7 Reasons Small Businesses Need Social Media Marketing

Today more than ever, small businesses need social media marketing. Social media is an extremely effective business tool no matter how big or small your company. Because technology and digital connection are so prevalent in today’s marketplace, social media has become an integral part of growing a business. Small businesses, in particular, should start developing their social media presence from the very beginning. The ways in which social media helps grow an audience, attract customers and ultimately push the bottom line are unavailable through any other marketing medium. Here are seven reasons small businesses should invest time and money in building their social presence.

1. Social is Affordable

One of the biggest benefits of using social media to market your small business is that it can cost next to nothing to build some traction for your brand. Getting set up on a wide variety of platforms is completely free, yet creates a cohesive network of connective opportunities. Once you’re set up and have started to build an audience, you can maximize your marketing budget, selling your product or service or gaining exposure for your business for a matter of a few dollars or even pennies.

2. Versatile Branding

Social media is made up of a variety of different platforms that allow you to tell your unique brand story in different ways. For example, if you want to highlight products or show potential customers a taste of the experience you offer Instagram or YouTube may be where you could use a captivating visual strategy. Likewise, if you want to post hybrid updates, combining text and visuals, or just want a quick way to post updates and promotions, then Facebook or Twitter would be a good choice for your small business. Spreading across several different platforms lets you express your key messaging in many different forms and truly speak to your unique brand mission.

3. Social Media Platforms Create New Places for People to Discover You

Whether you decide to use one social media platform or several, you will be creating discovery points for potential customers to find out about your business. The more ways a potential customer can discover you the more likely they will, especially when the platforms differ from each other in terms of content. Extending your reach online drives more potential customers to like your page or follow your account and begin to subscribe to your unique voice.

4. Social Media is Wide-Reaching

In addition to allowing people to discover you in different places across the several platforms, social media also allows you to reach thousands of carefully targeted potential customers. Social allows you to reach the type of people that are would be interested in your company through ads or boosted posts. You can reach across states or even countries to engage with new interested people.

5. Increases Traffic to Your Website

A great thing about using social media for your small business is that it can be directly connected to all parts of your company. As you create content to post, you can show people where they can find out more by providing links to your other social media accounts (if you have multiple) and to your website. Your website forms the center of your online presence and social media effectively works as additional outstretched branches pulling people to where they can learn about your company or even make a purchase.

6. Allows You to Communicate Directly with Customers

Through social media, you can directly interact with customers and potential customers. Building a strong, positive online reputation leads to great relationships and with time constructs a loyal fan and consumer base. You can also use social for customer service, responding to questions and concerns, and managing customer experience with your brand. When you take the extra time to assist your customers they take notice and begin to advocate your brand.

7. Using Social Media Leads to Growth

By creating different discovery points, interacting with your customers, and posting engaging content, you set your company up for success. By consistently leveraging social media, you not only remain relevant for your customers but also find new people who haven’t had the chance to experience your unique vision. Social media allows you to harness your unique personality and brand vision to connect with people who are eager to connect with you, use your product or service and share their experience with friends and family.

The more you use social media for your small business, the more ways you’ll find it to achieve your goals. There’s no way around it: small businesses need social media marketing. If you’re interested in learning more and even building a custom strategy for your small business in your unique industry, contact the social experts at Dapper Goat.