The Business Benefits of Social Media
We have been living in the age of Social Media for years now. Most of us use it to connect with family and friends, for entertainment or to keep up to date with news or products.
A small percentage of us has come to realize that social media is far more important than being a time waster.
Whether if you realize it or not, everything that you post is an advertisement. Every picture, link or mention is Free advertisement. For those of us that already know this, we have found ways to take advantage of this.
The benefits of social media for your business can be massive. Branding, exposure and connecting to your audience are a few of many benefits.
Connect to a Wider Audience
“According to estimates, the number of worldwide social media users reached 2.34 billion and is expected to grow to some 2.95 billion by 2020.” – statista.com. In a matter of months, social media users grew by 121 million last year.
As you can see by the numbers, social media is a powerhouse that shows no signs of slowing down. This is an amazing amount of potential customers, with a possibility of billions more if it continues to grow.
Research shows that social media users from ages 35-49 spend around 7 hours a week on social networks. That is more then enough time to get your business or brand in front of their eyes. Social networks also reach different areas across the globe, so your brand can expand across the world.
Increase Brand Exposure
Immediately trusting a small business or brand without research isn’t common. We are use to seeing scams and fly by night companies. Therefore we are more reluctant to spend our hard earned money so freely. Just having a website isn’t enough for most consumers. Social pages can help your brand look genuine, especially if you have many followers and support.
Businesses use social media to “develop their business’ image or market products”. As I stated before, most users use social networks to keep up to date with their interest and to discover new products. If your business so happens to deal with their interest, your business and products can be discovered naturally.
When I say naturally, I mean by retweets, shares or repost. People tend to trust the thoughts or opinions of people they know or like. So if they see a friend share something pertaining to your business, they are more likely to click it than an ad. This further builds your brand, as every share builds your exposure.
Connect With Current and Potential Customers
Social media makes it easier to communicate with customers than email. It is also quicker and more efficient, especially if other customers have similiar questions. Users feel more positive and important when a business responds to them. If you spend money with a company that doesn’t respond or interact with you, you are less likely to spend money with them again.
You can also engage your audience with questions or surveys to better your overall product or to create new ones. Involving your customers can help build trust and a loyal relationship with them.
Closing
With all the benefits of Social Media (including Free advertisement), why would you not use it for your business?
