Having had facebook for many years, I have recently decided I would join twitter to see what all the fuss is about! People have been telling me to join it for ages but I never saw the appeal previously. However, now I am on it I have become addicted!!! Social media has changed the way I communicate and interact with family, friends, brands and even companies. The question is why has social media become so addictive and a large part of our lives today?
Social media has changed the marketing industry, there is no doubt about it. Gone are the days where traditional marketing of tv, print ads or mail was effective by itself. Of course under the right conditions they still work today, but it has become more important to use social media to grasp the attention of your audiences.
Why is social media important? In today's society, it has become important to collaborate, co-create and build relationships through interaction with your customers on a personal level. Customers today are highly knowledgeable upon what is out there in the market, particularly through the use of the internet. Therefore to stand out from your competitors you need to get them on side, to relate to your brand, understand your values and in many ways develop a brand personality. With this, customers will be able to relate on a deeper scale to your brand, thus an increased rate of buying your products or services; therefore retaining their custom for longer periods. Furthermore, customers trust customers. This is an explanation for the rise in customer review sites. Social media builds on this whereby a brand has become more than just a logo or product, it is now about the whole experience given to the customer. In many ways this can adjust the control of the brand within the company, leading to more power to the consumer. Yet, this is necessary when you consider all the other brands doing the same. To maintain competitive within the market surely social media is the way forward.
Companies need to get on board and take advantage of the new opportunities arising. Many would argue if they do not enter the social media world, there may be trouble ahead. The way people are interacting is increasingly online. What is more, word of mouth has become more powerful as through social media the masses can promote their favourite brands to their friends; which often leads to viral campaigns appearing. To promote, build awareness, acquire and retain customers social media is a must. If you are not using social media, now is the time to get on board.
To conclude, social media has perhaps not become addictive, but more the new way of life. It is the new way for customers and brands to relate with one another on a new and deeper level. It is about collaborating with your customers to build two-way relationships to raise your brand awareness and image. Will social media ever end? I believe this is just the beginning.
Pink Eagle, why not blue wave??
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