For those who need reassurance that your social media efforts are not done in vain, this post is for you. Some businesses believe that social media may be a fad that will eventually die down, and companies will write it off as a sunk cost and move on to better things. Sorry folks, but social media is here to stay.
According to Dennis Lynn’s article “3 Reasons to Stick with Social Media,” here are a few things to keep in mind:
“This isn’t some little thing we’re testing.”
Social media has become, for most, a way of life. People have integrated this into their daily life; just as they have with television, smart phones, and GPS systems. Because it is widely adopted, business will use it and continue to use it to communicate with millions of potential customers. Like Lynn states, “This isn’t a six month plan. This is forever. Deal with it.”
“You have to think long-term.”
Those who are hesitant to adopt a social media strategy are thinking too short term. Building social media networks takes time and a lot of effort. When businesses can’t rapidly justify their investment, they get nervous and quickly pull out before the campaign can even take full effect. So don’t get discouraged when you end up only gaining a couple new accounts in a particular week. Social media is about building a strong network of people over a long period of time, “some of whom become our largest customers and transform our business.”
With that in mind, here are some reasons to stick with social media marketing:
You Need People
In the business world today, having the most people in your network can be a huge advantage over your competitors. Whatever business you’re in, you need people to help propel your business. The more friends, fans, followers, and blog subscribers you have, the more people you can market and sell to.
Things Change
Understand that things can change, such as your product and service, so you need to be able to adapt quickly. Social media helps you do this. Try viewing your social network as a distribution channel. As long as you have a strong and large enough network, you can “distribute” or sell anything through this system.
Real Time Customer Service
Customer service will always be a key factor in retaining customers. When customers don’t get what they want when they want it, you’ve lost a customer to your competitor. Social media can deliver instantaneous service, whether it is answering questions, dealing with complaints, or placing an order.
There are numerous reasons for continuing your social media campaign. Discover your own reason and stay motivated. Just remember that social media marketing takes time and if you have a well thought out plan, it will pay off in the long run.
