By Hasnain Shakeel
In the morning, the first thing most of us do is check social media. The last thing we do before going to bed is also check social media, and the one thing we do throughout the day in our free time is, again, check social media.
We use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Twitter to chat with friends and relatives - but beyond that, we can also use them to enhance and grow a business, and by building websites we can increase the audience that reaches it.
Why is social media important?
Social media is important because it allows you to reach, nurture, and engage with your target audience no matter their location. For business, it offers companies a way to connect one-on-one with that audience and nurture those audience members into customers.
Why social media marketing matters
Social media marketing is important for businesses for a few reasons.
1. Get more qualified leads. In many traditional marketing campaigns, most of the target recipients are possibilities at best. They may or may not be interested in your offering, and some may never be interested. You cannot be sure they will take advantage of the offer or even bother to review it.
2. Build a community. In most traditional (and even some online) marketing initiatives, your company is solely responsible for spreading your message. Your flyers may be passed around, and someone might occasionally forward an email newsletter, but these things do not happen often enough to have a real impact. With social media marketing, sharing is encouraged, which can have a huge impact on your business.
Social media makes it easy for your followers to share your promotions and content. And even if they do not directly share your posts, they can speak positively about you and direct traffic to your social accounts or website. This is extremely valuable, as most consumers tend to trust recommendations from friends and family much more than recommendations from companies themselves.
Leveraging your network
"If you want to go somewhere, it is best to find someone who has already been there." - Robert Kiyosaki
It is often said that it is not what you know, but who you know. The leverage of people is key to success, and that is a compelling reason to network effectively to achieve your goals. Highly successful entrepreneurs have highly valuable networks, developed over many years, and they invest considerable time and effort in maintaining them.
For professionals and businesses alike, the lesson is the same: social media gives you the reach, and a well-maintained network gives you the leverage. Used together, they turn everyday connections into lasting growth.
