This newfound ability (and new power in the hands of the consumer) blew open the door for businesses and entrepreneurs in several key ways—both positive and negative. And while the dinosaur marketer might have initially preferred to turn a blind eye to this open door, complete avoidance was not such a good idea as we’ll learn below…
How has social media changed the way you do business?
Well, you probably already know the answer to that question. But we’ve come up with five great eye opening in-depth examples of just how much the business world has changed since the evolution of social media.
#1 Targeted Marketing
Never before in history has it ever been easier to reach out and touch someone (not literally), and to get folks engaged. Thanks to targeting marketing, marketers don’t have to waste time (unless they want to, of course) on extensive marketing campaigns blasted to everyone on the planet. Instead, you can literally target and zone in on the precise persons you’d like to convey your message to. Hook, line, and hopefully sinker.
#2 Organic Marketing –Refreshing for Consumers
Most of today’s consumers (probably all) are fed up with banner ads and marketing methods that feel “forced” and fake. Organic marketing methods allow you to naturally advertise without the consumer feeling “advertised to” if you catch the drift here.
The sky is the limit when it comes to organic marketing through creative tweets, fun status updates, click bait photos, trendy polls, sharable videos, and more to encourage conversation, likes, and shares. And, of course, positive brand feedback and/or word of mouth.
#3 Mind Your P’s and Q’s
While there are many positives to social media, number 3 on our list is the most detrimental to a brand’s reputation—minding your P’s and Q’s. One false move, saying the “wrong thing,” or having sensitive information leaked by an angry employee, or maybe even a bad review from an angry consumer could ruin you. Many business owners fear or find that they’re highly intimated by social media.
And rightfully so, there are many sharks out there waiting for you to say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing. But staying on top of your A game should help to allay any fears of backlash resulting from any of the above negative outcomes.
#4 Customer Service in Real-Time!
Gone are the days of calling an 800 number and waiting up to 10 minutes or longer to speak with a customer service representative. Now all consumers have to do is email or click on live chat options to troubleshoot, ask questions, or find simple solutions to problems. Quality customer service in real-time (key word here—quality) can definitely help any business owner stay on top of his or her A game at all times, or to up his or her A game.
#5 The Birth of Content Marketing
The emergence of social media was quickly followed by the birth of content marketing, placing a great deal of power back into the hands of business owners to avoid backlash, get consumers engaged, to educate, and more. Thanks to content marketing and all of its variants, businesses can chat with consumers in real-time, deliver creative brand stories and messages through the written word and through short click bait video clips, and to use that power to spread brand awareness. With so many available content marketing options, business owners can pick a method that they’re more comfortable with or mix it up by using a combination sort of like social media optimization so to speak.
The moral to this story is that social media has not only changed the way people communicate and connect, it has forever changed the way people do business, and the way people conduct business. And as the world continues to evolve, it’s important to make sure that you don’t get too comfy in your “zone,” even if you’re at the top of your A game. By staying on top of social media trends, and minding your P’s and Q’s, you’ll continue to grow, flourish, and evolve with the realm of web chatter, seamlessly going with the flow of things…
Source: http://mashable.com/2016/09/14/5-ways-social-media-changed-business/?utm_cid=hp-h-5