What is Social Media

What is Social Media

What is that social media marketing all about and how it will help my business? Well Social Media on the Internet IS one of the latest trends and has an immense amount of influence on SEO, your brand, your business and your reputation online. Social Media relates to online channels or services that people use to communicate with their friends, supporters, customers and others who have shared interests.

A unique feature of social media is an ability to “like” the message of another person, read their experience of using a product or service, post reviews or comments, etc. It is word of mouth advertising that has gone digital and it is extremely powerful when harnessed.

What are Social Media Sites?

Social Media sites are ones that allow interaction between members or users. This can be everything from social network sites (Facebook, Linked In, My Space, Bebo, Google Plus etc). There are also well known micro blogs, the most famous being Twitter as well as video sharing sites YouTube, Vimeo, Videojug. And there are review sites, Check a Trade, Trip Advisor, Qtype, Google Local Listings etc and directories such as Thomson Local, Yellow, Upmystreet etc. This really is just the tip of a much bigger iceberg, it is important to manage social media based on YOUR business.

It is therefore important to have a presence on the sites that are relevant to your business as you need to be a part of the conversation. This is invaluable information for you to use in your market research and social media can be a powerful extension of your customer service.

Social Media is user generated content

The more positive reviews you have, the more this helps your business not only in so far as you are getting great recommendations to hundreds if not thousands of potential visitors but if there is a problem, then how you deal with it can have as much, if not more of an impact on how your business is viewed.

User generated content has an impact that is far reaching as this is word of mouth advertising and whether it is good or bad, it now has a global reach.

Being allowed to participate in a dialogue with an unhappy customer is an amazing opportunity. It can not only allow you the chance to correct the problem, but it is essential feedback for you as well. For example, if you receive a series of bad reviews about your company, your products, your employees or services, you have a chance to explain how you have improved. Equally, if you receive good reviews you can thank them and also use this as an opportunity to cross or up sell for future goods or services. You can increase their feel good factor by showing that their views are seen and valued.

 Social Media is happening now in the 24/7 world of the Internet

Social Media can promote or damage your business and the conversations are happening now, regardless of whether you get involved. Social Media is happening and if you are not part of it then how can you hope to control the impact it has?

Business owners are finding that when they get involved they can influence so many aspects of their business. They can minimise negativity and maximise positivity just by caring enough to be aware of what is happening out there on the world wide web.

Get social and utilise this powerful FREE marketing avenue today, getting involved is essential to really grow your business and create more interest in you! Why not get a free social media review today? Or contact us to discuss how we might be able to help.