Is Social Media Our Secret Weapon In Business?

Social media is an internet technology that transforms regular communications into a more interactive dialogue. It allows millions of people to instantly interact with one another even if they are separated by thousands of miles or kilometers. It’s a tool that is used often by individuals and you probably have a social media account yourself – Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare to name a few…

While individuals use social media almost on a daily basis, many businesses still haven’t found its benefits. Social media marketing can help your business grow by allowing you to truly connect with what every business needs – customers!

When it comes to application, social media can be used for a lot of things in business. You can use it to promote who you are, what your business is and what you have to offer in terms of products or services. You can use it to attract new customers and strengthen your relationships with current customers. At the same time you can use it to find out what people think about your business and how it can be improved.

As for the benefits of social media, well where do we start?! For one thing you get free marketing. It’s a place where you can interact with your customers and offer deals or freebies that not only engage them but keeps your loyal customers happy. Customer acquisition is almost a byproduct, simultaneously attracting new clientele who hear about what you have to offer and are influenced by your engagement with current fans. Because social media has such a broad reach, you can touch as many potential customers as you want. Think of this – If you have only 100 raving fans each with 1,000 friends, then your potential reach is up to 10,000 people!

At the same time you can target your marketing to specific demographics or groups of customers using social media. For example, Facebook and Foursquare allow you to target specific groups based on different criteria and locations. This way you can pinpoint your message to these specific people and make it more personal and heartfelt.

You also get a chance to manage your reputation. Reputation management is important for any business and social media gives us a tool to monitor what is being said and even respond to any negative comments about you. Bad reviews will be on social media regardless of whether your business is - this way you have a chance to do something about it before any damage is done.

If you want to use social media marketing for your business you can start by creating an account in any of the social media sites out there like Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare. If you’re just starting out, master one first before you add more. While doing four or five may sound like a good idea you do want to give it some attention so it’s better to focus on one and develop your connections first before expanding.

Be active on a regular basis! Creating a social media account is one thing, but there’s no point having one if you’re not showing up there and taking your interaction with people seriously. Schedule a regular online presence. Take this opportunity to launch your secret weapon - engage your audience in 2 way conversation, show customers that you really care, and watch your business grow.