Why all Australian businesses must use social media
Social media is the fastest growing benefit of technology available to businesses, big and small.
Sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, MySpace, Bebo and myYearbook allows businesses to share news about their brand, products and services with loyal customers and potential customers from all around the world.
When it once would have been impossible for a Australian businesses to have customers in China and the United States, social media has allowed doors to open and given some businesses the chance to create limitless connections.
Businesses can use the relationships they have formed with customers, clients, or even friends and family to build their network and promote their products and services.
What are the benefits of using social media?
Although it can take some time to set up each social media page so that it is professional, reliable and engaging, there are enormous benefits for every business through the use of social media. Here are four reasons your business needs to engage with social media:
• To create more intimate relationships with customers – various social networking sites allow
businesses to engage with customers, ask questions and hear feedback
• To gain access to customers from all around the world – relationships and networking circles on social media allow people from all around the world to learn about a particular business
• Affordable – very few social media pages actually require any fee at all and the most popular sites, like Facebook and Twitter, are completely free
• Easy to use – although it can be time consuming to perfect, setting up a social media page is a very simple process.
How businesses should use social media
Business owners should treat their social media pages much like they would an actual store. Here are some key points to keep your social media engaging and reliable:
• Customers and clients must be provided with reliable information on what the business offers
• Give people the opportunity to have a say - people like to be able to provide feedback on a product or service so social media pages should provide a point for feedback (it is up to them whether this can be seen by the public or not)
• Ask questions – engage with friends and followers to create a more intimate relationship
• Share your products and services without irritating your social media network - featuring a product on your social media sites can be a great way of attracting new customers and interest however, if you’re constantly spamming people’s walls and news feed with product after product you can be guaranteed your business will lose friends and followers
Which social media sites should your business be using?
Each social media site operates in a different way but all of them allow businesses to network with customers and clients. Your business should utilize at least one or two of these sites. Here is a list of the top 10 social networking sites:
• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• MySpace
• Google Plus+
• DeviantArt
• LiveJournal
• Tagged
• Orkut
Setting up social media accounts is one of the first steps businesses must follow when trying to establish themselves. There is no easier and more affordable way of promoting your products and services and establishing yourself as a professional, reliable and trustworthy brand than through social networking sites.