The Garage 299

37 Social Media
It’s fair to say that social media has
become an integral part of all our lives
Stuart Woolley looks at the
way social media can help
grow your business
Social media!!
Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram!
These platforms
were developed
as a way of interacting with
friends, family or social
circle in the comfort of your
home, work, or pretty much
anywhere you can get a Wi-Fi
signal.
It’s fair to say that social
media has become an integral
part of all our lives. But
interestingly, back in 2005,
social media was barely on
the fingertips that we place
on our keyboards today. We
have become fascinated with
global goings-on and with
the fact that we get instant
information in the blink of
an eye with one simple click.
But it is important to understand
the effect it has
had upon us and how we
use platforms to directly involve
ourselves in conversation
and immerse ourselves
in controversy and intrigue.
Today, social media is widely
used by global businesses
to engage with customers
via promotions and demonstrating
what sets them
apart from the competition.
In this segment, we look
at ways social media can
enhance your business and
help you connect with your
customers: Nearly half of the
world’s population are using
social media platforms,
they’re a natural place to
reach new and highly targeted
customers.
The first steps into social
media can feel a little
daunting for any business,
especially if you don’t fully
understand or feel comfortable
with it. Many people
will tell you that you need to
rack up millions of followers
or have a glossy brand push
to really benefit from these
cost-friendly resources. This
is not true. Used correctly,
social media is by far one
of the best ways to connect
with current and potential
customers, so if you do not
have a presence, you are
missing out on the chance
to reach out to an audience
that is ready and willing to
listen.
Social media gives you
the perfect place to increase
brand awareness. Various
market studies have proven
that certain campaigns have
given recognised brands
in excess of a five point lift
in awareness. This doesn’t
have to be just for global
brands. Consider this: 60
percent of Instagram users
say that they discover new
products on that app. That
is awe-inspiring considering
the app is a photographbased
platform.
There is plenty of substance
behind a phrase
“Humanize your brand.”
To connect with customers
and potential customers
you have to show a human
side of your brand, which
translates as “how are you
embracing your brand values?”
How are you looking
out for the best interests for
your customers? Do you put
into practice what you what
you say you do? Social platforms
offer you the ability to
create a human connection.
They allow you to introduce
your followers to your staff
members and demonstrate
how existing customers are
benefiting from your service.
Always make sure you stay
in focus. Most social media
users log into their accounts
at least once a day, with
many more checking multiple
times a day. If you remain
active, keep your posts
entertaining and informative
and your followers will ideally
be glad to view your new
content via their timelines,
keeping you and your business
in the forefront of their
minds.
Another huge benefit to
using social media is that it
can increase traffic to your
website. Content sharing
from a blog or your website
to your social channels
is a brilliant way to attract
customers as soon as you
post. It is also a good idea to
participate in various social
chats that some platforms
offer. Twitter is a great way
to increase your following,
starting interesting and informative
debate. Users are
likely to look at your profile
and website off the back of
this interaction.
Constantly remember, no
matter what you sell or what
service you offer, social media
can help you promote
it. Your social accounts are
a critical part of your sales
funnel and the development
of your business – the process
through which a new
contact becomes a customer.
As the number of user’s increases
and it will continue
to grow at a frantic pace, social
media tools will evolve.
These platforms will become
more and more important
for product search and e-
commerce.
The time has come to
align your social media efforts
through marketing
and sales. Remember, word
of mouth drives purchasing
decisions. When people are
talking about your company
or service on social media,
you are building your brand
and your credibility.
Don’t delay. Explore the
many ways social media can
help you connect, engage
and grow your business.
37 Social Media.indd 1 28/08/2019 14:59