Social Media Online Marketing

People in the U.S. check their social media accounts at a staggering number of 17 times per day. This translates to at least once every waking hour. But the United States is not alone in their social media obsession. The same study also found that smartphone users from Thailand, Malaysia, Qatar, Mexico, Argentina, and South Africa are doing the same. Launching their social apps at the average of 40 times per day!

Social Media as Your Online Marketing Tool

With social media getting that much traffic on a daily basis, many businesses have jumped on the social media train. Doing so by starting to market their products/services through various social media channels. But how exactly does social media marketing work? And is it any good especially for small businesses? As a Houston web design and online marketing company for local business, our clients are often perplexed. And many times skeptical about social media marketing. After all, it sounds like a marketing strategy for the “big guys.”

We are here to tell you that it’s not. Social media online marketing is for everyone. Marketing itself is not at all that complicated, or expensive! In fact, one cool thing about working with a digital marketing agency is that you could customize your execution strategies to fit your schedule and budget.

Here are 3 reasons why every small business should invest in social media online marketing:

Increase Brand Recognition

One of the main reasons small businesses choose to go viral is to promote their brand visibility. Because as a small business, it’s difficult to make a name for yourself. Even if you have a nice website and blog regularly, the likelihood of you being “found” directly by search engines is not great.

Social media is a great way to get your brand name out and into people’s conversations. In their sixth annual 2014 Social Media Industry Report, Social Media Examiner found that “92% of all marketers indicated that their social media efforts have generated more exposure for their businesses,” while 80% said that social media marketing helped them to increase inbound traffic.

People like to get on social media to read about the latest news and share their thoughts. Small businesses can take advantage of the social media conversations. Because sharing a newly written blog post, a trendy industry-related article, and even the business’s latest offers or accomplishments.

While not everyone will engage with your post, you are indirectly marketing your brand and making a statement. In other words, you are exposing your brand to the world. Sooner or later, a small part of it will begin to notice and appreciate you.

Improve Brand Loyalty and Authority

You may have people visiting you or maybe buying from you. However, will these customers come back again?

Brand loyalty addresses your customers’ commitment to your business. According to Investopedia, “Brand loyalty is a result of consumer behavior”. It happens when your consumers believe in your products/services enough to make repeat purchases over time. Regardless of convenience or price. Reaching that level of trust between you and your consumers takes work. Because being “social” on social media is one way to connect to your target market.

A report generated by Texas Tech University’s College of Media & Communication has found brands that chooses to engage in social media seems to enjoy higher loyalty from their customers. According to the report, social media gives businesses the access to be involved in their customers’ lives, interests and conversations. “Whether it is a customer reaching out to a company or a company sharing information with its followers. Constant communication is ideal for encouraging customers to remain brand loyal.”

Consequently, businesses that regularly interact with their customers, share newsworthy stories, and publish quality, original content on social media are likely to be valued. As words about your “good faith” spreads out on social media, you will undoubtedly receive more attention from potential clients.

Drive up Inbound Traffic, Conversion Rates

“The more people that are talking about you on social media, the more valuable and authoritative your brand will seem to new users,” wrote Jayson DeMers, marketing graduate and columnist for Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Watch, and Huffington Post. DeMers believe that social media is the bridge between you and your market. It is because social media allows you to diversify your messages. Because you can tailor them to your audience without the obnoxious salesperson attitude.

In fact, research has confirmed that social media marketing is a great online marketing strategy. According to another Forbes article, businesses need to get social fast. Because customers are spending more and more time on social media. One of the most compelling findings shared in the article is that “78% of small businesses now get at least a quarter of their new customers via social media.”

The best news? Small businesses can do so without it costing them an dime! As HubSpots reports, small businesses only need to commit six hours a week on social media to begin reaping its manifold benefits. When you compare six hours per week to the number of content marketing hours you spend on a single day, you will realize that the benefit far outweighs the price.

Ready to Go Social?

Social media marketing is a very budget and time friendly strategy that will promote your brand visibility, reputation, and authority without taking a toll on your budget. Contact ProEngage today at (832) 857-0065 to find out the potentials of social media online marketing for your small business.