No small business had an easy time starting up. Apart from arduous effort and tight budget, there must be that activity called social media. It’s not something you could purchase or pay people to do. Sure, social media marketing and its management could be implemented by tools and software, or you could hire out an expert to do all the corresponding tasks. The thing is, you first have to know what social media does for a business.
Now, do you understand why you’re prodded to go active on social media? What really is the role of social media when it comes to marketing, customer support and all other aspects of your business? These two questions – and many more – could be answered by reading on. Definitely, you will soon learn the major role of social media in raking profits, earning loyal customers and managing your ads, marketing and sales.
So What Is Social Media?
It is in reference to the means of communication and interaction amongst people using of internet-based technologies, to include mobile platforms. It comes in many forms, but the most popular social media type would be social networking sites such as Facebook, weblogs or blogs, social blogs, microblogs such as Twitter, and content sharing communities like YouTube. For purposes of categorization, there are six different social media types. Adding to the ones mentioned would be virtual games and virtual social worlds, as well as joint endeavors which allow internet users to take part.
The good thing about most of these social media types is that they are now available in one integrated platforms. Thus, sharing of content, communicating and emails can be done in just one platform or social networking site.
What Help Does It Bring To A Small Biz?
Being a complex and yet highly viable investment, any business can gain big with mixing two or more types of social media. In one swift swoop, targets like customer support, branding and building online presence and business marketing can be achieved. But more so, any small biz would benefit from social media because it is the quickest, most effective way of communicating with customers. These days, more than ever, digital communications is something that’s in everyone’s palm. Think of what your business will gain if you’re active in the social media sphere!
Ever noticed how decades ago businesses would spend so much on trying to sell? Well, nowadays, it’s not hardcore selling anymore; not even about heavy ads that costs much or too laborious to plan and carry out. With social media, it’s all about making connections, be it with existing and potential clients, other businesses in the same industry, or the community. It’s all about genuine interaction while being able to subtly highlight marketing efforts. Hence, social media is a more personal, thus human and credible, approach to interacting with customers.
Another great thing about social media is that it doesn’t need big, costly campaigns to reach out. More like, it needs simple, small but powerful acts, such as sharing your thoughts or newest product online. Not only does this happen quickly, there’s that human element that is perceived lacking in many big time advertisements. See, social media makes small businesses and their owners just be themselves – get involved, express moods, reach out, ask for help… just be human!
Best of all, being in the social web makes any business available for everyone. Call it customer support, call it PR management or call it whatever you like. But no other time in the history of small businesses have mails, phones and walk-in queries become so quick and easy to do. All these can be done at one time with a social network site, a blog comment or a shared video!
So, do think about it and get your small biz active in the social media sphere soon!