Why? Because it’s worth it. So open up your wallet, not just for the money to get out but also for them to come in. The great law of attraction works on social too. What you give is what you get.

We’ve heard many asking why does my business need social media? Social media is actually an essential piece of your business marketing strategy. Social platforms help you connect with your customers, increase awareness about your brand, and boost your leads and sales. With more than three billion people around the world using social media every month, it’s no passing trend. Without it, a lot of companies are missing out on the bigger picture and on what’s still to come.

To make it more clear we thought of seven ways in which having a strong social presence will benefit your brand and your business.

1. Investing in social media advertising will get you known. Locally or internationally, by your customers and stakeholders… their friends and their friends of friends. This creates awareness.

2. Being there allows you to send your message across, directly, how you want it, uncensored and unbiased. You show up authentic and you build your reputation.

3. A company needs to listen to what others say about it. What better way to do that than on social? Social networks provide large amounts of data which help you grow your image and reputation, spot early issues and prevent or manage crisis.

4. You can get to know your market and your competition, which are the trends and what other players do, how and when they do it, and on which channels. You can scan it all, on an ongoing basis, just by following their social media.

5. To build relationships with your employees and other stakeholders, use social networks! Create private groups and events to recruit, build teams and brand loyalty.

6. You can offer support. Many companies are turning now their social media into primary customer service channels, due to increasing customer assistance requests by users in in this space.

7. The world is changing and the new generations coming are digital natives. If you target them in any way then you must enter, act and communicate within their space.

Now the tricky part is that, although many have understood the point we’re making here, they won’t allocate budgets for their social media strategy and tactics. And let’s face it: just by being on social media won’t get you too far. You need to really BE there. As in day-by-day, posting relevant content, promoting your activities or products, engaging in dialogue, delivering solutions, measuring and analysing. This takes time, skills and money. Once you do it, your efforts will be rewarded. But if you don’t, remember: others are doing it already, and they are getting ahead of you. 

By Andreea Zaharia, Digital Director