Who isn’t on social media? The latest estimates show social media attracts 3.028 Billion people everyday. That means 80% of the 3.8 Billion people who use the Internet on a daily basis are on some kind of social media platform. This is why social media marketing is a powerful and effective strategy for delivering content to grow your business.
Here is a rundown of some of the best social media marketing networks for business:
- Facebook – The largest social media community with more than 2.13 Billion members and 1.15 Billion active daily users.
- YouTube – Largest video streaming network with more than 1.5 Billion members and is owned by the world’s largest search engine, Google.
- Instagram – Video and image-based platform with 800 Million members. Facebook owns Instagram.
- Twitter – Popular short messaging system has 330 Million users.
- Pinterest – Fast growing image-based network with 200 Million users.
- LinkedIn – Professional networking platform that is popular with recruiters, job seekers and executives has a community of 106 Million members.
Top 8 Benefits Of Social Media Marketing For Business And How To Use Them
Chances are you are probably a member of more than one of these popular social media networks.
It’s a nice way to reconnect with friends, family and acquaintances and browsing through social media content can be a pleasant way to relax from the stresses of work.
But social media is no longer just for posting your review on the latest Hollywood blockbuster or workout videos. Businesses soon got on the bandwagon and realized that social media marketing could help them achieve targeted profits.
Here are the top 8 benefits of social media marketing for business and how to use them to attain success:
1. Improves Website Rankings in Google
Combine social media marketing with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to give your website a boost in Google’s search rankings.
We’ve discussed the benefits of SEO for your business in a previous article, “5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs SEO Right Now”. SEO helps your content get found on the Internet and one of its base strategies is the use of keywords.
Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have search features. The strategic use of keywords will greatly increase the visibility of your content within your community.
For example, if you provide carpet cleaning services, you can write keyword-rich articles on the following topics:
- Health benefits of regular carpet cleaning;
- How to clean different types of carpets;
- Top 10 tips to remove stains on carpets and upholstery.
When posting content on social media, always include a link to your website. This will make it easier for readers who enjoyed your content to find your services on the Internet.
Here’s a tip: If you want to give your website a boost in Google’s search rankings, stay active on YouTube. Attach a link in your YouTube channel to drive more visits to your website.
Why?
Since Google bought YouTube, it has become a ranking factor in its revised search algorithm!
2. Increases Rate of Sales Conversions
Every time you share content on social media, you create an opportunity for potential end users to find your products and services. Remember the first step to generating sales is to attract a market or build a community of followers.
Social media marketing offers you a variety of ways to build your market. You can post videos or blogs; share articles and other relevant content.
A good example would be a Personal Trainer. His/her job is highly visual in nature. Not only should a PT be in good shape but exercise performance is best presented in video format. Video and image-based social media networks such as YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest would benefit personal trainers:
- Personal Trainer can open a YouTube channel and post videos on exercise performance, workout and diet tips, product reviews and contest footage.
- Personal Trainer can set up an Instagram account and upload inspiring training photos of clients’ before and after images.
- Personal Trainer can post inspirational exercise quotes on Pinterest or create a community “Pin Board” for clients to post messages and photos.
In each network, always include a link to your website. In our previous example, social media marketing was used to show prospective clients what the Personal Trainer can do for them.
3. Drive More Traffic to Your Website
We wrote about PPC or Pay-Per-Click advertising in our article “SEO vs PPC: Which One Is Better For Your Business”. PPC is one of the best and most effective ways to drive more traffic to your website. Best of all, the traffic you drive comes from your targeted audience.
Search engines like Google and social media networks such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter offer Paid Ad options for businesses. Paid ads are placed where your target audience can immediately see them. People who click on the ad will be sent to your website.
Facebook Ads is one of the best paid ad options for businesses. The social networking giant will ask you to provide it with information about your target audience or a description of typical Buyer’s Profile. Facebook will use the information as a guide so it will know where to place your paid ad.
The biggest advantage of Facebook Ads is that they will run your ad through multiple sites: Facebook, Messenger and Instagram. In addition, Facebook Ads has the Audience Network feature which will position your ad in other websites and apps that are patronized by users who fit your Buyer’s Profile.
4. Generate More Leads to Your Business
Businesses need to constantly generate leads in order to create new markets and find potential end users of their products and services.
