Benefits of Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses

Benefits of Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses

Why Social Media Marketing is important for Small Businesses?

The rules of marketing have changed unprecedentedly in the last few years. Conventional approach of pitching sales has taken a back foot, and at present, it is all about connecting and reaching out to masses. And the more the reach, the easier it is for businesses to achieve their goals. And one of the biggest ways of earning the name, and building mass reach for a business is social media. And now, with mobile app development companies building flawless mobile app solutions for businesses, apps like Facebook, Twitter etc. customers can stay in touch with the companies 24×7.

For small businesses, social media has turned the tables for they could not afford the cost of mass promotion or even generic promotion. Free social media platforms have provided small businesses with opportunity to compete with the big players in terms of quality, value proposition and other factors. To give you a closer look at how social media helps in marketing, we have discussed some of the important factors you must know about:

10 Reasons Why Social Media is important for Small Businesses?

Leverage the Present

Grabbing an opportunity sometimes means everything in a business, irrespective of its size. And talking about opportunities, social media is the best way of using current and upcoming opportunities in the best interests of a business. A business, with the help of a social media page, can connect better with the customers by involving in social activities, events etc., and create content related to it. For example – during a flood emergency in Chennai – India, the country’s biggest cab aggregator ‘Ola’ sent out Ola boats to rescue people in distress. Ola covered the activity on Facebook, benefitting a great deal from it. Other than that, businesses can also post about how they contributed towards some common mission/goal/objective established by a group of companies, and how they played an important role in that. In a nutshell, it is all about keeping up with what is around.

Attract Website Traffic

Although Google introduced its page and website ranking protocols years back, the technicalities involved in being found by Google as ‘suitable for users’ is still a tough job to understand. And even for those who understand, keeping up SEO algorithms defined by Google demands way too much effort. With social media, the burden on SEO to drive traffic towards the website can be reduced, because one can simply create a post with the website content linked to it. The good thing is that the way you gain visibility on Google Search and Facebook are way different. So if your page has a huge number of followers, your website content is bound to receive a good amount of traffic through the post.

Customer Loyalty

According to a survey, more than 65% revenue comes from loyal customers, and hence, it is vital to retain customers. The key to retain customers and convert them to loyal customers is customer engagement, which is sort of a step-by-step process. First, use your social media handle to reel in customers with the help of exclusive content. And by exclusive content, we mean unique and catchy content that compels customers to check it out. Also, hire a mobile app development company to build an app for your business to cover maximum number of users. Second, avoid creating dummy content with non-interactive components, and rather focus on building content that engages customers in real-time. Ask them to leave their opinions, suggestions, what your brand lacks at, how they liked your recently launched product or service etc., in the comments sections. This works every time because people like to go for what they believe in or connect with. Using social media channels, like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn etc., you can connect directly with your followers.

Hiring made Easy

If you are a small business, you are probably already looking for an expansion in team size, or simply put, you are open for recruitments. And since you are a small entity yet, you definitely don’t want to spend a lot on recruitment. Well, social media is the solution for you.

Another positive aspect of Facebook is that you totally own your business page and are free to post any sorts of ads, casual posts, or even ads for recruitment. The two most recommended social media tools in this case would be Facebook and LinkedIn. On Facebook, there are numerous communities and groups put together exclusively for job opportunities for aspirants. And thanks to mobile app developers, aspirants can find your ads on-the-go. This is probably the most cost-efficient way of hiring suitable candidates. LinkedIn, on the other hand, has a more streamlined interface for jobs, and the user sometimes has to pay for services on LinkedIn. So, LinkedIn or Facebook? Your call.

Social media has become an integral part of the small business strategy, especially with the kind of new trends coming up. Playing economically is the need of small businesses, and for that purpose, free social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others, are viable options. However, we have seen big social media platforms like Orkut, being vanquished by the existing ones, which brings us to the possibility of history repeating itself. So, if your plan is to focus only on a single social media platform for your digital marketing needs, we would recommend you consider other options as well.

In today’s hyper-connected world, the marketplace is no longer just a physical location; it’s a sprawling, dynamic digital landscape. For small businesses, navigating this landscape can seem daunting. Yet, within this digital expanse lies one of the most powerful and accessible tools for growth, connection, and success: social media.

Gone are the days when a listing in the local directory and a few flyers were enough. Social media has evolved from a platform for personal updates into a vital hub for commerce, community, and communication. For a small business, choosing to ignore social media is akin to setting up a shop on a busy street but keeping the doors locked and the windows shuttered. It’s no longer an optional extra; it’s a fundamental component of a modern marketing strategy. Here’s a detailed exploration of why social media is so critically important for small businesses.

1. Unprecedented Reach and Brand Awareness

The single most significant advantage of social media is its incredible reach. A small local bakery, for instance, was once limited to customers within a few-kilometer radius. Today, with a compelling Instagram or Facebook page, that same bakery can become a recognized brand across the city, state, or even the country.

