Why use social media for business?

With 4.2 billion social media users around the world, it’s become increasingly important for businesses to have a presence online. Over half the world’s population are using social networks and so it might seem important for your business to engage with them and use them effectively. But why?

There are lots of reasons why, but if you’ve not considered it before, then it might not seem that important. This article highlights some of the key reasons, and then you can make a decision whether social media can enhance your businesses audience, brand awareness and sales.

Reach a specific audience

With so many people on social media, you may think that you would be looking for a needle in a haystack trying to find the audience that might be interested in your product or service. That’s probably not true. If you sell doll’s house accessories, there are likely to be a number of communities within social media networks that are specifically for that purpose. By engaging with these communities, you have an audience that is interested in your product. What’s more, people in their networks will see that they are engaging with you and then might also choose to engage. The possibilities of reaching very specific audiences are there.

Gives a creative outlet

Social media could allow a creative outlet for your business. It might allow you to be a bit more playful, to engage with your customers directly (in a way you couldn’t before), or to get involved in topical conversations that aren’t directly related to your business but interest you. All of this gives a human voice to your business. As humans we like to connect, and so if people can see a human side of you that they like, they are more likely to buy your product or service.

Your product in action

Many people will share with their social networks how they have found a product or service, whether it is working for them and what their opinion is. If people are discussing your product favourably then others will see your product in action, and the effect that it could have on their lives also. These are markets that you may not ordinarily reach, and that has cost you little of your advertising budget.

You are literally in people’s hands

As many people access social media on their mobile phones, you are in their pockets all day, and in their hands whenever they check their news feeds. This means that someone could be seeing your product or service several times a day. You will be high on their recall if they ever need your service. They may suggest you to family and friends as they trust your content and feel part of a community that you are in.

Boost sales

One marketing adage is that people need to see your product seven times or more before they will buy. The advantage of social is that it’s fairly easy to keep showing up and be seen on people’s feeds. As people check social networks regularly, the more you appear, the more likely they are to buy your product.

Get new content

One of the reasons that you may have shied away from using social media is that it takes time to create content and engage meaningfully. That is true, but not as much time as you might think. You can use User Generated Content regularly. This is content that has come directly from users of your product. It might be a review they have written, a comment they have made, or a question they have asked. All of these can help to shape and form multiple bits of content for you.

Having your business on social media does take an effort, but with the amount of people you’ll reach, and the relatively low spend, it’s worth investing in so that you can generate more customers, leads and sales.