Businesses of nearly every type, size and niche can benefit from a social media presence. Social media certainly has its negatives yet the positives make it worth the effort, especially from the perspective of a business owner or manager. If your business does not yet have a Facebook, Twitter and Instagram account, it is time to establish a presence on each of these uber-important social media platforms. Let’s take a closer look at why your business should have an extensive social media presence.
Social Media is an Opportunity to Establish Legitimacy
Your business might be the best in your niche yet hardly anyone will know unless you broadcast your company’s merits on social media and beyond. Social media connects you with the masses in a cost-effective, quick and effective manner. Take full advantage of these platforms to show off your knowledge of industries and topics. Continue to share insightful and helpful content with the masses and they will eventually consider your company to be an authority in your space. This is the legitimacy your business needs to acquire new customers and reinforce your company’s merits with current customers.
Social Media is an Opportunity to Make Your Business Relevant
If your business strictly sells to locals, your customer base might eventually stagnate or even shrink. Today’s customers have more shopping options than any other point in history. A business lacking a social media presence will eventually become irrelevant. Social media keeps your business visible and in the thoughts of your target customers. As is often said, what is out of sight is out of mind. Do not lose sight of the fact that customers are overloaded with information on a daily basis. If your business cannot be distinguished from your competitors, it is only a matter of time until you lose your customers to those willing to connect with the masses through social media.
A Social Media Presence Boosts Your Search Engine Optimization Efforts
Search engine optimization, commonly referred to as SEO, will prove much more effective if it is reinforced with social media. Everything from your company’s website to its blog and social media accounts affects SEO. Add links to your company’s website, blog, guest blog posts on other websites and any other online content you have. Prospective customers really will click these links and learn that much more about your business.
It will also help to add keywords and key phrases to your social media posts as well as your other online content. Figure out the most common words and phrases your target demographic is likely to type into a search engine in the context of your business niche. Strategically add those words/phrases to your social media posts and it will be that much easier for interested buyers to find your business on the web.
Be Strategic With Your Social Media and It Will Pay Dividends
Do not be afraid of investing time, money and effort in your new social media accounts. If necessary, assign one of your employees to work part-time on your company’s social media. Post updates on a daily or weekly basis, engage your audience on each social media platforms and your business will gradually gain momentum.
About the Author:
Marla DiCarlo is an accomplished business consultant with more than 28 years of professional accounting experience. As co-owner and CEO of Raincatcher, she helps business owners sell their business so they can get paid the maximum value for their company.