Social media has completely changed the way the world communicates with one another. Access is now twenty-four hours and global; and for the first time in a long time, it seems that the world is now a buyer’s market.
Social media networks have not just changed our daily lives and routines, but has changed the heart of how we do business on a global scale, as cold calls and general advertising are no longer the most vital ways businesses connect with their customers. Consumers and sellers are now in equal roles in the world of social media due to the accessibility of contact and content sharing.
A customer can do as much work at promoting a product they like as the business who is selling said product, and companies have embraced that caveat and are utilizing it at full capacity.
Social media networks are extremely vital to the way businesses, small or large, conduct their work and most importantly connect to the consumer. Whether that’s through advertising and viral promotions, or a more personal consumer connection, all forms are available and can be utilized for businesses on social media platforms.
Using your Entire Workforce
Businesses can also use social media to solve problems and create ideas throughout the company. Companies have the chance to utilize the intelligence of an entire workforce through social media networks.
Let’s say a team is having an issue with a certain project they are working on. Instead of wasting valuable time going through circles, a member of the team explains the situation and posts it on the business’ collaborative social platform. People that are not on the specific team but that have knowledge of the type of situation can comment with their own ideas to problem solve.
This is allows a whole company to collaborate with one another and also gives a form of transparency throughout the unit. Networks are allowing a business to utilize an entire workforce in a private but global atmosphere through a private collaborative platform.
Giving a Voice to Employees and Customers
Social media platforms allow businesses to lend an ear to both employees and customers in a variety of ways.
The level of transparency within the company, through groups on Facebook or circles on Google+, can be incredibly vital. Employees can know for the most part what exactly is going on throughout the many levels of an organization, through the sharing and following of information. Ideas can be shared through comments, or share their work effort and thoughts through blogs, allowing others to see what is going on in other parts of the business.
Customers also are empowered with an outlet to connect with businesses through social media networks. By connecting with a company’s page, they have the ability to send messages, share commercial content, or on Google+ attend hangouts (which are conversations with a company and their customers that utilize pictures and video content; perfect for promotions or information sharing).
Benefits of Specific Networks
Of course there is a wide-range of social media outlets for your business. It’s not so much about finding the right social media platform but rather finding the right combination for our content marketing strategy. The SM2 blog created a useful cheat-sheet for businesses explaining each networks pros and cons, which could be useful for further reading.
Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ allow a business to showcase a variety of content such as text, audio or video. Facebook and Twitter have the largest audience but is best used if you offer content that rewards commitment.
Google+ gives businesses the ability to attach itself to other Google products, create “circles” to differentiate what content is going to co-workers, clients, and customers, and also, maximize your SEO visibility.
Pinterest is a great supplemental network for your website due to its visual aspect that can attract customers and allow them to re-pin your content, through your boards or your website, to gain a wider audience.
Analytics dashboards (such as Google Analytics or Cyfe) are highly recommended to aggregate the data found on your networks to give you an idea on how your business is reaching your consumers, statistically.
A Global Business Trend
Throughout the world, most businesses are becoming integrated to social media networks. Many stick with Facebook and Twitter but each region is creating their own specific platforms. A popular site in China is WeChat, which combines status updates and photo sharing with text messaging and video calls. However, most countries are sticking to the standards, since globally it has the most reach. Ryan Holmes’ article for Business Insider expands on the details of global social networks.
Social media networks are not only vital for businesses but empowering. They engage you with an audience, allow you to collaborate with others in your company, and have a reach that is entirely cost-effective.
Social media networks have not just changed our daily lives and routines, but has changed the heart of how we do business on a global scale, as cold calls and general advertising are no longer the most vital ways businesses connect with their customers. Consumers and sellers are now in equal roles in the world of social media due to the accessibility of contact and content sharing.
A customer can do as much work at promoting a product they like as the business who is selling said product, and companies have embraced that caveat and are utilizing it at full capacity.
Social media networks are extremely vital to the way businesses, small or large, conduct their work and most importantly connect to the consumer. Whether that’s through advertising and viral promotions, or a more personal consumer connection, all forms are available and can be utilized for businesses on social media platforms.
Using your Entire Workforce
Businesses can also use social media to solve problems and create ideas throughout the company. Companies have the chance to utilize the intelligence of an entire workforce through social media networks.
Let’s say a team is having an issue with a certain project they are working on. Instead of wasting valuable time going through circles, a member of the team explains the situation and posts it on the business’ collaborative social platform. People that are not on the specific team but that have knowledge of the type of situation can comment with their own ideas to problem solve.
This is allows a whole company to collaborate with one another and also gives a form of transparency throughout the unit. Networks are allowing a business to utilize an entire workforce in a private but global atmosphere through a private collaborative platform.
Giving a Voice to Employees and Customers
Social media platforms allow businesses to lend an ear to both employees and customers in a variety of ways.
The level of transparency within the company, through groups on Facebook or circles on Google+, can be incredibly vital. Employees can know for the most part what exactly is going on throughout the many levels of an organization, through the sharing and following of information. Ideas can be shared through comments, or share their work effort and thoughts through blogs, allowing others to see what is going on in other parts of the business.
Customers also are empowered with an outlet to connect with businesses through social media networks. By connecting with a company’s page, they have the ability to send messages, share commercial content, or on Google+ attend hangouts (which are conversations with a company and their customers that utilize pictures and video content; perfect for promotions or information sharing).
Benefits of Specific Networks
Of course there is a wide-range of social media outlets for your business. It’s not so much about finding the right social media platform but rather finding the right combination for our content marketing strategy. The SM2 blog created a useful cheat-sheet for businesses explaining each networks pros and cons, which could be useful for further reading.
Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ allow a business to showcase a variety of content such as text, audio or video. Facebook and Twitter have the largest audience but is best used if you offer content that rewards commitment.
Google+ gives businesses the ability to attach itself to other Google products, create “circles” to differentiate what content is going to co-workers, clients, and customers, and also, maximize your SEO visibility.
Pinterest is a great supplemental network for your website due to its visual aspect that can attract customers and allow them to re-pin your content, through your boards or your website, to gain a wider audience.
Analytics dashboards (such as Google Analytics or Cyfe) are highly recommended to aggregate the data found on your networks to give you an idea on how your business is reaching your consumers, statistically.
A Global Business Trend
Throughout the world, most businesses are becoming integrated to social media networks. Many stick with Facebook and Twitter but each region is creating their own specific platforms. A popular site in China is WeChat, which combines status updates and photo sharing with text messaging and video calls. However, most countries are sticking to the standards, since globally it has the most reach. Ryan Holmes’ article for Business Insider expands on the details of global social networks.
Social media networks are not only vital for businesses but empowering. They engage you with an audience, allow you to collaborate with others in your company, and have a reach that is entirely cost-effective.