Social media marketing is simply the use of various social media platforms and sites to advertise a product or service effectively. Though the terms digital advertising and e-marketing are generally dominant in academic circles, social media marketing has been growing increasingly popular not only for researchers and practitioners but for individuals as well. This article will focus on four main benefits of social media marketing:
Metrics
Social media marketing can be measured using various metrics that can be used for research purposes. The most common metrics used include likes, comments, shares, and retweets among others. This information is crucial in terms of studying audiences and determining which platforms and sites are popular. It is also important to take into consideration the audience's age group, gender, and other factors that influence their online behavior. These factors can be instrumental in determining the success of a campaign. In short, it’s just as you would measure your finances using accounting methods—what is accounting cycle implementation if not a form of metrics?
Target Audience
The very first benefit of social media marketing strategies is that they can be used to target an appropriate target audience. It is important to understand the target audience for different platforms. The common mistake is to choose platforms based solely on the popularity of a brand. Brand recognition can come after other factors such as keyword usage and backlinks are considered. In fact, these measures should be combined with a solid strategy to ensure that the brand is represented to the right audience.
Content
The second major benefit of social media marketing strategies is that it allows for a brand to constantly update its content. This content should always provide consumers with new insights, recommendations, and features that will help them improve their experience with the company. A brand should also create content that is interesting, engaging, and informative for the target audience. This type of content will also allow users to share it with friends, colleagues, and other social media websites. The increased amount of traffic generated by this content will then drive more customers to a company's website.
Persuasion
The third benefit of a good social media marketing strategy is persuasion. The way a brand communicates with its target audience can be very influential. This includes the content that is provided on the platform, recommendations given by followers, and the methods used to reach them. Content is key but in order to get more followers, the tone should be set accordingly. A branded platform will help to persuade its target audience to purchase a product or consider a company more favorably.
Effectiveness
The fourth benefit of a social media marketing strategy is that it provides an opportunity for a brand to test its effectiveness. This can be done before investing in a particular strategy or company. Surveys may be conducted on the platform or recommendations made regarding the performance of the company may be solicited from followers. Knowing what is working and what is not will allow the brand to make the necessary changes when necessary.
Tracking
Being able to track performance on various platforms using social media metrics is important. This data is vital in determining where changes need to be made. It also allows a brand to understand what audience is engaging with the company and which ones are not.
Hubspot is one of the leading businesses that use social media marketing strategies. They believe that through effective communication a company will be able to increase sales and brand awareness. By conducting surveys and surveying their audience, they have been able to measure performance and understand which strategies are working and which need to be adjusted. The information gathered from these tools has helped the company to improve various aspects of its business. This article only scratches the surface of the different advantages offered by this helpful platform.