Social media for businesses is no longer optional – it’s absolutely essential.
More than 95% of Australians use the internet, and more than 80% of those are active on social media. Not using social media for your business means you’re missing out on reaching those 21 million potential customers, and growing your brand will be near impossible.
If those statistics aren’t enough to convince you, here are some other benefits to using social media sites like Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn for your business.
Isn’t social media just another way to sell my products or services?
Social media sites are more than just ad channels. They can help your business perform better in many ways, from helping you respond to customer complaints to attracting new employees. Here’s an overview of the four top reasons social media marketing is worth investing in.
Social media helps your business to:
Top 10 ways social media is good for your business
Not all social media platforms will suit your business, and you don’t have to have a presence on all of them, just the ones your target demographic is likely to use.
Here are the top 10 ways social media can give your business a boost, along with some suggestions on which platforms might be best for you.
1. Get to know your customers
Social media is an easy way to ask your customers directly what they want! (And most people won’t be shy in telling you.) This can also help to build your customers’ engagement with your business by giving them a sense of ownership.
It’s also an effective way to get your customers working with you with user-generated content. For example, creating a hashtag where you can share content, and your followers can get excited about your brand.
You can also use data from social media sites to dictate which direction to take your business and help you target your audience better.
2. Manage your brand’s reputation
Negative attention can be one of the reasons business owners are reluctant to use social media. However, it’s your chance to show how your business responds to negative feedback – and to create a positive image!
Customers are already talking about you, whether or not you are active on social media, so it’s a good idea to get on top of things such as customer complaints before they go viral!
3. Keep the competition close
Social media has great tools to help you keep track of your competition and what people are saying about them. This might allow you to address problems they are having and offer an alternative or solutions. It will also allow you to know when they’re launching new products that might impact your own business.
4. Grow your brand
It doesn’t matter if your business is large, small or service-based, your existing customers will be looking for you on social media. Having a social presence will allow you to connect with customers who don’t know you exist. In fact, business accounts with fewer followers can benefit from higher engagement rates than bigger brands.
5. Grow your website traffic
One of the best advantages of social media is that it will help direct customers and clients to your website to find out more about you and your business. For example, posting content such as a ‘teaser’ about a podcast, blog, or product can direct people to your website for more information.
6. Humanise your business
Social media is a great way to introduce your followers to your staff and voice your company values. It’s also a great way to show others how people use and benefit from your products or services. Being authentic will help you gain followers and likely turn into sales or new business.
7. The familiarity effect
People are unconsciously drawn to things that are familiar to them. With so many millions of people using social media every day (several times a day), it makes sense to use this to your advantage by having your business at the front of their minds when it comes to buying products or services because they’ve just seen you on social media.
8. Be a source of information
The main reason people use the internet is to find information. No matter what industry you’re in, social media offers the opportunity to establish your brand as an expert in your field. Social media sites such as LinkedIn are great for this sort of information sharing and may even help you find future employees who value your know-how.
Getting involved in social media by showing you’re an expert in your field can also help drive traffic to your website as people seek out the information they’re looking for.
Social media is also a great way to stay on top of news related to your industry or business.
9. Generate new leads for social sales and target your advertising
Social media is increasingly important for e-commerce and as a way to turn new followers into customers. It is a casual way for people to show interest in your brand or product and a low-cost way for you to connect to those potential customers compared to traditional advertising methods.
It also helps you target your key demographic by using social media analytics to craft messages specifically for the audiences you are trying to reach.
Another benefit of social media is that it’s an easy way to track your return on investment, from follows right through to purchases.
10. Tap into the influence of others
When it comes to buying products or services, recommendations from friends and reviews are important to people. This is where influencers come in. Even if you don’t think your business can afford to work with influencers or that it aligns with your brand values, there are other ways to tap into that ‘celebrity power’.
Working with smaller content creators on social media is becoming more popular. They don’t have to have hundreds of thousands of followers to help you promote your products. Find content creators with a smaller, more targeted following who align with your brand to help you demonstrate the value of your business.
Where to start when it comes to social media marketing for your business
Social media marketing can be a full-time job for some businesses. But as it’s so crucial, it’s worth investing in for the flow-on effects it has for your entire business.
Handing over the reins to someone else when it comes to social media for your brand, or seeking advice on where to concentrate your efforts, can save you a lot of money and wasted hours scrolling Instagram reels and TikTok.
Moreso, effective social media for businesses requires more than just knowing how to make a post. It requires knowing how to strategically navigate the competition priorities of social media, like serving your audience while also marketing to them.
Give us a call to get started making social media content that WORKS!
When it comes to strategies, creating and posting content, All In Creative can help you reach your digital goals.
We thrive on seeing our client’s businesses succeed, whether they’re looking for brand recognition or direct sales. Results are important to us! Give us a call today at 1300 993 010, or get in touch with our team to see how we can help you. We are here to help you look awesome!
