Still not sold on social media for business? Convinced it’s just for the other guys and not for you? Well, think again.
The truth is, social media is too great a tool to overlook—and if you want proof, here are five reasons your business needs to rethink its avoidance of sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Contents
1. It’s So Easy.
How many marketing tools are as accessible and user-friendly as social networks? While it’s true that your social marketing needs strategy and planning, it’s also true that putting your ideas into place isn’t hard. After a fast signup and quick profile completion, you’re ready to roll with most networks.
2. It’s Inexpensive.
The biggest social networks are free. It doesn’t cost anything to set up a Facebook fan page or a Twitter profile, so the only costs are the time you invest.
What’s more, if you use in-house staff to run your campaigns, keeping things flowing is incredibly cost-efficient. When you look at social networks as outlets with minimal costs and big exposure, it’s easy to see why using them makes sense.
3. It’s Where Your Customers Are.
Like it or not, your customers are on social networks—at least 79% of US adults are.
So since you know they’re spending time on social media, why not meet them where they are? When you engage with clients on Instagram and Pinterest, you engage them in a natural, seamless way that comes across less salesy and more authentic.
4. It Boosts Search Rankings.
Social media content factors into the way search engines rank content, so when you post on social networks, you contribute to your brand’s search rankings.
In fact, Google has started incorporating Google+ status updates in the equation, which means when you post on Google+, you give your site a nod in search results.
Higher search rankings mean better exposure for your brand and better traffic over time—and that’s the kind of thing that’s hard to argue with.
5. It’s Good PR.
Given that there are entire companies dedicated to improving people’s reputations online, finding ways to boost your image is no small thing.
You can use easy, inexpensive social media activity to put out good press about your company—relevant stories, interesting news, photos, facts, data, etc. Then, those good features can overpower bad press over time.
Your Thoughts
What do you think? Considering all you could gain from social media activity, does it make sense to put it off? Don’t wait to join the ever-expanding social realm. Start boosting your brand online today!
Shanna Mallon is a writer for Straight North, a Web development company with headquarters in Chicago, providing SEO, Web development, and other online marketing services to B2B clients.
Image courtesy of nokhoog_buchachon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
© 2013 – 2015, Priya Florence Shah. All rights reserved.
Priya Florence Shah is a bestselling author, an award-winning online publisher, and an online branding consultant. Download her free personal branding eBooks and check out Devi2Diva, her book on emotional self-care for women. In her spare time, Priya writes science-fiction novels and poetry and chills with her two-legged and four-legged kids.
Hi Priya,
I think that nowadays it is impossible to get good rankings without using social media. Like you said though, it requires a strategy.
I’m still in the process of developing a good strategy…I need one that doesn’t take a lot of time. But your 5 reasons are extremely valid. Anyone who has a website will definitely understand the importance of using social media to promote their business.