You must have heard the saying that human beings are social animals. They love to chat up and express themselves creatively. In the 21st century, this behavior is evident on social media. Social media is a collection of online social networking platforms that enable users to create their digital profiles, interact with their friends in real-time, read up on current news, post their ardent views and participate in the trending chatter by leaving their impressions on viral threads, etc.
To become a part of the social media world, you need to have a functional device like a smartphone with access to social media apps or sites and a high-speed internet from the likes of Cox internet service at your back. It is estimated that the importance of social media is likely to grow ten times more in the upcoming years, which is why small businesses are encouraged to utilize this channel for increasing their sales. Let’s learn more about it below.
Why Do You Need Social Media for Your Small Business?
Good question. The answer is because things are changing. Consumer likes, tastes, and demands evolve with the passage of time and the developments in technology. In the past, people were content to visit a shop in a marketplace and purchase their required product any which way, without thinking about it too much. Nowadays, due to the proliferation of options online, consumers are harder to satisfy. If they don’t like what they see on a website, they immediately shift to another one in a heartbeat. Therefore, small businesses, startups, and brands have to work harder to attract the attention of online users and retain their interest if they are to gain a competitive edge in the market. And, social media is where they should start from.
At present, there are more than four billion active social media users around the world, who spend an average of three hours on social media apps and platforms every day. Tapping into such a huge pool of users can only lead to success for your small business. Traditional forms of marketing campaigns can only help you go a certain way. To convert a gigantic online crowd into your loyal customers, you have to target social media platforms. When you create social media marketing campaigns for your small business, you can:
- Boost brand awareness
- Increase web traffic
- Generate more leads
- Build organic visibility
- Sell directly within social media for free
- Develop valuable customer relationships
- Network better with influencers & partners
- Gain customer feedback
- Provide customer care services
So on and so forth.
How to Use Social Media for Your Small Business?
Now that we have realized the potential of social media for promoting small business growth, let’s move on to the strategies and tips for making the best use of social channels and platforms.
Plan Effectively
Social media is like a bottomless ocean. It is not wise to jump into it headfirst without forethought. Plan your social media strategy. Define your goals. Research competitors to see what’s working for them and what’s not. Note the best social media practices of successful businesses in your industry. Incorporate them into your social media calendar before getting started.
Decide Platforms
Not every social media platform will suit your brand’s theme and story. Different social media channels serve different purposes and different kinds of audiences. For instance, if you’re selling baby monitors, Facebook will help you reach the parenting community better. Whereas, if you’re rolling out makeup products, TikTok and Instagram will generate more leads for you. Choose one social media platform for your small business or implement an omnichannel strategy.
Analyze Audience
Understanding buyers is crucial for streamlining the voice of your brand so that it pulls in the right clients at the right time. Use social media analytical tools like Hootsuite to see where the engagement is coming from, which hashtags are being responded to, what type of users are interacting with your products or services, and which demographics do they belong to, etc. Create an ideal buyer persona for your small business and target it in your social media posts and marketing campaigns.
Build Community
A social community has the power to make or break a brand. If you get their vote on your side, nothing can drag you down. Through social media, you can attain a dedicated and loyal pool of subscribers, who not only come back for more purchases but also bring their friends along, saving your client acquisition costs and boosting your revenue. Some of the best ways to harness a social media following are:
- Create a Facebook group
- Collaborate with social media influencers
- Jump on a hot trend
- Mention your followers in your stories and posts
- Promote user-generated content
- Arrange polls and contests with freebies and awards
- Respond to comments and set up a highly-responsive customer service team that’s always available.
Wrapping Up
Therefore, do not underestimate the power of social media, especially if you are running a small business and wish to see it survive the market turbulences in the future.