Why has social media become SO valuable (business-wise)?

Social media is no longer a platform for people to upload their vacation pictures or private gatherings. Social media has become a must-have for every business that wants to create an online presence and stay relevant in this competitive market. It is a tool that allows you to get to know your existing customers, engage with your audience, and attract more potential customers. Regardless of the size of your company, social media is a great resource to boost your sales. It is time to stop being merely a viewer and become a participant in social networks.

Some of the most popular platforms are Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and currently TikTok. You have the opportunity to promote your brand in different ways. You can pay for advertisements or you can partner with people to promote your brand. Based on your expectations, budget, and goals you can choose what best fits your business model. 

Social media marketing helps your business in ways you probably have not considered before. Technology platforms have become powerful tools to explore innovative paths to reach your customers' needs. One strategy to fuel your brand is to target customers where they are most likely going to interact with your business. Where are they? They are on their phones ALL the time, whether they are working or just finding ways to be entertained. You need to be where your customers are.

Now, if we deconstruct the concept of social media, instantly it makes sense that the social element is key in the buying process. What does this mean? It means that if someone is considering buying something you are offering, they will be interested in researching not only what makes you stand out but your online reputation and what other people perceive of your business. Customers assume that if you do not have an online presence, you might lack credibility and action capability, and this is exactly what you want to avoid if your objective is to increase your customers.

It is an investment, but it is worth it in the long run and that is why they call it the new referral system. If you do not invest in it, your competitors will and this will most likely hurt your business. Word-of-mouth marketing is a one on one method that is still used, but not as much as before. Now we look for reviews on the company’s website, the comment section on Instagram and the amount of times a link has been shared on Facebook. This is what's relevant today. The same way humans need food, water and oxygen to survive, your business needs marketing to make it successfully. However, the way marketing is done is continuously evolving, therefore whether you find it interesting or not, you must develop flexibility to adapt to new alternatives that might be life-changing, or as I should say, business-changing. 

Now it is in your hands to put in the work and get your business to the next level. I encourage you to start your research, find out which platform attracts your audience, and try to find out what your customers are saying about your brand. It is never too late to start implementing a new approach to your game plan.