Why is Social Media
Important to a Small Business
The biggest reason is because there are a lot of
markets that are entering the social media medium and making a splash in
there. Obviously, social marketing is
not going to suit every industry, so some need not concern themselves, however
if your competitors are hopping onto social media, then maybe you should
consider it.
According to recent reports, companies worldwide
are planning to develop their social media activities in the coming
months. In Europe, the number of
companies active on social networks should increase from 39% to 66% in 2012,
and it will be more than one use "only" dedicated to marketing, but
various activities will be concerned, such as customer relations and
recruitment.
In a very short time, social media has become
part of everyday Internet users’ experience.
The most popular networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, have
hundreds of millions of users, and even the various small local networks can
look forward to significant growth.
Social networks have not only changed the lives of consumers, but they
have also revolutionized the communication strategies of brands and businesses.
In the
online marketing mix, the social media communication channel is the most
advanced, because it is causing a genuine dialogue with prospects and
customers. The benefits of social media
cover many areas that are not only related to marketing, but also product
launches, events and event sales (Christmas, etc.), offering companies a new
channel of communication that is affordable and fully measurable. Social media marketing is particularly
effective in reaching the target group, and with a positive word of mouth,
information and offers spread quickly and draw attention to the brand and
products. Although the presence on
social networks should have a rather playful and light, we cannot engage in
social media marketing lightly.
As a small business your time on social media is
not going to be free, as most companies will try to tell you. It takes a lot of staff hours to successfully
achieve ANY objective on social media.
Obviously, you should have accounts on each of the social media sites
and add a little every time you have a little free and person time, but if you
are going to dedicate staff hours (work time) to social media then you really,
really need a marketing strategy. Figure
out what you are going to get from it, how you are going to get it and how long
it will take to get it. Overestimate the
staff hours it will take dramatically.
If you do not know what I mean, then log onto the internet onto a social
media and time yourself. You will find
the hours melting away with nothing to show for it. Finally, if the possible gains from your
social marketing plan are not substantially more than the “definite” staff
hours you are going to put into it, then do not do it. Put your time into innovative marketing ideas
elsewhere instead.
