10 reasons your business should be on social media

Perhaps you think that, with so many businesses already out there, there’s not much point and that you’ll never get the traction you dream of.

Or maybe you have your social media accounts set up but aren’t seeing results and are wondering if it’s worth carrying on.

The hard truth is, social media isn’t a quick win for your marketing. Social media takes time, consistency and a clear strategy. And once you have that in place, the potential for growth is limitless.

Before we get stuck into the details, there’s one important thing to remember. Don’t get sucked into believing you need to be on all the platforms all the time and that you must have thousands of followers to be successful. You need to focus your attention on building your perfect audience on the best social media platforms for you and your business.

In this article, I am sharing with you 10 reasons your business should be on social media.

If, by the end, you’d like help getting started – or ramping up – your social, let me know.

Social media boosts your credibility

These days, your potential customers expect you to have a social media presence. What’s more, if you don’t have one it can raise serious red flags in a potential customer’s mind.

If you’re not on social media or have inactive accounts, the thing they’re most likely to question is whether your business is still operating. Which means you might not even get an opportunity to show them how great you are.

In contrast, active social media accounts send out a positive message about your business. They show that you’re open for business, that you’re in touch with your customers and that you have lots to shout about.

Social media increases brand awareness

This point is particularly important for B2C businesses although it is still relevant for B2B businesses. If customers can’t find you on social media they can’t connect with you or buy from you.

When approached strategically, social offers endless opportunities to grow your reach and connect with new audiences.

Having an active social media presence builds your brand awareness and keeps you at the forefront of your customers – and potential customers’ – minds. Given that we, collectively, have an ever-decreasing attention span, social media helps you to be in the front of a new customer’s mind at the time they are ready to buy your product or service.

Social media builds know, like and trust

Whichever social media platform you choose – Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube or Twitter – your social platforms allow your customers to get to know you, relate to you and understand your brand values.

For example:

• Sharing pictures of you and your team builds familiarity = Know.
• Serving your audience with valuable content that solves your followers’ problems = Like
• Being honest and consistent with your messaging = Trust

And when people know, like and trust you they are more likely to consider choosing you when they want to make a purchase.

Remember, whether you consider yourself a B2B or B2C business you are always H2H!

Social media increases leads and sales

Did you know that 60% of Instagram users discover new products while browsing on the app?

If that’s not a reason to get involved I don’t know what is.

But that’s not all, the ever-changing social landscape means new audiences and opportunities are opening up all the time. In fact, the pandemic has changed our online habits beyond recognition with people who haven’t previously engaged much online, now being regular visitors to websites and social media platforms.

According to the Hootsuite Social Trends report, 70% of internet users aged between 55-64 (a group traditionally targeted by TV advertising) bought something online during October 2020. Of those 37% said they planned to continue doing so more frequently.

Social media drives traffic to your website

Social media offers lots of great ways to drive traffic to your website including:

✔️ Clickable links in your bio

✔️ Post links to blogs and product pages

✔️ Paid advertising

Your competitors are on social media

You really can’t ignore this point. Your competitors are using social media in their marketing strategy and if you’re not, you’re missing out.

Your social media platforms are the perfect place to show off your business’ personality and let people see what sets you apart from all the others.

Don’t give your competitors the upper hand because you don’t know where to start.

Social media builds community

One of the most exciting things about social media is that it allows you to build a community of like-minded people, anywhere in the world.

When you use clear and consistent messaging about your brand you’ll attract new customers who will be happy to share your story with their own networks.

And by engaging with those followers you gain invaluable insights into the products and services they want and need, allowing you to give them – and others like them – even more!

Social media positions you as a thought leader

When you consistently share valuable, well-planned content, social media enables you to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field positioning you as the ‘go-to’ person in your industry.

Here are some ways to do that:

✔️ Sharing ‘How-to’ videos

✔️ Facebook and Instagram Lives

✔️ Tips, tricks and hack posts

✔️ Behind the scenes photos and videos

✔️ Share your opinions on industry news

✔️ Engage with other industry figures

✔️ Add value by offering help and advice in groups (without selling your products or services)

You have access to social ads

Social media advertising is often a cost-effective use of your marketing budget. However, it is most effective when you also have a strong organic social media presence.

Social media advertising offers incredibly powerful targeting opportunities allowing you to reach your ideal audience easily. But, having active and engaged accounts is crucial to their success.

Paid social media isn’t a stand-alone marketing option and should be delivered by an experienced expert who understands the complexities of the advertising platforms. In order to make it a success, you need to have all your marketing ducks in a row.

Share your success stories on social media

Everyone loves a good news story and social media is a fantastic place to shout about your successes or share your customers’ stories.

Sharing reviews, testimonials and video interviews of happy clients is known as ‘social proofing’ and helps to reassure others you can help solve their problems too.

Find out more about using social media for your business

If you’d like help setting up and running your channels or you’d just like support around what to post and how to create a strategy the team at Freedom-CS can help. Choose from a Social Media Audit of your current platforms or a Social Media Power Hour, for just £99 (+ VAT), and get started on making your business visible on social media. Click here to get in touch.

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