The horizon of social media continues to expand since the public learned of its existence. There are many reasons to use social networks. While some use it to stay in touch with friends, co-workers, and family. Social media has become the number one choice of Internet users to collect and exchange information. Recent studies have shown that 89% of internet users spend at least 3 hours per day communicating with friends through Facebook; In the same study, 76% of respondents mentioned that they spend at least four hours per day searching for information about products on social media.
Social media users in Indonesia, for example according to Hootsuite (We are Social), have reached 160 million social media users as of January 2020. The number of social media users in Indonesia increased by 12 million (8.1 percent) between April 2019 and January 2020. Social media penetration in Indonesia was 59 percent in January 2020. Social media was originally only used to allow users to connect with others through software that is in a limited virtual community. However, now social media is not only used as a means of virtual communities to interact alone, but also used as a channel in work. Evidently, the percentage of internet users who use social media for work purposes in Indonesia, according to Hootsuite (We are Social), is 65 percent.
As a millennial generation, we should take advantage of the existence of social media one of them by opening a business or entrepreneurship through social media. Social media is one of the most effective avenues to market, offering your online business to the wider community. Through social media, you can attract more customers to learn about products that other advertising media may not offer. Realizing the importance of social media for the growth of your online business will provide more opportunities to grow and attract more customers. Social media for business is no longer optional. This is an important way to reach your customers, gain valuable insights, and grow your brand. The following are some of the benefits of doing business using social media:
First, communication with customers is faster and easier. In whatever industry your business is, of course, challenges or obstacles will always be present in it, but the lines of communication that were once a bit challenging to build are no longer difficult to do. Because now there is a platform on various social media that will make it easier for communication networks to spread your products throughout the community. This means that customers can communicate their feedback in a short time just by using social media.
Second, humanize the brand. A UK study from Trinity Mirror Solutions found that more than half of adults don’t trust a brand until they see “real-world evidence” that it is keeping its promises. To connect with customers and potential customers, we must show the humanity of our brand or product brand. How do you embrace your brand values? (Does your product even have brand value?) How do you seek the best interests of your customers and employees? Does your product really work?
The ability to create real human relationships is one of the main benefits of social media for businesses. We call it a meaningful relationship moment. Introduce your followers to the people who make up your company and show how existing customers use and benefit from your products. Programs to increase buyer appeal through social media can be a great way to humanize our product brand.
Third, networking and partnerships. Building quality relationships becomes a lot easier with the efficient communication we get from social media, and building relationships with key influencers generates a lot of value for your brand.
Fourth, customer feedback. In the world of business, sales, and profits, regardless of what your industry is and who you market and sell to, the focus should really be on the customer. Success, both digitally and traditionally, is achieved by understanding – and delivering – the highest quality customer service, and doing everything in your power to ensure your customers and potential customers have the best experience with your company. Social media helps us maintain that reputation by giving us a platform to interact directly with our customers like we’ve never done before. That also means we receive real customer feedback directly from the source, faster than ever (and usually much rawer as well).
Businesses should use this incredible opportunity to build their brand as a truly consumer-first operation, ultimately building a brand reputation into something that has never gone wrong and been relied upon over the years by a growing customer base.
Fifth, impress customers. Through social media, there are many platforms that can attract customers to buy your products. One of them is by marketing your product through the Instagram social media application or website. attract customers through posting photos of your products. The more interesting and creative photos post your product, it will be a consideration for customers to buy your product.
Sixth, branding. Branding is a way of how you build a good image and reputation in the eyes of customers. Because of the importance of branding, businesses and organizations must build a strong brand from the start so that they can consistently maintain it as the business grows. The benefits of marketing products through social media are branding. By doing branding continuously and attractively, it can connect deeply with customers, employees, and the general public. This relationship is a gradual process that takes place over time, but starts with building a good reputation, letting your audience get to know your brand and eventually finding a way to communicate memorably, and end up buying your product.
If you are interested in starting a business, you can start this step by starting a business through social media first. Branding through social media will gradually develop and increase your business. As long as you have high intentions, motivation, and effort also in running the business. Always try to find a way out if your business is in a slump, looking for ways to attract the attention of your customers. Your business will be successful if it is done in earnest to achieve your business goals. Hopefully this article is useful for college students who want to go into business.
4 Comments