What is social media? It a fast and easy way of interacting with customers.
Many businesses and organizations benefit from the web and its powerful communication capabilities. A marketing strategy must include tools like Facebook, Youtube, and other social media platforms. Technology helps companies keep up with new trends to enhance their brand and positioning. Social media accomplishes this by linking you to your customers and improving your communications. Remain relevant by embracing the latest technology and understanding what is social media.
Why Social Media?
Social media helps people interact through sharing information and ideas. This happens in virtual networks and communities. So, what is social media? It helps people interact through sharing information and ideas. This happens in virtual networks and communities. Platforms on both computer and mobile that immediately come to mind:
- Social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram
- Video sites like Youtube, Vimeo, etc.
- Image sites like Flickr
Consumers interact via their smart phones and tablets more and more. Mobile is a vital part of consumerism and is expected to be mobile-friendly.
Social Media Platforms
What’s the difference between social media and traditional marketing? Web technology and communication sets social media apart from what marketing used to be.
Various forms of social media platforms include the following:
a) Internet forums
Forums allow people to converse on topics that interest them by posting messages. There may be a moderator who defines the level of access for each user. Depending on the forum settings, a user may be anonymous or show their identity. Discussions are often lively and sometimes the conversation gets out of hand. The moderator may decide to step in and control the inappropriate behaviors.
Forums may cover personal subjects, e.g. related to family and relationships. They can be business-related or cover any other subject.
Forums are most suitable for technology discussions and group support. Facebook Groups are great for this as are Google Plus Communities.
b) What are social blogs & micro blogging?
A microblog differs from traditional blogs since its content is small and concise.
Short messages, videos, or images shared among users via links. Micro blogs can promote websites, products, and collaborations within companies and beyond.
Micro posts are small content elements such as a short sentence, an image, or a video link. This is the main reason for their popularity.
Like traditional blogging, microbloggers post about about simple topics. An example might be, “Am having a coffee with my friend.” The message can also be thematic, for example, “young mother.”
Microblogging also promotes commercial ventures such as websites, products and services. Collaboration within an organization also lends itself to microblogging.
c) What are social networks?
A social structure made up of individuals or organizations can be a social network. Such platforms enable people with common interests to communicate. Discussions and sharing of information under a common theme are most popular.
Each user has a profile containing personal information and preferences.
Most social networks allow users to interact through email, chat rooms, and instant messaging.
Among the most populare social media sites are:
- Google Plus
- Twitter, Pinterest
- … and more
Social networks play a large role in private lives and business. They have become powerful marketing tools.
d) What are podcasts?
A podcast is a digital audio file that can be downloaded to a computer, a smartphone or a portable player.
While podcasts can be videos, they are usually audio files like music MP3s. Many podcasts are in MP3 format.
It is often available as a series of talks or lectures. These download automatically in installments. Usually the programs sound like talk radio shows. Content covers everything from music to comedy to sports to marketing and science.
What is Social Media for Business
Many businesses have been successful in maximizing sales. This is due to the benefits of social media advertising. These benefits include:
1. What’s strong customer service?
A business can interact with customers on a personal basis and listen. It’s easy for customers to raise questions and a company can answer immediately. Short response times are important for customer satisfaction. A strong online presence enables customers to reach you at any time.
2. What builds your reputation?
Reputation comes from word of mouth. Social media lets people talk about you and your business. This can be a huge boost to your reputation if people like your products and services and say so. An good reputation means more business and a healthy bottom line.
3. What helps glean market research and opinions from customers?
It’s always a good thing to listen to others, whether they are already customers or not. When people criticize your products it enables you to gauge the opinion of the market. The web makes this easy. Social networks allow people to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with various products. You can use such information to improve your products and services. This input may even give you ideas for new innovations.
4. What enhances trust and loyalty?
One-on-one interaction with customers creates strong relationships. The customer feels that the company cares about them and listens to them. Two-way communication over time builds customer trust and maintains loyalty. Your customers will refer friends and relatives to your service, increasing your market share.
5. What is social media and are such ads are effective?
Advertising on Facebook and on other social media channels is highly effective. Your ads can be personal and targeted, and fun. You may ask questions and opinions about your products. Social networks allow you to understand your niche and interact with your audience. This helps you reach targeted potential buyers.
So, what is social media? The best arsenal to help you build a successful business. Google loves it!
Image inspired by Brian Solis