Why Your Business Needs a Social Media Marketing Plan

Social media has become one of the most potent platforms for businesses large and small all around the world. Any business that doesn’t take the power of social media seriously is simply allowing their competitors to get the edge on them.

Marketing on social media can feel overwhelming. Every year there are new, powerful sites that begin taking more attention away from the giants like Facebook and Twitter. However, Facebook and Twitter remain the kings (for now), and advertising or posting comments or threads at random simply isn’t going to work.

People have become almost numb to the general marketing of businesses on these sites, which is why you need to be dedicated to a specific and target plan. So, why is it so important to have a social media marketing plan?

It helps to understand your customers.

Every company has a target market. I’ve heard a lot of people claim they’re market is “anyone and everyone who wants quality,” and while that may be generally true, there is a specific market for every product or service out there.

By sitting down to work on a social media marketing plan, you begin to understand your key market better. Is it 18-25 college educated men? 41-60 year old executives with high incomes? 13-18 year old teenagers? Whatever your target audience, the more specific you can be, the better it’s going to be for your marketing strategy and sitting down to figure that out will only help you in the end.

It provides direction.

When you’re just stepping into the realm of social media marketing for the first time, you might not have a clue where you’re going with it. This may offer some insight into your entire business.

By developing a pointed and specific marketing strategy, you begin to develop a better direction for your own business.

Customer service and communication get a boost!

Believe it or not, people love when a business they rely on is responsive to their needs. They might follow their Facebook page, for example, and comment on a few posts or videos the company puts out, and when that company responds to those comments, it makes the customers feel like they really do matter.

Your customers will begin to respond in a positive manner to your social media presence when you communicate with them (not just at them).

Your business will be more competitive.

The world is constantly changing and that means any business that wants to stay competitive must keep up with the changes. Marketing has shifted tremendously in just a few short years. It wasn’t all that long ago when people would open up that big, clunky book called the Yellow Pages to find a local business.

Today they go online.

If you want to stay competitive or get competitive, you absolutely must consider social media marketing.

It’s a cost-effective marketing solution.

Small businesses get a chance to compete with the big boys thanks to social media. It doesn’t cost a lot to get your foot in the social media door, but you do need something of value to offer your followers and prospective customers.

Now that you know the importance of a social media marketing plan, isn’t it well past time you got started with yours?