Social media is the term we use to describe platforms that bring
people together for the exchange of information. The most popular social media platforms
are: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Let's see how social media can be an important tool for building your business:
Transcript of video:
According to a LinkedIn study, 61 percent of small businessesfind social media useful in gaining new customers. In this video, you'll learn how using social media platforms can drive business.One of the most powerful marketing tools a small business can use is social media. Social media is globally-accessible platforms, websites and mobile applications (apps) through which people communicate and share content with one another.
Social media uses tools that allow users to 'share' or send the content they see on a site to their friends and family, often by just clicking a button.
Sharing makes social media the ultimate, many-to-many marketing tool with the ability to spread content at warp speed. Let's look at five ways that social media can be used to drive business.
First, you can use social media to connect with customers and prospects at a global level, with a personal touch. When you connect with customers on social media, you want to create conversations with and between them that make them want to come back - you create fans or followers of your social media site.
To create a conversation, for example, a clothing boutique might start by sharing pics of a new fashion trend on Instagram, and ask followers to post selfies wearing the trend.
Second, you can use social media to build your brand. When you use your social media sites to share content that reflects your businesses' personality, insights, and passions, you give your business a unique voice, distinguishing yourself and your brand, from your competitors.
A local gym, for example, might build their brand by posting motivational quotes or pictures daily on their Twitter feed.
Third, you can use social media todrive traffic to your website . While not all of the content you share on social media will link back to your site, some will. Sharing an interesting blog post or new product announcement can excite your target audience and send them on to your website for more.
For instance, a bath and body shop might announce their new spring scents on their Facebook page and include a promotional code for a discount that customers can use to purchase from their website.
Fourth, you can use social media to establish your expertise. When you share your knowledge and know-how, you can build a following - an audience that comes to see you as a thought leader. As you build your audience, your influence grows.
To establish his expertise as a florist, a designer might post a video on YouTube demonstrating how he makes centrepieces for winter weddings.
Fifth, you can use social media to increase sales. Ultimately, all of these activities - connecting, brand building, driving traffic, establishing expertise -lead to the same place: sales.
The bottom line is that social media for business has the potential to affect your bottom line. Ready, set, get social!
Summary
Social media can be used to:- connect with customers
- build your brand
- drive traffic to your website
- establish your expertise
- increase sales