Is Social Media Marketing Important?

Some people may wonder, “Why is social media an important tool, and if it can really do anything for my business?” In the past social media was mainly for personal use but throughout the years it has evolved into how most companies communicate with their potential clients. In the past decade with the invention of the smartphones, tablet and other portable devices, social media marketing and online networking have become a part of our daily routine. Therefore, it is a very valuable tool to increase your business exposure all around the world. Studies have shown more than half of adults, ages 25-34, use social media at the office and almost a third of young adults, ages 18-24, use social media in the bathroom. While you’re sitting there pondering if it is the right step for you, take a second and realize that the top companies around the world are making millions just from social marketing alone. You may not have a multi-billion-dollar company yet but even small businesses have jumped on the social media bandwagon and it has helped boost their sales and spread awareness of their brand to all local and international prospective customers.

Lets Look At The Facts.

Some 85 percent of the 7.1 billion people in the world have access to the Internet. In 2012, Facebook reached 1 billion users and by the end of 2013 social media advertising, in the United States alone, stood at $6.2 billion (USD). Advertisers look at social “likes” to enhance brand visibility, while consumers use social media as a way to compare companies and different products easily. Being able to show your customers from the comfort of their home what products or services you may be able to provide for them is the ideal shopping experience for Americans today.

The amount of users on the web today is astounding and the numbers don’t lie.

• Facebook has 1.28 billion users
• YouTube has 540 million users
• Twitter has 255 million users
• LinkedIn has 187 million users
• Google+ has 300 million users active in “The Stream”

With 25 percent of the world’s population using social media and three-quarters of the online population using one or more social networking sites, how can companies not gravitate to the online market? Now, with the growth of Facebook and social media marketing, millions of Facebook users have “friended” a brand on the popular site, leaving most companies spending money on social media advertising due of the quick and large market exposure of their brand to the world.

Is Paid Advertisement On Social Media Sights Worth It?

Many see Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ as free easy access into client’s homes, but what about delving into the world of paid advertisement? I am not talking about spending millions on a high-end commercial production for Super Bowl Sunday, but a simple Pay Per Click (PPC) ad online. Knowing the basics of online advertising could actually open your eyes and show you how social media can quickly spread the word of your business to others.

PPC campaigns are an Internet marketing tool in which advertisers pay a fee each time one of their ads is clicked. As the advertiser you are essentially buying visits to your site, rather than having to “earn” those visits organically. On social media sites, such as Facebook, you are able to narrow down who will be seeing your advertisements to people online who are searching or work in a relative field.

Lets say you own a company who sells wholesale pluming supplies. You can target your PPC advertisements to plumbers, pluming companies, repairmen, etc., as well as narrow down to what locations can see your PPC campaigns. With most people having their businesses on social media or their occupation stated on their own personal Facebook page, your ads would be able to reach the right audience on social websites used by the masses daily.

What Are Some Key Factors Driving Companies to Social Media Marketing?

Most adults, as well as young adults, have smart phones they carry around and use on a daily basis. From the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed, users have social networking sites at just a finger tap away. The number of people accessing the Internet via smartphone has increased by 60% to 818.4 million in the past 2 years. With more people accessing the web though smartphones and mainly using applications, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, having a social media marketing web page would only benefit you and your company.

Some top challenges most businesses have while using social media marketing are:

• Lack of time
• Inability to measure value
• Difficulty integrating social media with other business activities

But these challenges can be overcome, if the social marketing is planned and done strategically by the right team.

Social media is not the only way you can increase revenue for your business. Other marketing and PR plans come into factor too and they are just as important. These marketing tools can help tie it all together; you will be able to reach your intended audience.

• Email Marketing and growing you email contact list
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Online Advertisement (Google Adwords)
• Mobile Marketing
• Sponsorships
• Radio/TV Ads
• Direct Mail
• Event Marketing
• Print Display Ads

Also, having links to your social media pages on the top of your website or at the end of your email signature and even displaying it on your business card can be a very useful way to bring followers and their friends to your businesses web page.

So, What Can Social Media Do For Your Business?

Having social media marketing as a priority for your business is key and will allow your company to grow as well as:

• Easily be found!
• Establish a stronger brand
• Increase revenue
• Share expertise and knowledge with your followers
• Interact with your customers and hear valuable customer feedback
• Free advertisement by word-of-mouth-marketing
• Build a community of followers and fans
• Share company updates and blogs

With all these factors in mind the real question you should be asking yourself at this point is, “Why am I not using social media?” Now its time you start looking to the future of your business and join social media marketing to help your business grow and become more than you could ever imagine.

About The Author

Jason Hawkins / http://www.themiamiseocompany.com

Jason Hawkins is the CEO & Co-Founder of The Miami SEO Company. He has over ten years of experience in search engine optimization, conversion rate optimization and lead generation. His core responsibilities include identifying ways to increase value of services rendered, training staff on advanced SEO topics, and A/B testing internal processes to consistently improve client return on investment.