As we approach the midpoint of 2016, it has become quite clear that social media are a viable marketing platform for business. As we discussed earlier, social media shouldn’t take the place of a well-designed website. However social media can be a great way to interact with customers and build brand loyalty.
So what are some social media trends in 2016? How can you take advantage of social media trends for your business?
Live Updates
Have you noticed folks using the “live video” and “instant” features on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat? These campaigns give customers a look at the really real world within your business.
This is a great way to put a face on what could be a faceless service. Go shoot a short video of a mechanic working on a car in your shop, or of an administrator keeping the office running smoothly. If customers (or potential customers) see a jovial, productive work environment, they will associate your business with a positive reputation.
Sponsored Content
Facebook is pushing hard for business pages to drop a little money on sponsoring posts. That means you give Facebook a relatively small amount of money and it will show one of your Facebook posts in the timeline of users who may otherwise not know about your business. Facebook is incredibly good at really almost-creepy levels of targeted marketing, so this could be a great way to get in front of people who may truly be interested in your product or service.
Customer Care
Social media is a convenient and very public forum for customer support, and customers use it often. When done right, it can do tremendous things for your business. When done wrong, it can go really, really wrong.
Post Planner goes into great detail about how to embrace “obsessive customer support” in 2016. Among the top tips: get full buy-in from everyone at your business; connect with existing customers rather than focusing solely on finding new ones; and show, not tell.
Social Media Get Really Social
Word-of-mouth programs are huge in social media. Potential and current customers can smell an advertisement coming from miles away. Businesses that allow their employees to advocate for their business on social media have a much larger impact. VentureBeat.com says “Nailing down right person, with the credibility, expertise and relatability that get your target customer to take action, means a return of $6.50 for every buck spent.” This “influencer marketing” is biggest in food and fashion.
