The Importance of Social Media in Business

Why you should be utilizing social media platforms

Get with the Program

It’s almost 2020.  Over the past decade, the social media landscape has changed so drastically in a way that couldn’t have been predicted.  New platforms have developed, exploded (hi Instagram), and completely taken over the way we conduct our lives.  

The fact that we have the ability to connect with literally almost anybody from all over the world at the tip of our fingers gives brands tremendous power.  Knowing how to express your brand’s message on social media is essential to its overall success.

Know your Digital Language

There are several things to consider when building a social media presence for your brand.  What platforms will you use? Will you use some more than others? What aesthetic do you plan to convey on Instagram?  Will you tweet?

Aside from the content you plan to post, engagement is another major aspect that will help define your place in a customer’s mind.  Deciding how interactive you’re going to be with your audience, if at all, shapes your overall brand perception.

Regardless of the type of business you are or the industry you are in, an active presence on social media is crucial.  It’s not just a tool to use if you’re a cool, fun, trendy, Millennial-esque business. Nearly 100% of people have some type of social media account, and they will be looking up your website just as often as they would your Facebook page or Instagram.

Show Some Face

Keeping your social media pages up-to-date with current photos, videos, content, and other information is absolutely imperative.  If you’re not establishing a presence on these platforms, your customer won’t have a good idea of who you are, what you stand for, and what sets you apart from your competitors.  Don’t be afraid to get personal, to an extent. People love authenticity in all its forms, so utilize that in a way that makes sense for your brand.

The biggest trick to remember with social media is consistency.  Everything from the frequency of posting photos, videos, and stories, to your overall aesthetic mood & color scheme is going to portray a sense of professionalism to your audience.  A common mistake that companies sometimes tend to make when it comes to social media is a lack of regularity. For example, a local business might post a lot of content and be super active for a very brief period of time, but then not post again for several months.  While it may create an influx of attention to your brand and corresponding accounts, it doesn’t do anything in regards to retention of followers and establishing a loyal social media following.

Your followers = Your BFFs

The people who follow your brand on social media are incredibly important.  They are your primary and secondary audience in regards to your business, meaning they may be directly interested in you or know someone who is.  Social media is an excellent way to utilize word of mouth. People are on their phones more often than they’d like to admit, and creating content that stands out in their mind will only benefit you and your brand in the long run.

The people and brands that you follow and connect with are also important.  Social media gives you the power to establish an online community. Follow other local businesses who you regularly work with, ones that are related to your industry, and even some favorite customers who are regularly engaging with your posts.