Social Media Marketing for Businesses: Is It Actually Important?

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You’ve probably noticed by now that social media has taken over the internet. Many businesses have chosen to build a social media presence as a way to stay up-to-date with customers. But is social media marketing for businesses actually important, or is it just another way to waste precious time? Let’s find out!

What is social media marketing?

Social media marketing is using social media to make a connection with customers.

Social media marketing for businesses is often used to share a company’s products or services, but there’s much more to it than that! These platforms can be used to drive traffic to your website, showcase new products or services, connect with existing customers, and bring in new ones. It’s also a great way to regularly remind your audience about your company and what you offer.

Why is social media marketing for businesses important?

Most people spend hours each day scrolling through social media platforms, and cutting edge businesses know this. If you want to have a competitive advantage in your field, your company should be on social media.

Below, we talk about the specific benefits of social media marketing for businesses.

Benefits of social media marketing:

There are so many important benefits of social media marketing that it’s hard to narrow them down, but here are the top three:

1. Reaching customers where they already are

One of the biggest benefits of social media marketing for businesses is that you are reaching customers on a platform they’re already using. The average American spends almost three hours on social media every day. That’s a lot more time than people spend looking at marketing emails or reading blog posts!

Using social media to connect and be “social” with customers is effective because that’s where your customers already are. Unlike with a blog post or podcast episode, you don’t have to convince customers to use social media platforms. They’re already spending time there every day, and all you have to do is join them and start connecting!

2. Free exposure and referrals

When your business posts on social media, customers can share that post. When your post is shared, it reaches many more people than the post could have by itself. Each time a post is liked, commented on, or shared, your business is getting exposure that it wouldn’t have otherwise.

People are more likely to consider a product or service that was recommended to them by someone they know. Suppose a customer has a positive experience with one of your products or services. They hop on social media to review and recommend your business to their friends and followers. Just like that, hundreds of people now have a positive recommendation for your company through word of mouth!

Of course, the more followers your business has on social media, the more effective this will be. Need help bringing in more followers? Check out our 5 Ways to Grow Your Social Media Following!

3. Drives traffic to your website

Social media marketing is one of the best ways to drive people to your website. Whether it’s existing customers or future customers, the more people who visit your website, the more business you’ll receive.

When you share on social media about an exciting new product or service, include a link to it. People who see the post now have a reason to head to your website and check it out.

Even sharing free resources like a helpful new blog post is a great way to bring people to your website. Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity to bring people into your business!

Choosing a platform

After learning about the importance of social media marketing for businesses, you’ll probably want to get started! But how do you choose a platform?

The key is to be on the platforms that will give you a competitive advantage. You might not need to be on all or even most social media platforms to succeed. The right platforms for you will depend on what kind of business you have.

There are three basic types of social media platforms:

Professional networks like LinkedIn and Indeed
Social networks like Facebook and Instagram
Content networks like YouTube

Aim to be strategic with how you use different platforms. Consider the content you’re going to post, and what format that content would do best in.

Are you showcasing a new product? A YouTube video might be the best way to show the product and explain its features.

Are you posting something educational about a new development in your field? Maybe a blog post would be the easiest way to get the message across.

Are you sharing a short, funny idea? Twitter!

It’s not necessary to be on every social media platform, either. If you’re starting out on social media for the first time, it’s best to just pick a few platforms to work on. Your goal should be to make valuable posts on a regular schedule, which can be hard to do on multiple platforms!

Start with one or two platforms that you think will be the best places for your business. You can think about your target audience when choosing the platforms, and where your competitors are having success.

Whatever platforms you choose to engage with customers on, the only way to be truly successful with social media is consistency.

Don’t make it a goal to have a post go viral. Even massive exposure like that is short-lived, and will be forgotten by consumers quickly. Make it a goal to post content on a regular schedule and keep up with your customers. That’s what will make all the difference for your business in the long run.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about social media, check out our guide on how to keep social media updated when you’re overwhelmed.