One of the most effective ways social media marketing can help you generate more leads is through regular engagement. This is another reason why you should stay active on social media.
For example, if you have been consistently posting great, relevant and usable content for your pet care products business, you could expect to elicit the following comments:
- “Where can I find your products and services?”
- “How can I reach you?”
- “Do you deliver?”
- “Do you have a price list?”
These comments are all entry points for you to bring more leads through your sales funnel. Once they land on your website, you can use call-to-action strategies such as free e-books and newsletters to get their email addresses.
5. Build Brand Awareness for Your Business
Your brand identifies who you are and what your business is all about. Branding creates your business identity which helps attract targeted end-users. But establishing a brand does not happen overnight. It takes consistency and dedicated effort to create an image that is strongly associated with your business.
Social media marketing gives you different conduits for your branding strategy. A business that retails fashion apparel and accessories can use Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to promote their brand.
In their Facebook and Instagram pages, they can share videos and images of how their products are made or a typical day in the office and factory. Other ideas include videos showing employees attending seminars and workshops or company officers participating in socio-economic activities.
In Pinterest, the fashion retailer can create a community “Pin Board” where employees can share ideas openly, post tips and give suggestions on sales tactics and how to improve processes.
These types of content give your audience a better idea of who you are and the type of culture that thrives within your organization. According to Nobel Prize winning psychiatrist Daniel Kahneman, consumers will patronize brands whose values and cultures they can align with.
6. Create Strong Relationships with Your Customers
Social media networks allow you to create business pages which you can use for more than just posting content.
You can include relevant information about your business: product listing, physical address, website, email address and list of services offered among others.
Platforms such as Facebook has a chat feature through its Messenger app. Customers who want to address an issue or concern privately can do it through Messenger.
Responding within 24 hours and finding immediate resolution will go a long way in improving your image and business reputation in the industry. Some customers are so happy with customer service that they share the conversation in their own social media community.
You can also use the business page to invite customers to collaborate with you on new products or give suggestions on how to improve services. This is another great way to build your brand and establish strong, long-lasting relationships with your customers.
7. Enhance Your Business Reputation
Social media marketing gives you the platform to share your experience and expertise to your community. A person who decides to follow your Facebook page, for example, is interested in your products or services.
Sharing information on what you can do will not only enhance your business reputation but may help convert followers into paying customers.
What types of content should you post to boost your reputation as an expert and valuable resource in the industry?
- Latest developments in the industry;
- Opinion pieces on current issues;
- “How To” articles that provide valuable and usable tips;
- List- type articles that summarize recommendations and product reviews;
- Informative articles that address the present day concerns of your audience.
Twitter is a great network for building your business reputation. Frequently check threads in your community. If you come across a subject of discussion that falls under your specialty or business competence, jump right in and provide possible solutions.
8. Social Media Marketing is Cost Effective
Signing up for the basic features in a social media network will not cost you a cent. However, if you want to use more advanced features, you will have to pay a monthly subscription fee.
But the great thing about social media marketing is that you can design a campaign that will fit your marketing budget.
You can learn more about managing a successful low budget social media marketing campaign in our article, “How to Set Up a Low Budget but Highly Effective Digital Marketing Campaign”.
Here are a few quick tips on how you can stay within your social media marketing budget:
- Choose only 2 to 3 social media networks;
- Sign up for the basic features or the free membership;
- Start out slow by publishing content at least three times a week;
- Use the Buffer app to publish your content according to schedule;
- Don’t hesitate to repurpose old content; it can help you find a new audience.
Conclusion
Whether your business objective is to increase sales, generate more leads, improve your website ranking in Google or to enhance your reputation as an expert in the industry, social media marketing can provide you the best options to achieve your goals.
Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are great for publishing blogs. YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest are effective vehicles for distributing video and image based content.
Twitter is a wonderful tool for launching store promotions and like Facebook, can be used to strengthen your customer service channels.
Social media marketing is a strategy that will continue to remain relevant and valuable as business and consumers increasingly become more dependent on the Internet and mobile devices to address their various needs and concerns.
Did our article give you more insights on what social media marketing can do for your business? If you have experiences and other social media marketing tips that you want to share, please feel free to comment below.
If you want to learn more about social media marketing, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or an email. We will get back to you right away!
