The importance of social media marketing in growing your business

It’s no doubt that this is the age of technology. In the first world, almost everyone owns a smartphone and almost everyone has heard of Facebook even if they haven’t used it themselves. YouTube, Reddit, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram. According to Statista, in 2019, 2.82 billion people are on social media. Market leader Facebook was the first social network to surpass one billion registered accounts and currently boasts approximately 2.4 billion monthly active users, making it the most popular social network worldwide. As seen, social Media is massive and it is steadily growing as more and more users are actively using social media. Therefore, businesses or organisations make use of these platforms to advertise, to market, to sell or to create awareness.

But just what is Social Media marketing going to do for me? Do I really need it for my business to be successful? Yes you do. And here’s why.

1. Social media drives traffic.

By posting on Social Media, for example Instagram, where the targeted demographic is relatively small, (18–29 year-olds) according to the PEW report, it is easier to promote your service or product to them according to their general interests.

Your posts provide an opportunity for the public to find your content and follow through to your site. Because these posts will show up in your followers’ or demographic’s feed, the traffic is usually very targeted.

Unlike when you post a new article or have updates to your site, it can take a longer time to show up on Google. Which means fewer consumers will be aware of your new content until the next time they search you up. Which is where social media helps. This process is almost like a funnel. You reach out to as many people as possible, (typically your target audience) and filter out those who are genuinely interested in your product. Usually they will react with a like, a follow or a browse through your site.

2. Social Media builds relationships

People need people. They see Social Media Platforms as a way to communicate and keep track of others’ lives. They don’t want to be faced with constant loud marketing that doesn’t add good value to their lives. Consumers seek genuine engagement, something authentic that initiates conversation with them. Interact by giving them information, entertaining or by simply responding. This shows customers you truly value them, seeing them not just as a source of revenue. Hence, they in return will see you as an entity that is worth investing time back.

Social Media allows you to build customer loyalty in a more intimate and conversational way, growing your business along with it.

3. Social Media creates trust

When businesses have social media accounts, two scenarios could happen. 1. They don’t post consistently, 2. They post consistently. The latter being the decision that gains long-term trust from consumers.

The longer you go without posting or being active on social media, you would start to lose that trust that you have established with them from the beginning. As Helen Hayes said, “if you rest, you rust.” So, always keep the engine going. Be reminded that your audience wants to know what is in the works, what is upcoming, what it is that you are doing. They want to be involved in the process, they want to know more about you.

By being active on social media, and developing that trust with your consumers would help business growth to a large extent.

4. Social Media is where all the trends are

In our trend and media based culture, it is difficult to tell when there would be opportunities for your brand to capitalise on. Sometimes there might be a meme, or a pop-culture situation that is in line with your current brand image. If you could engage with the story when all attention is on it, it could lead to viral posts, press releases and greater visibility for you.

It is a good way for your brand to stay in the loop.

5. Social Media opens up partnerships

With majority of your brand up on Social Media, it makes it very easy for people to view what you are doing and what you are capable of. Hence, it might draw in collaborations or partnerships. A benefit of this is being able to expand your own audience by reaching other audiences through them.
It will also help in generating brand reputation and awareness on Social channels.

An all around win-win situation, branching out through what social media is meant to do; connect.