It is 2020, no one would take your business seriously if you are not on social media. About 15 years ago, the boomer generation thought that social media is another childish obsession that will soon fade away. Today, most businesses cannot survive without them. According to Econsultancy, social media is one of the top five marketing channels to generate a solid ROI.

If you were born between 1900 and 1980, you may struggle to understand the obsession with social media. There are over 3.5 billion social media users across the globe. This number equates to about 45% of the world population. This is significant not only because it is a huge number, but studies have also shown that social media users have more buying powers and spend more money compared to their counterparts who don’t use social media.

A similar study indicates that almost 90.4% of Millennials use social media. This generation is the one currently controlling the labor market. This means they have more needs to be satisfied and more money to spend. You will certainly increase your ROI if you know how to target them on social media.

As a small business owner, you need social media marketing more than big companies. Let’s face it, you probably cannot afford to spend millions of dollars on TV and billboard advertisements, big companies can do this. But here is the thing, social media gives you a chance to compete with them. With a peanut-advertising budget, you can be able to reach your target audience on social media and even boost your ROI. Awesome, right?

What is Social Media Marketing?

Just like the name suggests, social media marketing involves using social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to connect with your audience, build a relationship, promote your brand, do PR campaigns, increase sales, and drive website traffic. It is not just about running a campaign. It involves spending time to build and nurture your target audience to get their trust and also get them to see you as credible.

Despite its numerous benefits, it is shocking to discover that 50% of small businesses aren’t using social media for a PR campaign, according to a recent report. Additionally, most small business owners make a mistake when choosing a social media platform. With so many platforms out there, it is very important to invest in the right channels so you’re not spinning your wheels.

Why Should You Leverage Social Media For Your PR Campaigns?

This is a no-brainer! I can guarantee you that almost all your competitors have a social media presence. A new study showed that 97% of marketers are using social media and over 78% of salespeople outsell their peers by using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for their business.

Marketing research by Buffer in 2019 showed that 73% of marketers believe social media marketing has been “somewhat effective” or “very effective” for their business. The fact is, it has so many undeniable potentials. Take, Facebook, for example, there is no other platform in the world where you can find 1.5 billion potential customers in one place. This alone, makes Facebook, one of the most powerful marketing tools in the world right now.

 Other Reasons Why You Need Social Media For Your PR Campaign

1. You Need To Be Where Your Audience Is

If a good majority of your audience is on social media, then you need social media for your PR campaign. It makes sense because you can easily reach them. But don’t just sign up for the first social media platform you see. You need to make a research first. Look at your target demographic and determine where they are most active. This could be on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or YouTube.

2. Build a Relationship and Nurture Your Audience

With social media marketing, you can save hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising. However, for this to happen, you need to spend time building your brand and nurturing your audience on social media. When done well, you can build a loyal following that promotes your brand for free. You can always leverage your social media page when you want to launch a new product.

3. Offer Support

Your customers need a fast and efficient support system. It, therefore, makes sense that you use social media as one of your various support channels. This way, you can instantly provide support to your current customers and clear the confusion of your potential customers.

4. Reach Millions of Target Audience With Small Advertising Budget

With less than $100 advertising budget on Facebook and Instagram, you can reach thousands of your target audience. This is perhaps, the biggest advantage of using social media for your PR campaigns. It makes it easier to advertise your business, reach new customers, and increase your ROI without accruing too many costs.

Final Words

Social media marketing should be an imperative part of your brand’s marketing strategy. Almost every modern businesses both small and big are using them today. Your current and potential customers also expect you to be on social media. You can save money on your advertising costs, build a credible brand, increase awareness, boost sales, and growth of your business when you make use of social media the right way.