Marketing Tips

Why your small business needs social media

by Elise Nelson

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest. You might personally use these social media platforms every day, but does your business use them? It should! Social media sites are essential for modern businesses to stay engaged with customers and clients. 

Now, we understand that there are quite a few social media sites out there, and some businesses don’t have the manpower to manage accounts with all of them. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to use all of them. Facebook and Instagram are two essentials, but the rest can be chosen based on your business’s targeted demographic. More on that later. For now, let’s talk about why a social media presence is so important. 

Most people consume content on social media
Content consumption comes from a variety of sources — television, print media, videos, and news websites are just a few. And the ways in which people consume content is ever-changing. Right now, social media is the biggest content source. According to Sprout Social stats, more than 3.6 billion people have social media accounts — and that number is on the rise. We’re long past the days of using social media only to keep in touch with loved ones. Social media sites are platforms for information, entertainment, socialization, and change all at the same time. The best way to run a modern business is to keep up with the most popular content sources.
You have another place for people to buy your products
Instagram recently rolled out a new shopping feature where businesses can tag a product in their photos. Interested customers who click on the tag are taken to a product details page and given the option to view the product on the business’s website. Additionally, a new Instagram Shop tab lets people explore products from brands they follow and make purchases directly in the Instagram app. Online shopping has never been easier! Beyond Instagram’s neat feature, there are also more traditional ads that you can purchase for Instagram and Facebook to feature your products via a link to your website.
instagram app
Photo by Lisa from Pexels
Customers can easily share referrals via posts and comments 
Social media platforms are really effective for getting the word out about your business and getting people to talk about it. According to Content Science Review data, “Millennials are more likely to talk about a brand over social media.” If millennials like your products, they’re likely to either review the products on social media sites or to share a post directing users to your business. Social media is a hub for customer referrals, as they can tag your business’s account in their own posts or tag the account in a comment. If a potential customer is looking for recommendations, you want it to be easy for a current customer to point to your business and say, “Hey, the people at this page can help.” 
People love authenticity and behind-the-scenes content
It doesn’t have to be all business, all the time. A social media page is a great place to connect with your clients and customers on a more relatable level by sharing posts that exemplify your company’s values and missions. For example, if your company has a strong emphasis on being eco-friendly, you can share posts about the latest efforts to prevent plastic in the ocean or to reduce your carbon footprint. People love a brand that sticks to its values in every way. You may also wish to share some behind-the-scenes looks at the way your products are made or maybe a fun moment with your employees. Authentic posts help to break up the monotony of straight business posts every single day. 
 

Contact October Dreams Marketing today for a social media strategy tailored to your business.