Just about every business leader has heard about it, but that doesn’t mean every business leader understands it.
Social media is no longer optional. It’s a priority in every business’ marketing portfolio and it’s been this way now for years. The reason social media drives success is because it has revolutionized the way brands and businesses communicate with their customers.
While print marketing is still a valuable form of advertising, social media goes beyond one-way communication messaging. Social media is about engagement. It’s live and it provides businesses with the tool for two-way communication with their customers.
Sadly, only 1 out of 3 small businesses use social media according to research done in 2012 by Gartner, an IT research and advisory company. Furthermore, they also report that 50% of web sales will occur via social media by 2015.
Doesn’t it make sense for every business to be a part of that?
What business owners should know is that social media is now a major part of most people’s lives. That same research shows that 79% of Facebook fans are more likely to purchase from a brand they have connected with on Facebook. Facebook says they have more than one billion users on the site each month as of March 2013.
The statistics are practically yelling about how important this business opportunity is.
This gives brands the opportunity to humanize themselves and start engaging with consumers. In the process, businesses receive the following benefits:
- Increase sales
- Increase prospects and leads
- Build brand awareness
- Improve knowledge of prospects and clients
- Improve marketing ROI
- Become the thought leader in your industry
- Launch new products or services
Here is a checklist for business owners to understand what resources they need in order to effectively manage social media:
- Know your audience and who you are targeting: age, location, income, etc.
- Speak AND listen. Social media is not a billboard; it’s a conversational venue.
- Diversify your content. Post pictures, ask questions, experiment, and be fun.
- Be professional and personable. Depending on your brand and messaging strategy, you’ll fall somewhere in the middle of the professional-personal spectrum. Make sure messaging is never too stiff or too personal sounding.
- Know how to manage ROI or employ someone who does. Study metrics and insights and adjust content to what works.
- Know when to get help. If you are unable to do social properly and effectively, hire someone who can. There is no value in social media if it is not done right.
It’s past the time that every business owner understands social media so they can use it to their advantage. Almost 8 new people come onto the Internet every second. Will they find you?
Contact Tray, Inc. for your Social Media Management Solutions today.
From social to print, we are going to take you places. Contact us to get started today.
The Tray Way is the blog for Tray, experts in the printing, mailing, logistics and promotional products. You can learn more about our capabilities by visiting our website, as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages. For information about the company and its successes, visit www.trayinc.com
