Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “Invisible threads are the strongest ties,” but Nietzsche lived long before the internet was born. Nowadays we are tied to each other in many ways thanks to the advent of social media.
Paraphrasing a popular joke about Facebook that is circulating on the internet:
- I decided to apply Facebook principles to my life to see if they worked outside of the internet.
- Now when I walk down the street I tell everyone I meet what I have eaten, how I am feeling, and what my social life is like.
- I show them pictures of my family, my dog and cat, and of me surfing at the beach. I show them several selfies of me watering the lawn, washing dishes, working in the garage, standing in front of landmarks, and partying with friends.
- I make sure to listen to what they have to say and give them a “thumbs up” Like before we part.
- This works just like Facebook. I now have four people following me: a police officer, a homeless guy, a private investigator, and a psychiatrist.
All kidding aside, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and the other social media formats have changed the way we interact with and do business with each other. They have blasted into our consciousness and taken over our senses as we have come to know them and use them. Savvy marketing managers are learning how to successfully utilize social media to enhance sales, connect with customers, build brand loyalty, and encourage repeat visitors.
Social media and businesses
The various forms of social media are a way for businesses to connect in a friendly way with their customers. Each social media format has the potential to dramatically increase business for an internet company.
Facebook offers the following benefits:
- A way for local businesses who do not have a web site to connect with their customers.
- A means of engaging on a personal level with a business’s customers.
- The option of putting an ad in the newsfeed column and linking it to a business’s page.
- The creation of surveys and polls to solicit information and to provide another means of connecting with customers.
- A place for fans to discuss your blogs.
- A chance to get your business a good ranking with search engines.
Pinterest can also help generate business:
- When people click on the Pinterest button on a site, the product or service is displayed on their Board. Pinterest Boards have followers who then learn about a business’s products.
- Diverse web sites can create Pinterest Boards to serve specific segments of a business’s market.
Twitter offers some unique opportunities for businesses also:
- Businesses can check out what their competitors are tweeting about and keep current with their sales.
- Twitter also offer and opportunity to place ads that can increase sales.
Twitter, along with Market Probe International, conducted a study involving 500 adult Twitter followers of small to medium-sized businesses. They found that:
- 72% of the people are more apt to buy from businesses they follow
- 86% are more apt to check out a business if a friend recommends it
- 85% of the people feel a connection with businesses they follow.
Instagram offers businesses similar benefits. Social media is here to stay. Businesses need to catch the wave of its benefits and enjoy the ride.
