If you run a business, you’ve probably heard of social media marketing but why is it so important? Did you know that more than half of the world’s population is on social media? It should come as no surprise that many of your current and potential customers are on these digital platforms. If you want your business to connect with your customers on a deeper level, it is important to utilise social media marketing as an advertising tool. Here are a few strategies to effectively use these platforms to market your brand to your target audience.
Understand your Audience
The first question that needs to be answered is: Who are you marketing to? Is it Millennials, Generation X, maybe even Baby Boomers? Depending on your intended target, the content and campaign strategies you employ will vary. A deep dive into your chosen demographic will give insight about which platforms would best serve your purpose, as well as the types of content that best appeal to the customer. For example, if your company is marketing to a teenage audience, you would focus less on lengthy informational posts and instead use short-video content or eye-catching graphics to draw in that specific group.
Explore Different Platforms
Not all social media platforms are designed the same; they appeal to a variety of demographics that each
interact with content in different ways. One thing to note about social sites is that they have different rules and regulations for accounts regarding what types of posts they are allowed to make. Word count, video length, and image specifications can also differ depending on your choice of platforms. Once you
fully understand the audience you are trying to target, you can then find the best platform for your business. Those looking for a more business-to-business (B2B) site may want to focus their efforts on apps like LinkedIn, while companies focused on e-commerce may rely more on Pinterest or Instagram for
social advertising.
Creating Compelling Advertisements
All businesses using social media marketing are looking to create the best content possible. To produce effective advertisements, keep your content compatible throughout your posts. Find a posting style that
represents your particular brand and style. If your company is looking to attract a more serious clientele, then creating infographics or industry-related posts would be beneficial. Another way to create posts that will attract your audience is by staying on trend. While it can be difficult to adapt to each new fad on social media, find ones that match your brand personality and work that into your content. A current media trend is the use of short-form videos because they give information about a product while keeping audiences engaged with their brief content style.
Build Trust with Your Buyers
Audiences want transparency and consistency from companies; how can your social media reflect that? Being active on social sites can make your buyers feel closer to your brand. One effective way to build trust for your company is by sharing real customer reviews, testimonials or repost user-generated content. It’s a great way to influence purchasing decisions by showcasing a product in a positive light that comes less from an audience perspective than from a sales perspective. Don’t forget, social platforms can
also be used as a form of customer service for companies. Addressing issues on social media quickly and thoughtfully shows your consumers that your brand is dependable and cares about the customer’s needs.
Paid Social Media Advertising
We all need a little extra help sometimes, so PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising can give businesses a competitive edge. With PPC, you can place your advertisements on social media to target a specific audience depending on various factors, including geographic location, age, gender, or behavioural trends. The best part about this technique is that you only pay a fee when a customer clicks on your advertisement, which can be more cost-effective than other methods of social media marketing. Pay-Per-click is a great way to test drive new advertising tactics, promotional deals, or products to see what your audience is most responsive to.
Social media marketing has quickly become one of the most popular forms of advertising, for good reason. It connects your business to the consumer in a more interactive and engaging way.
Think Creative Agency’s team of qualified marketing specialists can help your brand create effective campaign strategies that appeal to your target demographic. Get in touch with us today so we can help you connect with your target audience!
