Connectivity is the new normal, with the advent of the mobile Internet, we can now access the world of digital right at our fingertips. Regardless of where we might be, smartphones have allowed us to look for answers anytime – not to mention, to purchase products from brands with an established online presence.
While mobile connectivity has paved the way for us to engage with brands in every conceivable way, it has also created great opportunities for business alike. It has opened the doors for them to interact with a wider audience and offer personalised interactions to consumers.
As a wealth of opportunities lie ahead, how can businesses get the most out of them?
It is said that to reach out effectively to your audience, a business should be where their targeted market is – and in the case of increased connectivity today, it means being in the social media platforms where the majority of your audience is.
As an SEO agency in Singapore that offers social media management services, we look into the value of social media presence as well as which platforms you should prioritise.
The Benefits of Social Media for Business
More than half of the worldwide population has access to the Internet. As such, it’s crucial for brands to include social media in their digital marketing strategies. Below, we listed some of the many benefits of having social media presence for businesses.
- Increase brand awareness. Because the majority of your targeted market is on social media, it proves a great place to reach a new audience and maintain a relationship with them. If you think users connect only with brands they already know, statistics prove otherwise. Studies show that an average of 60% of Instagram users discover new products on the site.
Such awareness will not only introduce you to potential customers but will also help you establish a reputation as a thought leader. In return, this thought leadership will build consumer trust – an idea that’s supported by 80% of consumers surveyed by LinkedIn.
- Humanise your brand. Humanising your brand is one of the key benefits of using social media. It offers you the opportunity to introduce your audience to the people who make up your brand as well as the customers who are already benefiting from your products and services.
To connect with your audience, it’s critical to show the human side of your brand. One way to achieve this is to engage them in conversation. Ask them what they want to see from your brand. If a customer consistently buys your products, thank them for their patronage. If you see a follower commenting on your post, jump into a discussion. These are only some of the ways to prove that you’re paying attention and that you care about them.
- Generate leads. All these efforts are intended to improve interaction with your brand. The more you engage with your users, the more likely they’ll recognise you as a reliable brand. It may require more work but it can guarantee to generate more leads in the long run.
Social media has proven to be one of the most cost-effective ways to connect with your users. It offers ways to increase brand awareness and gain a strong base of followers that can turn into loyal customers.
But, with so many options out there, it may be hard for you to determine which ones to prioritise. So, we created a list of the most effective social media platforms where we think you should put your resources in.
Social Media Platforms to Be On
1. Facebook
Facebook has over 2.32 billion monthly active users and as a business, it’s basically too great of an audience to ignore. But, it’s not the only reason that makes Facebook the ultimate social media powerhouse. Its reach is so expansive that some SMEs prefer to have a Facebook page instead of a website. What’s more it also offers a wide range of marketing tools that give you access to information about your followers, their demographics, interests, as well as behaviours.
2. Instagram
Second to Facebook, Instagram has the largest following that’s primarily composed of users between 18-29 years old. So, if your primary audience falls in that category, it’s imperative that you add Instagram as part of your social media marketing plans and to be successful in this image-centric platform, you must create high-quality visuals that appeal to your targeted market. In addition to these, Instagram also offers paid advertising options which you can utilise for affordable costs.
3. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is by far the most business-oriented type of social media thus, proves a great way to connect with professionals and businesses in your niche. Because it’s quite an outdated platform, it relies more on text-based content than visuals. Nevertheless, it remains valuable in terms of establishing connections with high-profile people and finding employees, particularly for B2B small businesses.
4. Twitter
Last on the list, Twitter is another platform to consider, particularly when you’re marketing to younger audiences. Keep in mind that as your business grows, so will the number of users talking about your brand, products, and services. So, it’s good to be in the place where people refer to your business and be involved in the conversation. There are tools such as the Mention app, which allow you to monitor what others are saying about you.
There are many other social media platforms you can consider such as Pinterest, Tumblr, YouTube, and Snapchat to name a few. But, we think the ones on our list are those that need to be put on your priority list. Nevertheless, you can always experiment on your options and determine which ones don’t get you any traction.
When it comes to finding the most effective social media platforms, there’s no one size that fits all. So, take it one step at a time, evaluate what works and focus on it – and that’s the ultimate social media strategy you can do for your business.
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