Social media isn’t just for the young ones, but for everyone and anyone that has access to online data. It has surpassed simply being a means of keeping into touch with others and has evolved into a powerful marketing tool that is being employed by companies all across the world.

I have the privilege of working as a social media manager for the last couple of years. I’ve advised every type of business on social media, from a car title loans company to a healthcare provider, and every client I have worked with has hugely benefitted from integrating social media into their business model.

I’m sure you’ve read online or been taught in business school that social media can help take your business to the next level both in terms of profit and brand awareness, and I couldn’t agree more.

However, if you are still unsure of whether to take the plunge and set up social media accounts for your business or brand, consider these 5 points explaining why social media is vital for your business’s success:

It Makes You Relevant 

Not having a social media account for your business is pretty much like being stuck in the Dark Ages these days. Clients as well as customers expect you to have several well-managed social media accounts, and so it can reflect poorly on your business’s image if you don’t have any. Social media accounts prove to the outsider that your company is relevant, hip and willing to have an interactive relationship with their clients and customers – which are all essential perceptions required for most successful businesses. 

Serves as a Virtual Focus Group 

Gone are the days when your company has to rely on expensive focus groups to see how the public is reacting to a new product or service you have recently launched. All a company has to do now is simply track social media response to see how the public is responding. This can save time and money, as well as allow larger volumes of feedback data to be collected.

You Can Interact Directly with Your Customer Base

In the past companies typically had little interaction with the majority of their customers, but thanks to social media this is all changing. Companies can now directly reach out to customers on a group and individual level through social media which can help companies build a positive online presence. Customers want to feel personally connected to their chosen brand, and social media makes this easy. 

It Drives Traffic to your Website 

If you are seeking more online traffic to your business’s homepage, look no further than social media. You can provide links to your homepage across all of your social media platforms, which should generate lots of hits back to your website. An increase in traffic to your website can easily translate into an increase in sales, which is of course what business is all about.

You Will Reach a Larger Audience 

The more effort you make in maintaining active social media accounts, the more followers, likes and members you will likely attract. This heightens the chance of profitable leads and also allows your company to increase its international brand awareness and online presence. Furthermore, reaching a larger audience is particularly helpful for when you are launching a new product or holding a major event, as you can inform millions of people with the click of a button.

Social media is undoubtedly a highly powerful tool that can help businesses build their brand awareness by reaching a huge audience. Effectively using social media takes time and a lot of work, and getting a large following won’t happen overnight. However, when done correctly it is more than worth your time. Good luck!