How Can Social Media Help My Small Business?
Social media has become increasingly more prevalent over the years. More than 69% of adults were reported using at least one social media site in 2018. This is up from 11% in 2006. This increase is quite impressive, and both small and large businesses alike have taken note of it.
Social media can contribute quite a bit to the growth of your business, but how can you reach your customers?
Reaching Your Customers
One fantastic way to reach your target audience is through video. YouTube is a popular social media network. In fact, it is the most-used video platform in America for every age group over 18. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center:
- 94% of 18- to 24-year-olds use YouTube.
- 83% of 25- to 29-year-olds use YouTube.
- 80% of 30- to 49-year-olds use YouTube.
- 56% of those who are 50+ use YouTube.
Here are some helpful articles that go over optimizing your YouTube channel and videos:
If you're not 100% set on video marketing, check out this article about why video marketing is essential for small businesses.
The second most widely used social media network is Facebook, and it is also popular among all age groups.
- 80% of 18- to 49-year-olds use Facebook.
- 55% of those who are 50+ also use Facebook on a regular basis.
Helpful Facebook Articles:
When it comes to photography and videos, both Instagram and Twitter are quite popular among the younger demographics. However, these platforms aren't as widely used by older adults.
- 71% of 18- to 24-year-olds use Instagram.
- 53% of 25- to 29-year-olds use Instagram.
- Just 25% of 30- to 49-year-olds use Instagram.
- Only 16% of those who are 50+ use Instagram regularly.
Twitter follows the same trend, with usage going down as the user's age went up:
- 45% of 19- to 24-year-olds use Twitter.
- 36% of 25- to 29-year-olds use Twitter.
- 24% of 30- to 49-year-olds use Twitter.
- 14% of those who are 50+ use Twitter.
How Social Media Can Help Your Business
Now that you're aware of the usage rates for different age demographics, it's time to learn how exactly social media can help your business!
Brand Awareness
Since at least 69% of adults are on at least one of the above social media platforms, it's a lot easier to get your brand noticed. In fact, 44% of local businesses credit social media for helping them increase their brand awareness, as do 90% of marketers.
You can post about your business and engage with your customers through direct messages, comments, and shares. Save yourself some time by scheduling your Instagram and Facebook posts without 3rd-party applications.
And don't worry, people don't just connect with brands they already know on social media. Did you know that 60% of Instagram users actually discover new products on the platform? You can use social media marketing campaigns to lift your brand awareness.
Helpful Articles:
- Why and How to Run a Facebook Contest
- How to Create Beautiful Facebook Ads with Canva (How to use Canva)
- Create Attention-Grabbing Facebook Ads with Canva (Examples)
Humanize Your Brand
Over half of adults don't trust a brand until they see proof that they are keeping their promises. If you're looking to connect with your audience, you need to show them that your brand has values and a human side. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do your products really work?
- In what ways are you looking out for the interests of your employees and customers?
One of the best benefits of social media platforms is the opportunity to create a human connection with your customers. Some excellent ways to do this include introducing the people who work for your company or showing how existing customers are using your products and benefiting from them.
Helpful Article:
Customer Service
Speaking of making a human connection, social media is an excellent tool for improving your customer service. Twitter and Facebook are platforms that provide a consistent stream of information, meaning businesses can get instant customer feedback and inquiries. Did you know that 59% of Americans think it's easier to get issues resolved through social media customer service?
Make sure when you engage with your customers, you respond in a quick and friendly manner. This will help you build relationships with these people, and it will let other prospects know that your brand cares about its customers and stands behind its products and services.
Increase Website Traffic
If you want to drive more traffic to your website, social media ads and posts are excellent for that. Get more readers when you publish blog posts by sharing the content from your website or blog on your social media channels.
Helpful Article:
You can also join in on social chats to get noticed by new people, increase your visibility, show off your expertise, and drive more traffic to your website. Make sure you're adding value to the chat, rather than coming across as too promotional. Also, ensure you include your website address in all of your social media profiles so people can learn more about you in a simple click. You can also use a pinned post to highlight a landing page on your website that is relevant to the social chat.
Boost Your Sales
Social media is a great way to increase your sales, whether you decide to do traditional posting and engaging or invest in paid advertising. Nearly half of business owners say they depend on social media platforms to help drive revenue. However, in order to really reap the benefits of this, you need to understand what platforms your target audience is using and why.
For example, it might be helpful to know that 41% of women use Pinterest on a regular basis, meaning businesses in certain industries should make posting to this platform a priority, using gender-specific messages.
Another example would be for businesses targeting new college graduates for job-searching products and services. LinkedIn would be an excellent platform for this since nearly half of all college graduates use it for networking.
Takeaway
Social media has become a more and more prominent part of our daily lives over the years. Now, it's easier than ever for businesses to connect with their customers and promote their products and services. Most small businesses are already using at least one social media platform. So, no matter what industry your business is in, it's worth building up your social media profiles.
If you need help with your social media marketing, you can connect with one of our digital marketing experts. We can help you can start using social media networking to grow your business!