In today’s business world, social media – such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram – have become the go-to platforms for everything from product promotion to product introduction to product review to staying connected with consumers and product users.
Using social media can provide businesses with many benefits. Not only does it allow a company to build brand awareness and increase exposure, it also allows them to promote new products and services at a cost far less than traditional advertising. Given the way messages spread rapidly with today’s digital connectivity, social media becomes the most effective way for businesses to reach thousands of potential consumers instantly.
Current research, in fact, indicates that social networks are used by more than two-thirds of the country. It also shows that individuals are more likely to trust online peer reviews for a product or service as opposed to traditional advertising. Why? Social media is about the user experience, whereas advertising is primarily about product availability.
Because of social media’s ability to connect more customers with your product, brand managers now have the ability to target specific audiences who might otherwise not be aware that your product or service even exists. Gathering data about consumer insights, interests and preferences allows marketers to more accurately tailor their message to a specific or multiple demographics.
Nearly 75 percent of Americans say product information found on social media sites directly influences their shopping behavior and purchasing decisions. – (Source: Androit Digital, 2015)
That said, with all the positive attributes social media offers, it’s not without challenges. Launching a successful social media initiative is a 24/7 commitment and needs to be managed effectively and continuously.
In this digital age, it’s important to understand that content is king. Business owners who want to increase product awareness and build brand loyalty need to create the right content to engage consumers and help influence their buying decisions. For that reason social media managers must constantly refresh their message, frequently update content and immediately address any negatively posted comments.
Additionally, since social media ultimately drives traffic to your website, it’s as important to keep content refreshed and updated, as well.
Here are some other statistics that support why social media should be a key component for every marketing, promotional and advertising strategy:
- 78 percent of small businesses attract new customers using social media strategies. (Source: Relevanza, 2015)
- 71 percent of social media users are more likely to purchase from brands they follow online. (Souce: Ballihoo, 2015)
- 63 percent of consumers are more likely to purchase products and services from information posted on social media sites. (Source: Ballihoo, 2015)
At Nutis Visual Communications Group, we have seen a definite uptick in consumer engagement, lead generation and inquiries since we implemented our social media initiatives late last year.
For more information about the products and services we offer, visit us at www.nutis.com.