What is Social Media? Should I get involved?
There is no doubt. Social Media has made its mark but the question most of us has, is how does Social Media help my
business? Why should I even consider it? Katrin Röpert from Web Angels, is a specialist in Search Engine Optimisation and Social Media, so we posed the question to her. The difference between how the customer uses it and why a business should have it.
Katrin Röpert explains:
Social Media itself is a fairly young concept but has conquered the world in the private and business world. It refers to the social act of talking, engaging and interacting with others through social networks and platforms on the web. Social Media has become part of everyday life for many people already: posting on Facebook, searching on Youtube, discovering Google Plus, bookmarking an interesting website or micro-blogging on Twitter. There are many faces to Social Media and it becomes obvious that it can be a useful marketing tool for any business. Social Media creates an interactive dialogue and has the power to reach thousands of potential customers without a high financial cost.
First of all: what are the benefits of using Social Media as an individual?
Social Media channels allow you to connect with friends, family and colleagues to engage and sha
re interesting content. You can organise events, update others on your status, share photos and videos and react to the posts of your friends. You can decide yourself who you want to follow (brands, businesses or public figures) and can stay up to date in your line of business, as well as changing technologies and connect with like-minded individuals! In some way or another you are already using Social Media, even just by reading this post and ‘liking’ it.
Is Social Media for your business?
Now think about your main target market! No matter what their age is: the question is not IF they are online, but WHERE they are online! They could be frequent Facebook users, or network on Linkedin. Others prefer reading and engaging on blogs or sharing pictures and videos on youtube or flickr. There are many Social Media channels and it is important to be selective, using the best platforms to reach your target market.
Social Media for a business is important for search engine optimisation of their website! With little time and effort and a very low budget, business can build up a customer base that is extremely loyal and engaging. Research proves that people who are virtually connected to a brand or business are more likely to purchase their products. The connection to the customers becomes much stronger and personal which makes Social Media marketing a unique way to bond with clients. It is not the usual one way channels (push marketing) but a new 2 way channel where your clients can react, give feedback and share with friends – your potential clients.
You can easily be frustrated with Social Media because you can put a lot of time and effort into it without seeing any return. It is therefore very important that you don’t just randomly start with Social Media. Create a Social Media plan and set goals that you want to achieve. Find someone to give you tips and do your research up front. It might even be easier to have it set up and get some training instead of spending hours and hours doing it yourself.
An important tip for all the different Social Media platforms: try to be consistent with your design. Your profile pictures should be similar, as well as layout and colours. Help new visitors to identify themselves with your brand.
Find out more about Social Media for your business by downloading the Web Angels Ebook. Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page to find out how to improve the online presence of your business: www.webangels.co.nz