Do you have a Facebook? Twitter? Pinterest? Instagram? Or are you at least aware of these mediums? Would it surprise you to know that according to Adweek.com (2014) Twitter has 255 million active users who collectively send 500 million tweets each and every day? What if in addition it was made apparent that there are more than 50 million Facebook Pages and 20 billion photos have been uploaded to Instagram?
Following the introduction of varying methods of communication development, day-to-day life has consequently changed. As a result, the way that businesses decide to operate within this has also changed. Social media has become a method of statement in the 21st century enabling beliefs, ideas and manners to be expressed in a new way. This new opportunity provides us (the digital marketers of the world) to gain an advantage and use this as an opportunity!
Forbes.com (2014) provided the following statistics; 92% of marketers in 2014 claimed that social media marketing was important for their business, with 80% indicating their efforts increased traffic to their websites. Also, 97% of marketers are currently participating in social media demonstrating the figures of how many see this as a detrimental part of marketing functions and reaping the rewards suggesting your social media endeavours could potentially lead to increased traffic (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want that. After all, increased traffic could translate to an increase in sales! – Fingers crossed)
A few points have been outlined below as to the advantages imposed by using social media as a marketing method.
1. Increased brand recognition – increasing validity can be helpful and provides the business with a voice. This will make your business accessible for new customers and more recognizable.
2. Improved brand loyalty – being more recognizable can translate into brand loyalty as consumers can engage with businesses via social media.
3. Opportunities to convert – every post is an opportunity to convert as you allow your business to interact with a wider audience.
4. Higher brand authority – When people compliment/brag they turn to social media therefore meaning more leads & conversions gained from this.
5. Increased inbound traffic – without social media, inbound traffic is only limited to people who know the brand and searching for keywords however ever new social media site means another path leading back to the site. more traffic, more leads, more conversions. (Now, thats what we like to hear!)
An example of a company who utilize social media are Mr.Kipling and their “exceedingly good” cakes (Noticed the reference in the title?). Mr.Kipling pick up on current opportunities and utilize this to their benefit in an attempt to build brand awareness and drive inbound traffic. For example; with the current buzz around the release of 50 Shades of Grey, Kipling released the below picture on their Twitter with the hashtag #BakeAMovie.
Also the brand communicates with customers building a ‘voice’ which is more likely to drive brand loyalty. See below.
As you can see, social media is a topical element of marketing currently and should be utilized even if it’s something as simple as posting regularly and engaging with customers, every little helps! Remember: every post is an opportunity to convert. Marketers should make sure they are implementing this platform into their strategy as there are many benefits!
References
Adweek.com, (2014). Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine, Snapchat – Social Media Stats 2014. [online] Available at: http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/social-media-statistics-2014/499230 [Accessed 16 Feb. 2015].
Forbes, (2014). The Top 10 Benefits Of Social Media Marketing. [online] Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2014/08/11/the-top-10-benefits-of-social-media-marketing/ [Accessed 16 Feb. 2015].