Many of us are familiar with Social Media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram.
Social Media Optimisation (SMO) is the latest way of communicating with your target audience or customers about your products and services and its content through these social media tools.
The most important aspect of Social Media is that it is affordable. Businesses do not need big marketing dollars to make this media work.
Social Media has changed the way in which Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) compete with bigger entities.
Social media plays an important role in online marketing helping SMEs generate new leads, develop new concepts and increase sales and profits.
Boon for SMEs
SMEs can easily engage with their customer base, while expanding the same through referrals and recommendations.
Social Media helps by allowing existing customers to promote your company’s product and service within their group and associates.
You communicate directly and extend special offers to this market. SMEs have the ability to respond quickly to market needs, unlike many large establishments.
Businesses should be able to effectively communicate and share quality information to be successful in social media. This can be achieved by constantly updating content and keeping it original.
Do not let your customers get bored but keep them entertained. It is important to understand the nuances of Social Media in the first instance, learn from professionals and assess the activities of your competitors. Companies do well to assess all platforms and choose the best that fits their business. They should also seek the services of an expert if required.
Potential customers
Generating relevant and high quality content through blogging and tweets will spread your message and increase traffic to your website. These followers could be your customers and they keep coming back for more and more. Your competitors may be already engaged in social media and online marketing, thereby improving their web traffic. It is therefore important to generate high quality leads.
Social media enables businesses to stay abreast of the trends in the market and adapt quickly to changes. Many SME’s have become successful by utilising good social media content.
Once engaged with, it is very important to utilise the feedback in a productive manner and grow the business.
Businesses should be careful and plan proper usage of this highly influential medium or it may hurt their business. They should attract more friends and not adversaries.
Business owners should be aware that bad Social media can turn nasty, personal and argumentative. It is important to be polite; online communication can sometimes be perceived as arrogant.
Social Media and Search Engine optimisation work well together and help grow your business and profits.
Sriram Gudipoodi is Managing Director of the Auckland based Inmedia Limited. He can be reached on (09) 6262413 or 021-832328.
Email: ram@inmediaconcepts.co.nz; website: www.inmediaconcepts.co.nz
