So you may have pledged since its inception and resulting frenzy that you would NEVER join the droves of social media fanatics and create a Facebook, Twitter or any kind social media account. You may think that your business does not need to take part because social networking was created for personal use. But rest assured that all the perceived barriers that were up for social networking have blurred and now it has become an absolutely essential marketing tool for any business. Now that consumers, or “followers”, have been granted access to become a part of the conversation surrounding their favorite businesses, personalities and products, they tend to get the idea that any company without a social media presence is either stuffy, un-relatable or too corporate. So WHY should you create a social media presence for your business?
1. Consumers Want a Voice
Social media presence allows your consumers to have more of an insider look into what goes into creating your business. You may feel that you are wasting precious work hours by blogging about your company’s Halloween Costume Contest or tweeting about a new deal you just signed, but it really provides you with FREE market research. With social media, your consumers can directly participate in the online conversation regarding your new products, promotions and ideas and also give you feedback about what you already do best. Consumers are more likely to respond to your tweet or Facebook post than to send a generic e-mail off to your customer service department that will most likely result in an automatic response saying they will hear back in 2-3 weeks. When consumers feel like they have a say in your business they are more likely to trust your business and will therefore be more loyal.
2. Free Press
Social media allows you a greater number of online outlets in which to plug your business! Although your company’s homepage is vital to creating your online branding, having a social media presence allows you to reach out to consumers and potential consumers in an environment in which they are already present and spending a great deal of time and attention. You can use your social media accounts to drive more traffic to your own sites and news.
3. Streamline Your Networking
While personal and phone interaction still hold great value in creating and maintaining professional relationships, social networking now allows your business to streamline this process. Now, after you enter your latest collection of business cards into your Rolodex, it is essential that you find these contacts on all your social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin are the best places to start and are ideal for different situations. Facebook will keep you up to date on a client’s birthday or their latest news of interest that they’ve post. Linkedin will allow you to write professional recommendations for others you have done business with.
4. Create New and Exciting Branding
You may have recently updated your company’s website and feel that you have a “fresher” look, but creating a social media presence will allow you spread your branding in more innovative and interactive ways. Facebook is constantly adding new applications to allow you to reach out to your “followers”. Whether it is a contest, a poll, or a fun game, by included elements that require participation, you are more likely to pique the interest of your followers when you are posting more relevant content for your company.
5. Edge of Immediacy
Consumers want things NOW. They want products and services today and they want new and interesting content this minute. By creating a voice for your company through social media, you are able to reach consumers on this immediate level to maintain a constant flow of your brand in their mind. Let’s face it: today’s consumers get bored and lose interest incredibly fast, and if you’re not doing everything in your power to be in the forefront of their daily messaging, you are just asking to be swept under the rug.
It’s not that no one is listening to the radio, watching television or reading the newspaper. But it is certainly a fact that more and more people are hopping on the social media bandwagon and it is plowing full force ahead. So are you going to get on board or be left at the station?
