Just over half of the world uses Social Media – every day. 56.8% to be exact. So with the majority of the world maintaining an active presence online, it’s only natural that you’d want to excel at it too – particularly if you’re in the business of, well, running a business. With so many people using multiple online platforms, it’s rare that you’ll come across a business that doesn’t use social media, either to grow their audience, generate leads, make direct sales – or simply stay up to date with Industry (and competition) news and trends.

Social media is not dead.

It’s not going away anytime soon.

It may change it’s tune a bit, but it’s here to stay. So, let’s talk about how to use it in 2022 to boost your bottom line.

It’s…evolving.

From a shift towards TikTok, all the way through to Facebook solving it’s existential crisis by embracing the Metaverse – the goal posts have shifted. We’re talking full on immersive user experiences, and whether we like it or not – we have got to stay on top of it, if we are to make a dent in the world of socials.

So you know times are changing, you know you need to jump on the bandwagon if you want to succeed, but let me guess, it’s been a while since you’ve updated your LinkedIn profile or last shared an update? (That meme you share every year doesn’t really count) You want to make sure that you don’t get left behind and are able to capitalize on all of these new opportunities. Well I have good news for you – social media isn’t just about friends anymore! In fact, there has been a huge shift from being active on social media as an individual – towards businesses using it as a way to reach their target market.

We are living in a world where social media is no longer just for fun – it’s an integral part of any marketing strategy. Not only does your business need to be on all the usual suspects, but you also have newer platforms like TikTok available too.

You might be asking yourself

• What is the ROI?
• How am I going to find time to do it?
• How do I make it pay?

The majority of people still see social media as the evil stepmother of marketing, the disconnected piece of the puzzle, the playground that your mother forced you to play in. It’s just…so much more than that. It’s a place to be seen, to be heard, and most of all, it’s where the money is. Just like every other facet of marketing — social media needs a strategy too.

Sure – it can be daunting. Which platform should you use? How often do you post? Even more terrifying – WHAT do you post? All it really is, is another marketing channel. Nothing more, nothing less. Think of a screaming freeway billboard, just a little more interactive!

Let’s look at WHY businesses use Social Media

If we had to ask most of you why you use social media for your business, we’d probably get an answer along the lines of, “to gain followers”. Well – if you have 100 000 or more followers already, then that’s great for you! But, are they loyal? Do they purchase regularly from you? Are any of them actually your clients? (Or are they an ancient follower who followed you in 2010 when you shared the meme of the cat playing the piano?)  I can tell you that brand awareness, community engagement and content distribution are the biggest reasons that people use social media today. Sales, lead generation, and customer support are not far behind because those are the things that we want to do the most, but I think you have to realize that there’s a place for social media today, and you just have to understand where that is.

Here’s a fun fact that may make you jump onto Facebook to create your business account: Just over 70% of people are more likely to purchase a product, or a service – when they are able to invest in your brand’s story online. Simply put – the majority of people using social media are in the position to buy a product, sign up for a course – or invest in a long term service. The reality of it is that people buy from people, and now more than ever – your story MATTERS. Users don’t just buy a brand, they buy into a brand – meaning, if your story is valuable, truthful and authentic, then you’re already a winner.

It’s all about meeting your objectives!

Social media CAN meet your objectives. You just need to know what they are first. Do you want to use social media for brand awareness? Do you need it for customer service? Maybe your entire business is focused around generating leads through Facebook ads, or maybe LinkedIn is the real hero in your story. Whatever it takes – be strategic about how you are using social media too! Once you’ve identified your objectives, then you can tie them into your social media strategy. Take it easy – it can be difficult to swing from, “I need to launch a new ebook and double my sales this quarter”, to “Well, how is TikTok going to help with that?”

Here are some general objectives to get you thinking:

• Increasing awareness
• Driving traffic
• Re-engaging current customers
• Generating leads
• Growing revenue
• Boosting engagement
• Building community
• Social selling
• Offering support to existing customers

Those are marketing objectives that actually can be accomplished quite nicely through the right use of social media today. Now, narrow it down a bit and think of your top 3 marketing objectives for 2022.

Want to expand into a new market segment, or increase your territory? Well – you can use social media to build a community of new followers, while building relationships with brand ambassadors or influencers! (Hint – use a platform like Upfluence to identify the right influencer for you!)

Whatever the name of the game is, 2022 is all about authenticity. Sure, we are all online – but people buy from people, so let the world know who EXACTLY they’re buying from!

Answer this one question if you’re trying to make a decision about social media today: is the use of this tool or this practice or this tactic going to benefit my customers? If you can say “yes” to that, then you will always find a return on investment.

We’ll leave you with this, it’s difficult to go it alone. It can become overwhelming, frustrating – infuriating even. That’s why we’re here. At Catch The Beat, we hustle FOR you. Reach out to us, let’s discuss your approach to Social Media marketing in 2022!

Book your call here!