The Importance of Social Media for Small Businesses

We live in this era of digital, where everything and anything is universally accessible and marketable. Due to the ever-expanding world of media, traditional strategies no longer hold the same power and vitality as they once did. With this, consumers and producers now turn to the likings of digital marketing, more specifically, the domain of social media.

There are many benefits of integrating social media into one’s marketing strategy, especially that of small businesses. Social media aids in spreading the word of the business’ brand on a more efficient and convenient measure. Also, with these social media platforms being so universally accessible, the likelihood of one’s business reaching optimal outreach is tenfold.

The importance of utilizing social media for small businesses tends to fall into four essential principles:

1. Humanizing the brand 

When it comes to creating a marketable brand via platforms such as Instagram and Twitter, it is vital for small businesses to humanize their platforms. This essentially means to create genuine connections with your customers. When a brand develops its customer service strategy, it is important to display a tone of genuine care and respect, letting customers know that their opinions and feedback is valued. Instagram user, @iconicc.boutique , is a great example of an online business who takes pride in their customer service ability as well as their need to create genuine connections, this is also extensively demonstrated in one of her story highlights, “feedback.”

2. Increasing traffic & sales 

One of the great benefits of using social media for small businesses is the global widespread coverage that accompanies these interactive platforms. Millions of people use social media every day, which is why increasing brand representation on social media platforms is the smartest move one can do for a small business in the digital age. More traffic coming in = the opportunity to reach optimal sales for your brand.

3. Interacting with other small businesses 

Another benefit is the opportunity to interact with other small businesses within the social media world. This interaction aids in developing partnerships, product collaborations as well as the opportunity to outreach the customers/followers from their businesses. Reaching out to other small brands, therefore, helps both parties grow and prosper within these digital spaces.

4. Outreaching new customers 

As discussed earlier, due to the insane amount of people using social media platforms every day, it is incredibly easy to outreach new customers. By incorporating hashtags in posts, running online advertisements, and hiring influential brand ambassadors, reaching new customers is just at your fingertips.

Optimizing outreach, staying relevant as well as interacting with customers and other small businesses are the essentials for staying afloat as a small business in the world of social media. Social media offers the ability to maximize profits and growth as a brand, but most importantly, to create a foundation of genuine humanization with the customers. This is why it is important for small businesses to use social media in their marketing strategies.