In the contemporary business landscape, having a social media presence is not merely an option. It’s a non-negotiable factor.
We’ll talk about the benefits of social media marketing later. For now, let’s establish the fact that the majority of your target audience has a social media account, whether its on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or even more obsolete platforms like Snapchat and Reddit.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- 84.7% of Singapore’s population actively engages in social media – Statista
- 71% of social media users are more likely to purchase based on social media referrals – LuthResearch
- 90% of Instagram members follow a business or official brand account – HootSuite
- 70% of adults said they trusted recommendations online from friends and family, but only 15% said they would trust a companies’ official social media posts – PostBeyond
But the social media game isn’t just going where the people is.
It’s about its innate ability and versatility of being incorporated in any stage of the conversion funnel: awareness, consideration, conversion, and loyalty.
if you’re still not convinced, here are seven ways that social media elevates your business in the market.
1. Brand Awareness
Reach out to millions of customers online for free on social media.
The first step in any successful marketing strategy is creating brand awareness. Social media serves as a dynamic platform to introduce your brand to a vast audience, whether through organic content — leveraging on TikTok’s high organic reach — or through a paid ads campaign.
2. Build Trust Organically
There are just way too many advertisements.
According to Forbes, 80% of consumers find ads annoying and 96% of people don’t believe that ads are truthful. But enough about numbers. Think about the last time you reacted when an advertisement popped up on your phone.
In a world where trust is a currency, social media provides a stage for authenticity. Not only does having an online presence showcase accountability, but having a careful curation of content allows you to develop a genuine relationship with your audience as they learn more about your business.
3. Lead Nurturing with User-Generated Content (UGC)
Social media is a nurturing ground for leads as you provide more information about your products and brand values.
But, as the digital realm evolves, lead nurturing has taken on a different approach. Based on a recent study, only 15% of their respondents would trust a companies’ social media posts, while 70% leaned more towards recommendations online from friends and family. On top of sharing information and testimonials, there is a need for more “genuine” content created by the masses, also known as user-generated content (UGC).
UGC allows your customers to get a real glimpse of how the product works, and how they can incorporate in their lifestyle. This firsthand experience provides valuable points of consideration, empowering them with insights before making a purchase from your brand.
4. Lead Generation
And of course, every brand’s favourite marketing keyword: lead generation.
Social media marketing serves as a powerful catalyst in lead generation, revolutionising the way your business can connect with potential customers. The list of strategic tactics includes, but are not limited to: target advertising, compelling organic content, lead magnets and offers, direct messaging, contests and giveaways.
5.Social Listening
Understanding your audience is key to success. Having various social media platforms allow you to tune into the conversations surrounding your brand, industry, and competitors, providing valuable insights to shape your next marketing strategy.
6. Analytics for Continuous Improvement
Analytics tools allow you to gauge the effectiveness of your efforts, providing actionable insights to enhance future campaigns.
For instance: If your reach is low, you’re not posting relevant content. If you’re engagement is low, your content might lack insight. If your conversion is low, you might have to redesign your landing page.
It’s important that you make sense of all these free analytics to improve your marketing campaigns.
7. Building a Community
A brand without a community is a ship without a crew.
Social media enables you to build and nurture a dedicated community around your brand, fostering brand loyalty and advocacy. Of course, there’s the added bonus of being able to easily disseminate information, whether it’s a new promotion or changes to your business.
In conclusion, social media marketing isn’t just a digital trend. It’s an integral component that can define the success trajectory of your business.
AFTER ALL THAT, ARE YOU STILL