• Cost-Effective Exposure: Compared to traditional advertising like print, radio, or television, social media marketing is remarkably cost-effective. A well-crafted organic post can reach thousands of people for free. Even paid advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn offers highly targeted options for a fraction of the cost of a newspaper ad, providing a much higher return on investment (ROI).
• Amplifying Your Voice: Every share, like, and comment acts as a digital word-of-mouth recommendation. When a customer shares your post, they are endorsing your brand to their entire network of friends and family. This organic amplification is a powerful force that money can’t always buy.

2. Humanize Your Brand and Build a Loyal Community

People connect with people, not faceless corporations. Small businesses have a unique advantage over large enterprises: they can be more personal and authentic. Social media is the perfect stage to showcase this humanity.

• Tell Your Story: Share the “why” behind your business. Introduce your team, post behind-the-scenes content, and celebrate your milestones. This storytelling fosters a deeper connection and transforms customers into loyal advocates.
• Engage in Two-Way Conversation: Social media is not a monologue; it’s a dialogue. When customers comment or send a message, they are opening a door for conversation. Responding promptly and personally shows that you care, building trust and rapport. This engagement creates a community around your brand, a tribe of followers who feel invested in your success.

3. Drive Traffic and Generate Qualified Leads

Ultimately, a business needs to make sales. Social media is a powerful engine for driving potential customers to your point of sale, whether that’s a physical store or an e-commerce website.

• The Link is Your Lifeline: Every social media profile offers a place to put your website link (e.g., the “link in bio” on Instagram). Consistently directing your followers to this link through compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) in your posts and stories is crucial. You can promote new products, blog posts, special offers, or newsletter sign-ups.
• Targeted Lead Generation: With platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, you can run lead generation ad campaigns that are precisely targeted to your ideal customer. You can target users based on demographics, interests, online behavior, and location, ensuring that your digital marketing budget is spent reaching people who are most likely to be interested in your products or services.

4. Gain Invaluable Customer and Market Insights

Social media is a treasure trove of real-time data. By simply listening to the conversations happening on these platforms, you can gain insights that would have previously required expensive market research.

• Social Listening: What are people saying about your industry? What are their pain points? What do they love or hate about your competitors’ products? Tools for social listening can help you monitor keywords and conversations relevant to your business, giving you direct insight into the mind of your target consumer.
• Direct Feedback: The comments and direct messages you receive are a direct feedback loop. You can learn what customers love about your offerings and what could be improved. You can even run polls and ask questions to actively solicit opinions on new product ideas or service changes.

5. Provide Exceptional Customer Service

In the digital age, customers often turn to social media for support before they pick up the phone or send an email. They expect a quick, helpful response. Handling customer service on social media presents a massive opportunity.

• Speed and Accessibility: Addressing a customer’s query or complaint swiftly on a platform they are already using creates a positive experience.
• Public Problem-Solving: When you resolve an issue publicly (and professionally), it demonstrates to your entire audience that you are a responsive and customer-centric business. This can turn a potential negative situation into a powerful public relations win.

6. Showcase Your Products and Services Creatively

Static product images on a website are one thing, but social media allows for dynamic and creative showcases that bring your offerings to life.

• Visual Storytelling: Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are highly visual. Use high-quality photos, video demonstrations, tutorials, and user-generated content (UGC) to show your products in action. A restaurant can post mouth-watering videos of their chef preparing a dish; a clothing boutique can showcase an outfit in a real-world setting.
• User-Generated Content (UGC): Encourage your customers to post photos with your products and tag your business. Re-sharing this content is not only a great source of free, authentic marketing material but also serves as a powerful social proof that builds credibility.

Getting Started: A Simple Roadmap

The prospect of starting can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

1. Define Your Goals: What do you want to achieve? More website traffic? Higher brand awareness? More footfall in your store? Be specific.
2. Know Your Audience: Where do your ideal customers spend their time online? A B2B consultant will find more value on LinkedIn, while a fashion brand will thrive on Instagram and TikTok.
3. Choose 1-2 Platforms: Don’t try to be everywhere at once. Pick one or two platforms that align with your audience and master them first.
4. Create Value, Then Sell: Follow the 80/20 rule. 80% of your content should be valuable, entertaining, or educational for your audience. Only 20% should be directly promotional.
5. Be Consistent and Patient: Building a social media presence takes time. Consistency is more important than perfection. Show up regularly, engage with your followers, and be patient with the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, social media is far more than a passing trend. It is a fundamental shift in how businesses connect with consumers. For small businesses, it levels the playing field, providing a powerful megaphone to amplify their message, a window to display their unique personality, and a bridge to build lasting customer relationships. The digital conversation is happening right now, with or without you. By embracing social media, small businesses can ensure they are not just a part of that conversation, but are helping to lead it.