Some businesses are still skeptical about the usefulness and value of social media. But platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter offer targeted advertising and a source of valuable business intelligence. This article outlines ten of the benefits that businesses can gain from using and monitoring social media.
Did you know that
82% of the population of the United States has at least one social media account? And did you know that the average internet user
spends 145 minutes per day on social media? If those figures surprise you, you are probably one of the many people who thinks social media isn't worth your time.
Perhaps you believe that social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are too frivolous for serious marketing and that TikTok is just a kid's platform. If that sounds like you, it might help to know that By 2022, U.S. advertisers are expected to spend over
56 billion dollars on promoting their products on social networks. So, many businesses believe in the power of social media.
However, a sizable percentage of business owners still choose to ignore social media. But, if you're a member of that non-believer group, what are you missing out on? Here are ten reasons why a business can no longer afford to ignore social media.
1. Cost-effective Marketing
Advertising on social media is highly targeted. Also, advertising on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter is less expensive than paid search or traditional advertising. As a result, the cost per sale is significantly lower, and the return on investment (ROI) is considerably higher. Plus, there is no cost to set up and post on social media. As a result, you can contact and engage with your target audience for free.
2. Increase Brand Awareness
Both small local businesses and large corporations must raise awareness of their products and services. They also need to establish brand recognition and trust. But building brand awareness can be time-consuming and expensive using traditional methods. However, posting on social media provides the opportunity to showcase your products, services, or expertise to a broad audience. And a solid social media presence will help to build trust in your brand.
3. Generate Leads
A well-thought-out social media marketing campaign can help you generate a significant number of new leads. And, as previously stated, the cost of generating those leads will be less than traditional methods. However, it is not only through advertising that you will generate leads. Sales leads will also come via the valuable content you post and your interactions with your target audience. In addition, your very presence on social media will also draw attention from potential customers.
4. Improve Customer Service
Social media accounts can also be used as customer service portals. You can, for example, answer frequently asked questions, provide product guides, post company announcements, and promote events. You can also respond to customer complaints and criticisms, as well as publicize positive feedback.
5. Monitor Your Competition
Are you aware of what your competition is doing? Were you aware that your closest competitor has released a new product? If you monitor social media, you can stay on top of what your competitors are up to and react to market changes faster. You might even be able to take advantage of a competitor's misfortune. For example, consider a scenario in which a customer criticized a competitor's poor service. Then that would be an ideal time to highlight your stellar customer service track record.
6. Understand Your Market
Monitoring social media will also assist you in better understanding your customers. You could, for example, keep track of trending topics in your niche. You might also learn about what concerns and interests your target market. This type of social media monitoring will help you better target your advertising. It could also help you improve your products and services.
7. Build Brand Authority
Social media is the ideal platform for demonstrating your expertise. And, by increasing brand authority, you increase trust, which will lead to more sales. You can build brand authority by publishing authoritative content on your blog and publishing links to it on social media. You can also respond to the questions people ask on social media. And, becoming an authoritative figure in your sector will generate leads and increase networking opportunities.
8. Engage with Customers
Brands that listen and talk to their customers sell more products. And social media is the perfect platform for engaging with your customers. Suppose you are not part of the conversation on social media. In that case, you are missing an opportunity to connect with people who might be interested in your products or services. Yes, it takes time to respond to every comment, question, and conversation related to your brand. However, building a relationship with your target audience is one of the best ways to gain their trust.
9. Protect Your Brand
When people want to let off steam about a product or service, social media is likely to be the platform they vent their anger. So, if you don't monitor your brand mentions, you might be unaware of negative feedback or damaging comments about your business. However, if you monitor social signals, you can immediately counter any negative comments. And, if you offer a positive solution to the issues raised, you may be able to turn a problematic situation into a public relations win.
10. Monitor Industry Developments
If you fail to keep up with developments in your sector, your competition will be first to market with new products and services. There may also be changes in industry standards or regulatory requirements. So keeping up to date with industry developments is critical for most businesses. And monitoring social media will bring all the latest industry news to your desktop.
Conclusion
Social media can be a powerful tool for a business. Social media provides a means of marketing your products and services to a precisely targeted audience. And you can also increase brand awareness and engage with your customers. Plus, social media is a valuable source of information about your industry and competitors. Can you afford to ignore all these benefits of social media?
Thank you for reading!
Comments
Post a Comment