Ignoring Social Media Charleston is like ignoring your customers
That may sound a little harsh. Allow me to explain. Social Media is growing exponentially. It is becoming a massive source for leads and customers?
I know. You’re saying I don’t have time to be involved with social media…tweeting, blogging, sharing, etc… I have a business to run.
Some businesses tell me there’s no ROI (Return on Investment).
You’re right, it is difficult to calculate ROI on social media. For a minute, let’s just forget the ROI factor and look at social media in a different light…as a form of communication. Would you not answer or return phone calls from customers? No.
Social media is just another form of communication. One, that many customers and potential prospects have embraced as their means of communication. Suffice to say, when you don’t listen and don’t respond you risk loosing those customers. Essentially, they perceive you don’t care.
Enter Social Media Optimization
Social Media Optimization is the process of generating publicity through various social media networks and platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. Social Media Optimization increases awareness about a business, brand, product or service. It’s also designed to amplify the engagement with your target audience. Thus, generating more leads, prospects and customers.
Why Employ Social Media Optimization?
Social Media is a fast growing space in online marketing as more and more people connect with each other, communicate and share thoughts and feelings about businesses, brands, products and services through status messages, likes, tweets, links, photos and videos. Social Media Optimization helps promote brand awareness, influence buying behavior, buying decisions and promotes customer loyalty.
Social Search is on the Rise for Local Business Searches
In a 2012 study conducted by ComScore, a global leader in measuring the digital world, usage of non-search such as social and daily deals for finding local businesses has increased nearly 300% since 2008. Social network local businesses search users are still heavily engaged with social local content through usage of consumer reviews both contributing and using the consumer generated content.
- 70% read others’ experiences
- 65% learn more about businesses, brands, products and services
- 53% compliment brands
- 50% express concerns about brands, products & services
This makes social media an ideal venue to build brands, customer loyalty and word-of-mouth or viral promotion.
Here are some famous brands who are successfully employing Social Media Optimization:
- Coca-Cola
- Victoria’s Secret
- McDonald’s
- Walt Disney
- And thousands upon thousands of small and local businesses and professionals.
The Future
Social Media usage is fast growing and will pervade across industries, marketing and sales funnels, the buying cycle and customer life cycle, for many years to come.
- Facebook has more than 1 billion monthly active users
- LinkedIn has 87 million users in 200 countries. They sign up 2 new members every 2 seconds
- Twitter has more than 200 million monthly active users
Do not expect Instant Results
Social Media Optimization is a task-extensive online marketing effort requiring expertise and manpower. It is a rather long-term effort and requires everyday tasks to reach a critical mass of fans, followers, and connections to achieve high-growth momentum. Results elevate cumulatively as your content and connections build over time.
Given the facts, the best time to get started with Social Media Optimization or to bring it to a higher level for your business is right now. Catch up with your competition, or keep them at bay and expand your business to new horizons.
We’re here to help you make that happen when you’re ready.