Social media have a great impact on society. As various platforms were gradually implementing in our lives, brands also took notice. Let’s have a closer look!
A brief outline of social media marketing
Social media marketing, SMM for short, refers to a type of marketing that involves various social media platforms for promotion, advertisement, and other goals.
In retrospect, it all began with simple publishing to build awareness and increase customer traffic to websites.
Nowadays social media network serves as an essential tool to get insights from the business, improve a marketing strategy and create a better customer experience.
Social media statistics
According to one of the latest Statista surveys of January 2021, Facebook occupies the leading position among the other platforms in terms of business.
93% of marketers use Facebook for their business promotion. Another 78% choose Instagram for that purpose.
Oberlo Social Media statistic also highlights that about 70% of consumers who had a positive experience with a brand on social media are likely to recommend it to others.
Ways to merge website and social media
Taking the figures into account, it becomes possible to state that implementing social media into business proves to be highly beneficial. Here are some steps that can help you build a winning strategy.
1. Set your goal
Before you even begin creating accounts for your business, consider making up a plan. It can include a clear outline of your target audience, what kind of message you’d like to promote, and what your major aim is.
The choice of a social media platform or even a couple of them is highly dependant on what you want to achieve. Some of them are more suitable for information dissemination, while the others – for customers engagement and support.
The desired objective can also influence the type of content that is displayed on a social media page, depending on their performance.
2. Build emotional connection
One of the best practices for any business is to create an emotional bond between your brand and the audience.
Launching different kinds of campaigns will increase the engagement of the audience, especially if you touch upon a topic that they can relate to.
For example, the Dove company conducted research, which revealed that a great number of women face discrimination about their hair. That’s why many of them change their natural hair state to fit in the office.
Dove’s campaign #PassTheCrown promotes the idea that everyone should accept and embrace their natural beauty.
Telling stories of real people is always a good move, as much more customers are likely to relate to them. Ultimately, it will win your business loyal customers with a positive emotional experience.
3. Keep it easy
Display links to social media pages right away on your brand website. And try to ensure the understanding of the business specificities on whichever social media platform as well as the website.
A newly landed prospect may have accidentally come across your website or business Instagram page. Providing a brief description of the brand purpose, explicit information about the goods and the actual buying process will result in a better user experience.
Also, think about implementing chatbots on the website and Facebook, as an addition, to react to customers’ inquires instantly. According to TechJury statistics, about 40 million businesses already use Messenger chatbots as an e-commerce solution.
4. Enable the commenting section
Direct feedback from your customers is a great opportunity for any business retailer to take into consideration all the details mentioned by the purchasers. Moreover, sharing positive experiences can dispel the doubts of interested people.
Consider implementing some authentic reviews from the customers to the business website. Prospects can get some insightful information from them too. It also gives your brand more credibility as well as more expanded reach.
For example, Fabletics company engages its customers to use the MyFabletics hashtag and includes real Insta photos on their website afterwards.
5. Do analytics
Along with creating content and engaging customers, you’d probably like to know how your business is performing.
Of course, various social media platforms have built-in analytical tabs that can provide you with insights. If you want to acquire a deeper understanding, think about using other tools as well.
At present running a business via phone is not only possible but also easier. When it comes to managing your website or social media pages, a mobile app comes in handy.
Having all the desktop features in your pocket, you can stay in touch with your prospects and give instant replies to their inquiries. It enables you with doing analytics and auditing by considering customers’ history, for example.
Final thought
The choice of a social media platform is highly dependant on the content that you plan to share, alongside the target audience and the desired outcome.
Social media and technology, in general, are nowadays a great supplement for any business. They help to connect with the audience in a more effective way.
If you want to build awareness or manage your business efficiently, the right social media marketing is the option to ponder over.