Social media is the use of online communication tools. Through the Internet, social media is a tool that allows businesses to create personal space. Social media allows a business to have a presence online, form a connection to an online community, communicate on certain topics, voice their opinions with people who have common interests. Businesses can create information about their products or services through social media without spending a lot of money.
Social media uses Web 2.0 technologies that allow businesses to communicate in real-time. Businesses will be able to post and receive messages within minutes. Social media can be in the form of a wiki page, Facebook page, Twitter or LinkedIn account.
Advertising
Social media allows a business to advertise their product or service for the entire Internet community to see. Social media helps businesses reach many people in the online community. Based on how the businesses advertise themselves people will be able to view their social website on the local, state or international level. Businesses can use social media to let visitors know their website exist online and how their company function.
At a small price, businesses can use social media to promote their company. When businesses are involved in social media they are creating a façade of their product or service for the Internet community. Businesses are displaying their merchandise, promoting and displaying their product. Moreover, there are businesses that are interested in getting Instagram followers free in order to improve their reach and credibility of their brand. Making this an effective marketing strategy.
Consumer Connection
Social media allows businesses to connect to a broader audience in terms of how they market their product or service. Businesses can use social media to form partnerships with other businesses. Businesses will be able to place ads through websites that have common interests and send out instant messages about their product or service online to persuade customers to visit their website.
Businesses can create surveys and opinion polls, then display the data on their social media website. Pepsi has begun offering grants to individuals and organizations through its Pepsi Refresh Project. Pepsi lists the grants and asks people to vote. People can vote on a grant idea by signing into Face book or Yahoo. Based on the people’s vote Pepsi will donate money to these individuals or organizations.
Since social media is in real-time and information can be retrieved within minutes businesses can see how well they are meeting customer needs. Customers can use social media to communicate directly with the business to express their concerns and make suggestions. Allstate insurance has a twitter account where customers are able to post messages about the company. Based on customer feedback Allstate insurance can change company policies or make adjustments to help meet customer needs.
Benefits
Businesses can benefit from social media by being in touch with their customers on a daily basis to know how their product or service is doing in the market. Businesses will be able to make changes based on customer feedback. Businesses will also bear witness to how competitors are doing online with their social media outlets.