About 50 percent small businesses rely on social media marketing of which almost 100 percent have a web presence. It’s a no-brainer that the ease of operation, wider and faster reach at almost zero costs make it the best bet today, especially for small enterprises.
But, given the sea of information floating around the web, it is easy to fall into a trap of confusion with what could exactly work. So how to take smarter roads for greater benefits?
Figuring Out The Best Platform
With over two billion active users, Facebook can seem like the primary go-to place for small business owners. It is wise to look into the correct platform. For certain visually-appealing businesses, showcasing products via Instagram or YouTube videos can have an additional impact.
Developing A Niche Consumer Base Or Set Of Followers
A study by ODM Group showed that 74 percent consumers rely on social networks to guide purchase decisions. Having a clear focus on consumer requirement and understanding the bent of mind of the consumers is important. What kind of social media platform is your consumer base likely to follow? How can you address and influence consumer needs in the language that they understand?
Living Up To The Trust Factor
Trust is the single most valuable asset that can build a personal brand online. “It is important to build a personal brand because it’s the only thing you’re going to have. Your reputation online, and in the new business world is pretty much the game, so you’ve got to be a good person. You can’t hide anything, and more importantly, you’ve got to be out there at some level,” says entrepreneur and author Gary Vaynerchuk.
Addressing Skills And Emotional Quotient
The most effective strategy is to build a consumer experience that creates an emotional connection. What do people need that your business can provide is what you need to figure out. Using empathy and compassion to address consumer needs can go a long way.
Simplicity And Consistency Of Content
In a fast-paced world, it is imperative to keep in mind that the content is more focused and the product explained in simplistic and relatable terms. Focusing on proper quality over quantity. The consistency of content generation and crisp and effective content that has the potential to go viral is the key.
Sponsored Ads
At the outset, sponsored ads were not quite effective. Those were mostly ignored and created irritability for social media users. With time, however, sponsored ads gained a lot of popularity with the growing return and satisfaction of small business owners. Social media advertising budgets have doubled worldwide over the past 2 years—going from $16 billion U.S. in 2014 to $31 billion in 2016.
Innovative Strategies
Polls, info-graphics, 2D animations, interactive video clips can build a stronger tie with social media followers that can generate a bigger consumer base.
Online Guidelines
How to measure the value of a like or a retweet on social media? Understanding the social media metrics and their ever-changing dynamics is a must.
Identifying What Not To Do
It is important to be aware and avoid the sure-fire ways to fail. Having multiple accounts, mishandling consumer feedback, delay in responding, squeezing in words to fit are only a few of the mistakes one can make on social media.
Planning And Working Towards A Vision
There could be unending do’s and don’ts which can overwhelm. What best work at the end of the day is a clear focus, consistency and setting smart goals, have a clear long-term vision and the patience to wait until applied strategies work and the wisdom to know when to rework ideas.
