Has Social Media Changed Businesses Forever?

In the beginning, social media sites were designed for people to connect to each other. It has since transformed into a goldmine for businesses to connect to their customers. However, before taking a step further it is important for businesses to understand how social media can help your brand.

Social media is still in its infancy. We are in the second stage of widespread global use. Facebook was launched in 2004, Twitter in 2006 and Instagram in 2010, and Snapchat and Pinterest in 2011 and Periscope in 2015. It seems like social media has been around forever, but in reality it has become a central focus around the globe just in the last decade. However, this decade has seen social media management make its mark in the world, and the world has changed with it.

Social media is used by businesses on a regular basis, but how each business uses social media differs one from the other. Some brands generate large returns through social media, while other brands are still testing the water. They haven’t even got onto the social network, and are lagging behind. From a marketing perspective, social media is all about targeting. A social media agency has the power to create marketing and advertising material to be presented to the exact customers you want. This has opened doors for different industries to reach customers in ways they never thought possible.

While internet advertising is not brand new, some methods feel unreal. Yes, PPC ads and Google AdWords work to benefit companies; however, organic marketing is still one of the best ways to bring customers to the fold. It has a natural and unforced feeling about it. Businesses can post valuable content and engage in conversations with your followers without forcing their hands. You can make it seem like a natural transformation from follower to customer.

Businesses can provide real-time customer support. Many businesses make customer support a central element in their marketing strategy. It doesn’t get better than ensuring customer service is offered in real-time. This makes it easier for customers to trust you, and the brand gains recognition and credibility.

A social media agency can keep customers engaged by frequently interacting with them. Remember, you cannot expect customers to keep the communication going if you are not going to respond on your side. Customers nowadays expect frequent and immediate responses, and if they don’t get it, they will move on most likely to your competitor. Social media has made it easy for customers to connect to businesses, and this connection is what turns them into your loyal base.