Why is Social Media Marketing Important?

In 2020 marketing there is one rule that’s broken more often than any other, countless companies aren’t taking advantage of Social Media. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and even Tik Tok allow companies to engage with the public easier than ever before. Whether posting clever ads on Facebook, stunning graphics on Instagram or Viral videos on Tik Tok, social media is a tool to harness and here’s why.

1. It Lets Customers Know You Exist

The biggest reason for taking advantage of Social Media Marketing is simply getting your name out there, building awareness is the hardest hurdle for most new companies. Social media boosts your visibility among potential customers, letting you reach a wide audience without using a large amount of time and effort. Creating a business profile on major social networks is free, so you have nothing to lose but a little bit of well-invested effort.

2. Establish Yourself as an Expert

Customers are looking for companies that bring value before they decide to spend their money. They’re going to search your website and social media before making a decision. When they do, will they find an empty storefront or a source of information that encourages them to do business with your company? Creating profiles that are robust with frequent updates and relevant content will go a long way toward establishing your brand as an authority and make a lasting impression on the customer.

3. Have a Personality

We’ve all seen the generic, corporate approved social posts and kept scrolling, never to give them a second thought. However, we all remember the social posts that make us laugh or leave an impression (looking at you Wendy’s!).

Let your brand’s personality come through in your social posts. Ensure you’re asking yourself what your brand represents and how your posts sound. Practice getting your tone just right, whether it’s casual and funny or formal and friendly. Be true to who you are, not who you think you should be. Followers want to see real people behind your social profiles. Show them.

4. Drive Engagement

Social channels evolve, constantly releasing new features, and this rapidly changing environment can be intimidating for some business owners. But remember, you don’t have to do everything. Play with new ways to connect with your audience and give yourself permission to learn as you go. One day, you might post a series of Instagram Stories to give customers a behind-the-scenes tour of your office. The next you might host a quick Q&A session via Facebook Live video streaming. Over time, you’ll get a better idea of your followers’ preferences.

All you need to create engaging video content for social media is good lighting, a smartphone and a tripod. Also, do a test run before you go live to make sure your internet connection has enough speed to avoid delays and interruptions.

5. Be Responsive

Social platforms have successfully broken-down barriers between companies and their customers. Instead of calling a customer service line, many people turn to Facebook or Twitter to solve problems or find information. Develop your reputation as a responsive, caring brand by offering support through social channels:

• Create a system for tracking customer comments, questions, and complaints on social media.
• Respond as quickly as possible to questions and concerns.
• Go out of your way to be positive and helpful
• Listen to criticism and make customers feel heard.
• Know when to resolve public conversations in private messages.

*TIp: Link your social media messaging (Facebook messenger for example) with chatbot functionality on your website!

Develop a social media strategy. Do you want new customers to discover what you offer? Do you hope to bring more foot traffic into your stores? By keeping your strategy specific, you can determine which social media channels are the best fit for your business.