Over the years, as technology advances, the different sectors of our society also changes. These include the business sector, which is an important part of our society. Every business has to adapt to those changes in order to flourish and or survive. One of the most significant contributions of our technology is the Internet. And with the ever fast growing pace of the Internet, business owners, entrepreneurs and marketers also have to catch up to fully utilize its power.
The social media
Then, the Internet gives birth to social media. It allows people to connect with each other through the different types of social media. There are six types of social media as of the moment and these include social networks (e.g., Facebook and Google+), blogs (e.g., WordPress and Blogger), wikis, podcasts, forums, content communities, video sharing sites (e.g., Youtube and Dailymotion), and microblogging sites (e.g, Twitter and Tumblr).
The evolution of this form of media has changed the way people, organizations, and businesses interact with each other. It gave them an efficient avenue to communicate and exchange ideas. It also gives them an opportunity to promote their business, brand and products to a wider audience anywhere and anytime.
What is social media marketing?
Social media marketing can be defined as the process of gaining website traffic, publicity or attention from targeted audience through social media sites. Business owners and Internet marketers usually use social media marketing techniques and strategies to attract more potential customers, as well as retain existing customers.
Every business should consider utilizing it
A business has to leverage social media sites to generate new customers and increase sales. Since people hang and converse with each other through these sites most of the time, businesses can connect, listen, and get closer to them. They should start looking into the prospect of social media marketing. They can use important marketing data and insight, such as the views and opinions of the public regarding a product or a business to help them in improving and innovating their service or product.
Since millions of people are online every hour, businesses can take advantage of social media sites by posting and sharing their product, business profile, services offered, and other related stuff online. This would increase awareness from potential buyers and create a better form of advertising. Most of these internet savvy people respond to online advertisements since it is less time-consuming. With just one click, they can already order and get the products they need. Those products are bought and marketed more efficiently.
Social media can be free to use
Social media marketing can be one of the most efficient and effective marketing strategies available. Although you may have a limited budget, you can still broadcast your business to your targeted audience since most of the social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter, are free to use. You can register an account for free and start posting and sharing your pictures, videos and links of your products and services to potential customers through social media pages, such as Facebook business pages, Google+ pages, and Twitter business profiles.
The benefits of social media marketing
Social media marketing have several advantages that can help your business succeed and achieve its goals. Here are some of the benefits of Social Media Marketing:
- Customer Acquisition – You will be able to reach a wider audience which can help you attract and get more customers.
- Brand Awareness – Interacting with different people and making closer and better relationships with them can improve your brand and marketing management.
- Targeted Marketing – Social media group people and give important marketing insights, such as users’ location and demographics, which can help you target your market more effectively.
- Customer Retention – Keeping in touch with your existing clients can increase their trust, confidence and loyalty with your business.
- Fast and Immediate Results – Through the Internet, social media can be accessed in just one click 24/7/360 anywhere.
Final Thoughts
Social media marketing is one effective method of bringing your business to the next level. Leveraging the social media can give you a lot of advantages over your big competitors though you’re running a small business. All you need to do is to bring quality business and outstanding public relations in the social media and in the online world, just as you do it in the offline world.
This is a guest post from Herbert Kikoy. Herbet is the author behind Two-sided Perspective, a blog about views and insights on Blogging, SEO, Internet Marketing and Social Media. +Herbert is an online freelancer, a husband and a father who loves to tinker the web during his past time.
Our guest authors represent our guest bloggers who contributed interesting and useful articles for our blog’s readers. They write anything from business, entrepreneurship, management, Internet marketing and social media. Details of the guest authors are mentioned on the bottom of each post.
Herbert says
Thank you Sir Vic for allowing me to contribute here.. Thank you so much for the privilege
Vic says
Thanks and your welcome. Continue doing a great job.