage with customers in a way you can’t anywhere else. You can even use social media as an additional platform for customers to contact you with questions or concerns.
raise popularity of brand
Through your social media posts, you let the world know what your brand is about. Share videos, create thoughtful posts, and share content from others in your industry. Gain insight into the life behind your brand and deliver audience brand stories to help people connect more deeply with your business.
Can you tell me
Your social media content lets people know what products and services you offer and how they can get the most out of them. You can share tutorials, provide step-by-step guides, post informational videos, and let people know when new products drop. Social media posts are also great for sharing industry news and authoritative content explaining the niche in which you’re targeting your business.
market
Of course, social media marketing allows you to market your business! What makes social media marketing unique compared to other forms of marketing is its incredible potential for reach. A paid ad on social media can go viral as more followers and non-followers engage with it through comments, likes and shares.
Create a Successful Marketing Strategy Using Social Media
Get started using social media to your advantage with these advanced tips
Focus on specific platforms
Not all platforms include your target audience. Too many businesses make the mistake of thinking they need to be everywhere but doing so makes it nearly impossible to focus on those places where you should be.
For example, Facebook may be a difficult platform to compete on because many businesses already exist. Your pictures, videos and copy can get lost in the mix. You may find that targeting your home improvement brand on Instagram attracts a larger audience because people are drawn to your eye-catching photos.
Start with two or three platforms and focus your efforts on the platforms. Once these platforms take off, you can always expand later.
Target the ideal customer
Now that you know where your customers are moving, you need to learn how to target them on each platform. Twitter and Instagram rely heavily on hashtags, but keywords drive a lot of traffic to Pinterest and Youtube.
Even more important than hashtags and keyword targeting is understanding the personality of your buyers. Get inside the minds of those who would be looking for your type of product, service or brand on social media. What do they want to watch or read? What information are they looking for, and how are they using social media to learn more? Create a content strategy around your research.
automated process
Social media tools are now ubiquitous to account for both casual users and professionals managing their accounts. You can keep your social media profiles topped with news throughout the day by using a scheduling tool.
Placing social media share buttons can also automate some of your social media posts by encouraging others to share your content from your website. When a visitor discovers and digests your content, you earn a free share!
Analyze and adjust
Social media algorithms change frequently, so staying on top of analytics is critical to ensuring the success of your social media marketing strategy. Most platforms have analytics tools for businesses to track their impressions, engagement, reach, traffic, and other metrics.
Keep an eye on engagement (likes, comments, and shares) to determine how well your content resonates with your audience. Thousands of views but little engagement is a sign that your current content is underperforming.
Check out these social media statistics for a detailed look at each social channel, social media user behavior, and social engagement to hone a strategy that’s right for your business.