Social media is here, and here to stay. If you haven’t jumped on board yet, now is a great time to get started.
When you choose the right platform, social media is a fast, effective and cheap way to attract new customers. So what are the real benefits? Let’s go through them together.
Using social media AKA free marketing
Social media gives businesses the opportunity to stay on peoples screens all day long. Gone are the days where small businesses have to fork out sacks of cash for a one-off advert in the papers or on television. Social media gives free access to thousands (sometimes millions) of people just waiting to find a company like yours. If you know who you’re looking for, it’s like shooting fish in a barrel.
Regular engagement with customers
Nowadays running a business is so much more than brick and mortar exchanges at a cash register. Loads of businesses operate online with appointments, orders and communication all being fulfilled online. It makes sense then, does it not – to connect with those customers on a deeper level… to maintain that special relationship with your “regulars” through a platform that allows you to stay in touch. Being that friendly face online can be the difference between getting the booking/recommendation/client, or not.
Popularity sells
Whether we like to admit it or not – human beings share a mob mentality. This includes purchasing psychology and behaviour. If your company has a strong following, you look more trustworthy than let’s say, your less-popular competitor up the road. A strong online presence and loads of followers shows people you’re established, trustworthy and therefore probably doing a good job. If you’ve ever trawled through the product reviews on amazon, you’ll know exactly how seductive peer reviews can be before that all-important purchase.
Standing out from the crowd on social media
Social media just might be the golden ticket you need to stand out. Websites are all well and good, but people don’t really read them. Social media however, allows for a lot more wiggle room to express your company values and thoughts – maybe even get a little controversial if the time is right. For example, you might want to highlight the common scams a “cowboy” in your industry might employ – and how you would do it differently.
Not only does this kind of content give people some valuable information to avoid getting scammed – you also position yourself as an expert. Lo and behold – those followers and inevitable customers will come rolling in.
Make the most of data analysis
Using social media for business allows you to track insights and data from your audience. It can tell you how many impressions your content receives, and how many customer click through to your website.
More personal data such as age, gender and location can be a godsend to areas such as marking out future expansions in your company. Facebook and Instagram will tell you what time and days of the week your followers online, so you know when to catch them to get the most views. There’s nothing I like more than social media data analysis – without it, most companies are just guessing at what their customers want. Dangerous territory!
Local awareness
When I talk to new clients, they nearly all want the same thing – local awareness and more customers. Social media can give you this in buckets – but only when done right. If you’re interested in delving into Facebook marketing, you can watch my free video tips here.
About the Author
Catherine Jarvis Clothier is a digital marketer and online presence specialist living and working in Kent, UK. She has worked in unusual UK businesses for over 10 years across the South of England, particularly in automotive and therapy-based enterprises. Catherine specialises in social media, SEO and web design. She can be contacted here for online business consultations.
