Did you know that it’s estimated that there will be around 2.77 billion social media users around the globe in 2019? It’s no wonder that small  businesses are turning to social media to market. Social media marketing is one of the most effective marketing strategies for small businesses.

Using social media marketing strategies for small businesses is a huge opportunity to grow their audience. There are so many benefits to using social media because of how many people can be reached globally. There are also many social media platforms to choose from making it a good idea to choose what’s best for your business.  Keep reading to find out more about the benefits of these marketing methods.

1. More Inbound Traffic

This is a big deal because without marketing your business on social media you’re limited to local customers or referrals. Every social media profile that you make for your business will give a new opportunity for new potential customers to find your business and visit your website.

Every piece of content you post is a new opportunity to acquire a new customer. Social media has people with different needs, interests, and way of thinking. Having your business on different social media platforms will make it possible for these different individuals to find you organically if you fulfill their needs.

It’s important to remember that different age demographics use different keywords or platforms when searching. Someone in an older demographic might search using a particular keyword on Facebook while someone in a younger demographic might search on a different social media platform with a different keyword.

2. Improved Search Engine Rankings (SEO)

Posting on social media will help bring your business website more traffic which is a great way to reach new potential customers. Social media doesn’t directly increase SEO but using it along with your site over time will increase your websites SEO.

Ranking on search engines such as Google is a big deal for any business. When someone is searching for something your business offers being on the first page of the search results will drive more traffic and new sets of people to your site.

3. Increased Brand Awareness

Applying a social media strategy increases brand recognition because you will be engaging with a broad audience of consumers. To get started with building brand awareness create social media profiles for your business on the platforms you will use and begin interacting with others.

Have business partners, sponsors, employees, friends, and family to like your business profiles and share on their personal profiles. Having people interact with your content will increase your brand awareness. It will also build your online reputation.

Every post that is shared will be introduced to a new set of potential customers. With regular content being shared the faster your business has the ability to grow.

4. Cost-Effective

Social media marketing is one of the most cost-effective parts of an advertising strategy. It’s free to sign up and create a profile for almost all social media networks.

There are paid promotions available on the different platforms that you have the option to invest in if you choose. The paid promotions are relatively low cost compared to other marketing tactics.

Cost-effective marketing is rewarding because your business will see a greater return on investment and have the ability to save up for larger future marketing budgets. Should you choose to use paid advertisements on social media start small to test the waters. The more comfortable you become you can increase your budget.

5. Improved Brand Loyalty

One of the main goals of most businesses is to have a loyal customer base that keeps coming back and tells their friends and family about you. Because customer satisfaction and brand loyalty go hand in hand it’s important to regularly engage with customers and develop a bond with your loyal customer base.

Social media isn’t limited to introducing your brand’s products and campaigns. These platforms are seen by your customers as a channel where they can communicate directly with your business. Millennials are known for being the most brand loyal of all customers.

6. Thought Leadership

Posting well-written and insightful content on your social media platforms is a great way to become a leader and an expert in your business field. Becoming a thought leader requires work by utilizing social media platforms to build your presence.

Be communicative, share valuable content, connect with your audience and promote your authority across different platforms. As long as your social media campaign is aligned with other marketing efforts your skills will be noticed and your followers and potential customers will look up to you and trust you.

Social media gives you the ability to directly connect with your customers to create a relationship that will value. This, in turn, will allow you to become an influencer in your field

7. Better Customer Satisfaction

Using your social media platforms to create a voice for your company will humanize your company. Customers appreciate knowing that when they post a comment on your page they will receive a personal response back instead of an automated message.

Acknowledging each comment shows that you care about your visitors and aim to provide them with the best experience. Every interaction with a customer on your social media profiles is an opportunity to publicly demonstrate your compassion for your customers.

8. Higher Conversion Rates

With more traffic and an increase in visibility, your business is able to gain more opportunities for conversion. Every post that you put up has the potential of leading your viewers to your company website with the potential of becoming a paid customer.

Using social media allows your business to give a positive impression. It’s good to keep in mind that people prefer doing business with a person over large companies. The better the impression you give through your profiles the more likely they will think of going to you when they have a need for your product or service.

Get Out There and Be Social

The list above is plenty of proof that having your business on social media is a smart move to grow. Using social media marketing strategies for small businesses will help you build your brand and connect with your customers and potential customers. Putting your brand in a place with billions of users is a smart way to grow.

Looking to have a solid social media marketing plan to be successful? Check out our article outlining the steps you need to take.

Until the next time,