Using Social Media as a Business Strategy

Business owners are using Social Media more and more as a strategic tool to scale up their enterprise. There is no denying that the opportunities are infinite when it comes to Social Media strategies for business growth. Careful planning must go into selecting exciting Social Media Optimization (SMO) strategies to best leverage its immense potential.

1. Business owners use social media as a strategic tool.
2. Social media as a business strategy encompasses following key benefits.
3. Branding – word of mouth or viral advertising is undoubtedly the biggest benefit that you can gain by running a social media campaign.
4. Subtle and effective social media strategies prove to be a good alternative to these intrusive mediums.
5. Businesses accomplish global presence as a result of activities on popular social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Blogger, etc, which are available all of the time 
6. Social media platforms are a perfect way to counter negative press and instead build a robust online identity to magnetize your prospective customers
7. Social Media has taken your business to newer heights

Today, organizations can easily approach a larger consumer base by exploiting the rich features of social media websites for their advantage. Social media, as a business strategy, encompasses the following key benefits:

Inexpensive Medium – In this day and age of stiff competition, there is a serious need to cut down business costs wherever possible. The fact that most of the social media campaigns are run without cost to create online accounts makes social media optimization (SMO) an inexpensive medium of brand building, marketing and selling.

Branding – Word-of-mouth or viral advertising is undoubtedly the biggest benefit that you can gain from running a social media campaign.

Marketing – The “In Your Face” marketing style is no longer used so much. Customers of today want to be in control of their buying decision and will be reluctant participants in interruptive marketing techniques such as Email blasting, text messaging and phone calls. Subtle and effective social media strategies often prove to be a good alternate to these intrusive mediums.

Sales – Social media websites are continuously pushing conservative sales managers to look beyond the realm of “old school” sales techniques and embrace social media as an effective sales mechanism. Successful SMO activities should engage potential customers in a meaningful dialogue by educating them about the benefits of products/services and not directly push for sales.

Global Reach – The popularity of Internet has transcended the geographic barriers and has penetrated the most remote corners of the globe. Your business gains a global presence as a result of activities on popular social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Blogger, etc.

Constant Availability – Online social media platforms stay active all of the time. No holidays and time zone worries anymore. The impressions that you leave on your social media websites can allure prospective customers any time of the day.

Online Reputation Management (ORM) – Cheesy marketing strategies by competition can ruin the online reputation of any business. Your competitor can leave negative feedback about your products/services on any online website and discourage potential customers from making that connection with your company. Social media platforms are a perfect way to counter such negative press and instead build a robust online identity to magnetize your prospective customers.

Customer Connect – Engagement is again a very positive quality that can come out of your social media strategies. Customers can be engaged on a wide variety of levels, such as making new product announcements, running promotional campaigns, taking feedback on product enhancements, etc.

Talent Acquisition – A tool like LinkedIn is effectively being used today by Human Resource professionals as a staffing medium. Your business can save a lot of money by investing in this new-age recruitment medium that is extremely cost-effective.

ROI Measurement – Last but not least, tools such as Google Analytics can provide valuable insights into the progress you have made in your social media initiatives. You can measure your Return on Investment (ROI) instantly and make appropriate changes in strategies as and when required.

The fact that most of the social media campaigns are run at no cost to create online accounts makes SMO an inexpensive medium of brand building, marketing and selling. – Sales – Social media websites are continuously pushing conservative sales managers to look beyond the realm of “old school” sales techniques and embrace social media as an effective sales mechanism.

Conclusion

Social media objectives must be clearly defined at the outset. Having ready answers for what you want to achieve from your SMO initiatives will go a long way in formulating the right strategies and achieving the desired results. Try out these endless possibilities that Social Media has to offer and take your business to new heights. Go for it.