Social media is vast. It impacts how people live and the kind of product choices consumers make. For both established and emerging businesses, social media is driving daily operations. 

Thanks to advancements in technology, it is estimated that there are over 4.55 billion social users around the world. This equates to roughly 70% of the population. Furthermore, the numbers are expected to grow with an estimated 9 out of 10 internet users embracing social media. 

But even with all the progress, is it still worth it for small businesses to invest in social media marketing? 

For a start, social media platforms are invaluable digital marketing concepts. The platforms offer powerful ways to attract new leads, engage customers, and nurture return buyers.

For the most part, social media enhances the implementation of SMART goals. These are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based plans. SMART goals ensure the achievement of short- and long-term targets in small businesses. 

Here are reasons why you should invest in social media marketing. 

1. Increase Brand Awareness

As mentioned above more than half of the current global population is, one way or another, using social media platforms. And this current figure is still expected to grow as time passes and new innovations are launched.

It is clear that internet users interact heavily on social platforms. And in a world where people rely heavily on genuine brand reviews, awareness can convert these numbers to buyers. 

Social media offers a fast and cost-effective way of building brand awareness for small businesses. By using influencers or creating online communities, you draw attention to your brand. 

How to Do It

Here’s how you do it. First, you introduce the basics of your brand. As you know logo is extremely important for branding for instance let’s take instagram logo. Then, as time goes by, you share more information. This may include what you stand for and even social causes you support. 

The importance of brand awareness is that it attracts followers with similar interests. These followers will eventually be ambassadors for your products. 

But keep in mind that increasing brand awareness takes time. So it’s not just about putting your brand out there. It is also about looking for ways to improve as you grow. 

Think of it as building long-lasting friendships. It’s evident that you mostly talk about names, hobbies, and passion during the first interaction. 

You share more information about politics, business, and sensitive news as you build on the relationship. Of course, most of these topics will elicit positive and negative feedback. But in the long run, it helps the parties identify with each other. 

Building a brand that sells may be more complicated than you thought. That is why most businesses seek the help of digital marketing agencies. Say, for example, you’re doing business in Wisconsin. You can hire a Milwaukee digital marketing agency to help you get started. 

A point to remember is that establishing brand awareness makes you stand out from your competitors. In addition, it opens your digital services to global recognition. What’s more, is that it sets your small business for long-term success. 

2. Cost-Effective Marketing

Most small businesses operate on tight budgets. But, unfortunately, those budgets don’t include a marketing strategy in most instances. 

Luckily, getting a good start on social media does not require capital. Instead, you can begin with free accounts and build up as the business grows.

For instance, a free Facebook account helps you target part of the 2.89 billion users. The platform allows you to create a business page, upload posts, and even create communities. Then, through regular interactions, you quickly build trust and familiarity with your target audience. 

What’s more, you can track the performance of your sites. For example, you can view the engagements, reach, and impressions. This way, it becomes easy to tell what needs to stay or change in your social media marketing campaigns. 

3. Build Brand Loyalty With Social Media Marketing

Social media is excellent for building relationships. It is through these relationships that you gain trust and retain return buyers. 

There are several ways that social media marketing builds loyalty.

Responsiveness 

Social media users often have lots to say about a business. They leave comments or share direct messages on your pages. Typically, customers expect an immediate response to their concerns. When this is done correctly, trust is attained, and loyalty is achieved. 

72% of millennials have confirmed wanting to interact with a brand that responds to them. By being social media responsive, you show commitment to customer satisfaction. Swift responses encourage customers to interact with your brand again.

Sharing User-Generated Content

Real-life experiences hold more relevance than word of mouth. The sharing of images and videos of users trying your products builds trust. Through user-generated products, you deliver actual recommendations for your products.

For instance, LUSH cosmetics use UGC to promote face care products. One of their Instagram campaigns even garnered more than 500,000 hashtags. In addition, the campaign created a brand enthusiasm that attracted more numbers to their pages. 

Sharing Positive Feedback

Positive reviews attract new clients to your business. They also enhance the trust of return buyers. Small companies that share positive feedback build social proof. This stands as a testament to their commitment to delivering the best services. 

Additionally, positive reviews encourage customers to share the good news about your business. It acts as a reference when suggesting your company to others. 

Classic Photography is an excellent example of a brand that builds loyalty by sharing customer reviews.

4. Ability to Build and Nurture Relationships

Social media makes it easy to build and nurture long-term relationships. Through social media, you can personalize your engagements. An excellent way to do this is through specifying responses.

For instance, a business can address users by their first names when sending replies. This way, users feel like they have a close connection with the business. 

Additionally, the ability to offer incentives and rewards attracts and retains users. Social media giveaways encourage return buyers. 

Final Thoughts

Most of the established social media brands started with a goal. They attracted a following that made them household names by creating a good plan. Your small business can also benefit from the ever-growing number of social media users. All you need to do is create a robust social media marketing strategy. A strategy will assist in planning, actualizing, analyzing, and repurposing your marketing goals.