As the world becomes more digital, it’s even more vital for small businesses to invest in a social media presence. Not everyone is ready to visit businesses in-person yet or wander into a store out of curiosity given the current health situation. However, businesses are more likely to be discovered online if they’re working to be present on platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Is social media worth your time as a business owner? If you’re reading this blog post, there’s a good chance you’re on the fence about investing in a social presence. Here are several benefits to help you better understand what you’re missing out on:
The benefits of social media marketing for small businesses
Give potential customers a chance to window shop: Just as a potential customer would peruse a shop back in the day, social media gives interested individuals a chance to check out what you have to offer without buying anything. You can do everything from posting new products to sharing behind-the-scenes on apps like Instagram to attract your ideal audience. People can see what you’re up to on a consistent basis then make a purchase when they're ready. They won’t feel like they’re being sold and will tend to be more loyal.
Engage with customers quickly: With tools like Facebook Messenger, you can easily respond to customers who have questions and need answers right away. You can also respond to comments to show that you’re listening to what your customers have to say. It’s all in an effort to be social on social media. Showing that you’re willing to listen and converse with your target audience helps you increase brand loyalty.
Increase web traffic: Not all of your web traffic will come from search engines like Google. Social networks like Pinterest will help you increase your organic traffic with people who are interested in your brand and what you’re offering. By being present on various platforms, you’re giving yourself more opportunities to be discovered and increase total revenue.
Keep your target audience coming back: With a regular presence, you’ll give people a reason to keep engaging with your social media accounts. A consistent posting schedule helps people know that you’re here to stay. It also helps them know that you are open for business and are ready to help them solve the problems you’re best solving.
What can you do to get started?
Here are a few things to do if you don’t already have a social media presence:
Set up social media accounts on platforms your target audience is active on. If they’re active on Facebook, set up a Facebook account. If your ideal customer uses Twitter, create a Twitter account.
Create content and schedule out your posts. Using scheduling tools like Buffer and Facebook Creator Studio will help you maintain a regular presence.
Respond to all of the comments and direct messages you receive. It’ll help your customers know that you care.
Following the tips above will help you start to build a strong presence on social media. You’ll begin to receive the benefits that comes from being active on social media as a small business.
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