Social media was originally designed for personal interactions but has transformed to become a crucial business tool. Businesses are integrating social media into their marketing and PR strategies to maximize their digital presence. This trend has been adapted by startups and established businesses alike because of the immense benefits accrued from social media usage. The power of social media cannot be denied by all means.
Tactical Tool
Social media has been used as a tactical tool to capture the attention of customers. It is used to build images and enhance the profile of a brand online. With millions logins on social media daily, this is a perfect platform to interact with the public. Some of the options available to brands that seek to maximize their online presence include creating profiles on social media, sharing their websites and blogs as well as creative advertisements on such platforms as Facebook and through podcasts and apps.
Spread the Word
Social media is a perfect tool to create a viral impact. It enables you to spread the word about your brand and product to the largest number of people within the shortest time. With social media connections growing at an astronomical scale, your word and that of your brand will spread to the entire world in a flash. Simple social media actions like ‘liking’ a page, tweeting or sharing will instantly improve your visibility.
There is a great deal of peer influence on social media. People identify with celebrities and icons in the society and will trust their judgment on products. A mention, share or like by a celebrity will offer an incredible lift to your brand. Other options include reviews on blogs and other platforms. These reviews are shared instantly around the world with millions viewing and taking note of what has been shared.
Video streaming is an essential part of social media. Consumers are using videos to review products and share their experiences on social media platforms. YouTube is a perfect example where the videos are shared on different platforms to the point of going viral. It is impossible and suicidal to ignore the place of social media in enhancing digital presence. In fact, potential consumers are turning to social media to assist in decision making on the best products to buy. Companies that run YouTube channels are better placed to reap the benefits of such platforms.
Communication Tool
The original idea behind social media was to keep in touch. This has taken a new shape with brands using social media to communicate with their clients and potential customers. On numerous occasions, the launch of products and services has been announced on social media. It creates a buzz with the information travelling faster than it would if the brands had used conventional broadcast means.
The aspect of instant access makes social media the idea communication tool. Internet users no longer have to wait until top-of-the-hour or evening to get the news. A single tweet from one corner of the globe will be received by another continent within minutes. This has been boosted by the availability of social media on mobile devices. For a brand, it means that you can talk to your customers and clients any time of day or night.
The cost of communicating with clients and potential customers on social media is minimal compared to other channels. Successful companies in social media influence are using the platforms to address customer service issues. An explanation about a product, service interruption, new features, etc can be made through a post, a tweet or by chatting. The cost to the brand is almost similar to what an individual with very limited financial muscle would pay. As such, it is an effective tool for reducing expenditure in communication and customer service.
Beyond customer service, social media has a role to play in public relations. Positive mentions by followers and friends create a desirable image for a brand. Negative media mentions can be countered by positive social media posts which are made to go viral. A company can instantly and effortlessly apologize to the global audience through social media. This is instant will get to the masses in the wording that will portray the desired image.
Enhancing Social Media Influence
To effectively use social media, you will require a detailed strategy. The strategy should consider the target audience since social media platforms also tag along people who are not interested. This class cannot be ignored either because it has an influence on perception. Influencers come in three categories namely social broadcasters, mass influencers and potential influences. An expert in social media marketing will assist you develop a strategy that works for all the classes. Social media is in fact becoming more influential in marketing and customer engagement. Since there are advanced performance measuring tools, you have a chance to establish whether the plan put in place by your experts is working and whether it will deliver value for money.