“In Business? It is Past Time To Get Social.”

The digital world known as social media is a constantly changing and developing realm.

The type of usage varies depending on the individual, but the end goal is forever constant; relaying messaging or content from one party to the next.

Developing a strong social media presence is especially important for businesses these days, as it acts as a medium of communication and brand marketing between your business and your clients. Through the use of different online platforms, you are able to increase your business’ net pull of potential clients and see how you stand in comparison to your leading competitors.

Leading social media platforms in 2018, potential market reach

As they have done since 2012, the Pew Research Center conducted random surveys this year on the amount of social media usage among people across the country. These random surveys garnered data on the percentage of how many Americans are engaging with social media platforms and the sites they are most commonly frequenting. The data listed below shows how many Americans on average identified themselves as using social media and the platforms they used the most:

How are some these different platforms used?

YouTube: Since its inception in 2005, YouTube has been a leading innovator in how visual media content is distributed. This is a great platform for streaming any commercials or brand narrative videos you may produce for your business. Youtube has become a great resource for B2B and B2C marketing. With the paid advertising that is now being used on the platform, individuals are now able to hold 15-30 second time slots on the front end of Youtube videos in order to market their specific agendas and/or services.

Facebook: Initially created as a way to connect family members, classmates, etc., the site has now transformed into one of the leading social media networks of the digital era. Facebook possesses dual-dynamic abilities as far as posting either visual or written content. So whether you want to show a picture of a new product you’d like to offer at your business, or if you want to update customers on an event you may be hosting, they’ve got all your bases covered. Facebook is a great tool for using paid ad marketing to increase visibility with your brand. The more users see listings of your business and the goods/services you offer on their timeline, the more they will be inclined to engage with your business.

Instagram: Instagram has been at the forefront of visual media distribution for quite some time. Originally, personal and business pages only had the ability to share photos using this platform. However, as the platform has developed further, so has the content sharing capabilities of its users. Instagram users are now able to share photos, pre-recorded videos, and video live streams. This is great for business owners who have direct engagement with clients or host client facing events. Also, running visual ad-campaigns can be very effective using this platform and can greatly help with your overall brand marking.

Twitter: The point of emphasis with the use of this social media site is to create an online medium that provides real-time information. In 2018, Twitter is where many users turn for their news updates on topics such as world news, politics, sports, and more. The business community has found a way to utilize this platform to provide instantaneous customer service support and updates pertinent to their business operations. Twitter is a great resource for B2B and B2C companies, as it allows you to get a clear picture of your target audience. By using Twitter’s search engine and looking up your company name you are able to see who is tweeting about your brand or the industry your business is in. Also, by monitoring your competitors’ Twitter accounts you are able to check to see how you compare to others in your industry as far as your social media engagement through Twitter analytics such as follower growth, tweets, etc.

How can the use of social media help my business?

Since the birth of the digital era, business brands have now evolved. Today, “brands” are the service/good exchanges and experiences shared between a core business and its clients, both in a physical and digital sense.

It is important to always be thorough with your work and follow up with clients visiting your pages within a timely manner. Now more than ever people are doing a good bulk of their business digitally. Why would I drive down to an Apple store to get tech support with my latest IPhone, when I could simply get in contact with a mobile tech support representative online via their twitter customer support page? Why would I waste time going down to the local coffee shop in my neighborhood to see what’s the special their “special” of the month, when I could simply check on their Instagram?

Creating social media pages helps cut down transaction costs for your existing and potential clients. They are an extension of any existing website you may already operate, they provide a platform for instant updates on services and product availability, and act as a medium for building a relationship with your core clientele. People want things fast, efficient and easily accessible; Social media provides a way to get this done.

The traditional business model of your parents’ day and age is no more. The “avon lady” is no longer going door to door to sell you makeup, instead she’s running marketing and social media campaigns to persuade new and/or existing clients to purchase products. You can either sit and wonder why John and Molly aren’t just randomly strolling into your business, or you can meet them where they are at, which is on the internet.

Our recent brand narrative work includes Fall campaigns for Barista and Teote. If you are interested in learning more about how we may help build and grow your business, feel free to message me at taylor@crossconsultingservices.com.