The Top 5 Ways Social Media has Changed Business

The availability of the worldwide web and social media have become so much a part of our daily lives that for some, it’s as much a part of their daily lives as running water and electricity. One just can’t imagine life without Google’s search engines when attempting to spell check, or without logging into Facebook to check out the news feeds for the latest happenings or juicy gossip.It’s hard to believe that it’s been just 14-15 years since the emergence of social media. Many of us can still remember our first social media account with Myspace, which made its debut about a year before Facebook. Back in 2003, Myspace made it possible to connect with people you hadn’t seen since high school (or maybe even elementary), and to make new friends with people from all over the country (and the world).

Myspace’s platform seemed to rule the web’s realm of social media until folks grew bored for one reason or other, and began migrating to Facebook. This was also the time when the world was introduced to the “status update” and the ability to publicly share what’sreally on one’s mind, or what one had for lunch. As we all know, there are many positives and negatives to sharing what’s on one’s mind.

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