Social media craze has taken over the world. From Facebook to Instagram to Twitter, they are all used by someone every second of the day. Large networks such as ESPN and NBC are all on social media posting updates and sharing stories.

Now if they are on it, why isn’t your business? It’s not too late but it you wait any longer it just may. Here are 4 tips from @B2Community sharing why your small business should invest in social media marketing. 

Diverse Connections 

Social media has a huge diversity of users and that is exactly what companies are looking for. Creating connections with a wide range of people can go a long way. Whether they are interested in your product or service or may know someone who is. Just like when you need a helping hand, one of your first instincts after trying it yourself is to ask a friend for help. Having a deep set of connections established through your social media channels can help cross promote and increase your audience reach.

Finding those connections do not simply happen by following or liking someone’s post. Establishing connections requires work and building a longer lasting relationship that goes beyond a simple like. As a fellow social media marketer, I have met many great people through various channels and provide great value to me. While they are not customers, they have helped me develop with my marketing strategies and overall work.  

Because They Are

Remember when your parents used to say “Don’t do it just because your friends are doing it”? Well, in this case you should do it. According to @mktgtechblog, 8 out of 10 small businesses use social media to grow and 3 of 5 have become actual customers. As companies set up business accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. customers tends to follow or like their pages. As run and update those pages, you are simply building brand awareness around your business and creating a buzz. 

For example, on Facebook if a friend of yours likes the “Nike”, it shows up on your timeline feed that they have just liked the Nike page. That right there is free advertising as it can appear on tens if not hundreds of other feeds from one person simply liking it. As more people continue to like or comment about your business, the chances are rising of gaining new customers. 

Cater To You 

I know many of my family members are on social media and are very active. The great thing about social media is that everyone can use it. According to a social network fact sheet, 89% of 18 to 29 year olds and 82% of 30 to 49 year olds use social media. That is an astonishing amount even with that statistic being a few years old. As you dive deeper into your marketing strategies, establish the various target markets to cater to. Create different campaigns to cater to each generation and figure out what works best for each one. It is also important to keep in mind, which platform will best suit your needs. Take instagram for example that is more visually appealing may not work for a computer software company.

More Advertising

Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have great campaign tools to help run various advertisements and make it very simple. As we have experimented with Facebook ads here at Near Me, we find it is has great opportunity. To be able to increase your reach and get new eyes to your pages for a price point that is reasonable. Many advertising companies may change thousands of dollars to run campaigns for you but with social media, businesses can do it all themselves.

As many startups and small businesses continue to grow, social media can play a big part of it. We live in the age of where everything is on demand on our smartphones and with instant access. Social media has grown to be the hub for the daily source of news, updates, etc. Many businesses have seen the bigger picture on how important social media really is but if you are on the outside looking in, you may not have a view much longer. Get started with social media marketing and do some experimentation if it is the right fit for your business.

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