How well is your business using social media to market? Marketing has evolved from being an offline strategy to taking over the digital space. In fact, new platforms are popping up every day, that’s even impossible to keep up. In 2021, social media is proving to be more important than ever, with a pandemic lurking somewhere along the lines.
Research has shown that 47% of internet users aged 16-64 across 17 countries are spending longer on social media (23% “significantly” longer), especially since the pandemic disrupted the normalcy of lives and businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many big and small businesses to modify their day-to-day operations and adapt to start doing business primarily online. So, it is no surprise there is an unprecedented change in social media usage.
Social media is essential these days – because it allows you to reach, nurture, and engage with your target audience — no matter their location. Even as a small business owner, you can use it to connect with its audience, it can use social media to generate brand awareness, leads, sales, and revenue.
At a time when money is tighter than ever, social media can be a lifeline. However, it can serve many functions, and it plays an increasingly crucial role in driving sales, providing customer service, and improving brand awareness. Here are five reasons why small businesses need social media and should optimise:
5 Reasons Why Small Businesses Need Social Media in 2021
Easier to Gain Brand Recognition:
Brand recognition is the extent or can be referred to as your customers’ ability to identify your product or brand. It can be through a logo, a trademark or even a tagline. Small businesses need to leverage social media to gain brand recognition because it allows easy and effective brand building.
This is because the benefit of advertising on social media gets your business closer and faster to your target audience than when you use the traditional means of marketing. Furthermore, it gets your audience to look at your brand even when they aren’t thinking about your brand or product. When fans or customers recognise your business, you can also gain leads and improve your reach beyond the current target audience.
Grow Brand Reputation:
Good reputation does not only put your business in the good books with your customers; it gives you a good image in general. Social media helps you improve visibility, and thus increase recognition for your brand. It also provides your business with the opportunity to respond to negative reviews, overcome negative publicity, and salvage certain situations without the complexity of employing traditional methods or PR.
To do this via the different platforms, you’ll need a mix of proactive outreach, constant monitoring, and effective crisis management. By addressing any publicity on social media, you can show that your business is dedicated to righting wrongs and addressing customer concerns. While putting your brand out there in a new whole light, and pushes a narrative that entirely favours your business in a good way.
Allows You to Tell Your Brand Story:
Storytelling is the rave of the moment for brands. It’s an important tool that businesses can use to create a human connection with their target audience. It’s essential to have a brand story behind your business. This is because stories can make a great impact on your brand’s image.
Your story shouldn’t be complex. Rather, it should be simple or extensive depending on what you think will be most effective. Share stories of people who use your product or service. If they give you great feedback, share it! It’ll spread the message that your product is compelling enough for someone to provide you with positive feedback.
Social media also provides new opportunities to share your content and present your brand’s voice and personality in a way your customers can relate to. By posting compelling content that adds value for your target audience, you make your brand both more accessible and familiar for new leads and current customers.
Increases Personalization:
Social media can help your business achieve personalisation with your customers. Personalisation is a priority, especially in this age of the digital world. Consumers appreciate brands that get to know them and understand when it is and isn’t appropriate to sell.
With these platforms, you can develop a more personal interaction with your target audience, and you can serve them ads depending on their interests and previous interactions.
Generates Loyalty with Customers:
Social media has had another positive impact on businesses, which is helping brands generate more loyalty. The first way that businesses can do this is by encouraging interaction. When you have an online presence, you make it easier for your customers to find you and connect with you.
By connecting with your customers through social media, you are more probable to upsurge customer retention and customer loyalty. Since developing a loyal customer base is one of the main goals of almost any business. Customer satisfaction and brand loyalty typically go hand in hand. It is essential to often engage with your customers and start developing a bond with them.
Social media is not just limited to introducing your product, it is also a leading platform for promotional campaigns. A customer sees these platforms as service channels where they can directly communicate with the business. By sharing your customer’s posts, it allows you to cultivate a loyal following as you can see how customers use the product after the sale.
The love for your product becomes contagious and before you know it, you have hundreds of brand evangelists. Another amazing way social media allows you to build a loyal following is by creating private groups.
Conclusion
Social media is an important tool all businesses should consider optimising their relationships with customers and build a human connection. Today most people are spending their time on social media. It does not matter whether your business is big or small. These platforms help you to connect with your customers, increase awareness about your brand.