One point that we will add to this conversation is…Social Media must also be right for your business model. You need to understand how it fits with your business, customers, and the ability to build your brand. How does your consumer use social media? How can you influence your customer thru social media? You further need to understand the costs associated with properly running a social media campaign, and understand how you are going to generate an ROI from the investment made. Lastly, you need to determine what the various risks and rewards you can generate from the investment in social media made. Social media is a tremendous marketing tool, but it may not be used the same way for all customers. It also may be used differently , with different expectations, for each companies needs. So be sure you understand how it fits with your business before investing heavily in this marketing effort, or money can be wasted.
Posted by Abhinav Upadhyay on May 7, 2013 at 5:25 AM |
Social media connects everyone to everyone who wants to share everything. On social media everyone wants to share their thoughts, tell you their likes, dislikes and even invite you into their lives. But companies are staying away from these platforms and are missing the opportunity to communicate with their audience and engage them with their brands.
The power of social media is undeniable in today’s world. Consider your social media strategy as a movie, the main protagonists of this movie are ‘FACEBOOK’, “TWITTER’ and ‘YOUTUBE’. These platforms have formed the basis of communicating the way entire community or society functions. These platforms have revolutionised the way we interact with our colleagues, friends and family. As a communication strategy between brands and their audience, social media is of utmost importance. The evidence of social media importance is evident as top brands around the world are adapting this sociological change. The platform of social media ensures that the brand messages are always on the move and brand exposure is created and an influencer sphere is created for the brand by its followers. Social media works like a rolling stone on the slope of a hill covered snow, by the time it reaches the foot of the hill; the stone becomes a snowball. This ensures maximum exposure to the brand.
Why is social media relevant to your business ?
It is relevant because ‘YOU OWN A BRAND’. It doesn’t matter if you are a small business or a huge corporation – you have a brand; and if you want your brand to reach new heights then you can not ignore social media. Brands can use social media in the following ways –
Brands need to communicate at all levels both of physical presence and emotional.
o Social media platforms allow you or your company to do the same.
Social media allows Brands to evolve
o Social media allows brands to first listen and then respond inorder for them to evolve successfully and all social mediums allow brands to gain an up on the minutest of listening.
Brands get advocates to spread the word
o Social media allows the brands to unprecedented volumes of consumers for ‘recommending’, ‘sharing’ etc.
o Remember – You are not selling your business, you are creating relationships through communities. If people feel you are part of their community, they will support you and recommend you to their friends. It is truly word-of-mouth marketing at its best.
Social media allows brands to bridge the perceptual gap between the consumers and the brands
Social media allows brands to be consistent and constant with their message.
Some argue that SEO and PPC are important than social media
Agreed that the implementation of SEO and PPC campaigns play an important role in generating leads but they do not create ‘what is important to the success of any brand’, i.e a brands value perception in the minds of the consumers. Creating a steady flow of information across the relevant channels and making your brand listened to across the correct communication channels, is the difference between Social Media Marketing and the same in generating millions of sales instead of thousands. The impact of social media has changed the way brands communicate and how brands want to be seen and heard over communication channels.
Believe us social media is not ignoring you. Researches have found out that over half the social networkers follow a brand. Moreover, which means that your audience is just waiting for you to reach out to them, and they are all set to promote your brand for you. You might be already using social media but are you valuing your social media strategies as much as you should.
TPG Social Media