Design-Unleashed

Social Media Marketing is part of a company’s integrated marketing communications plan to remain connected to their target market. It’s done through websites that allow users to share content, media and opinions and facilitates news aggregation and online reference sources. Every business needs to take a strategic approach to incorporate social media into their PR and marketing plans. The companies must realize that social media is an emerging platform to expand their marketing strategies and not to replace their existing initiatives and plans. This has three components: concept, media and social interface. It can be used for

• customer service by responding directly to the customer’s complaints and improve customer service
• news releases that can be done by broadcasting updates, announcements and news
• promotion of products or services by educating and informing customers
• disclosing details about the company like giving the customers a peek at the working of the company
• advertising their products or services to create brand awareness and monitor brand reputation

Social media helps in socializing, building relationships and increasing transparency. However, it also has some drawbacks like sometimes the content gets overlooked, information is overloaded, work/life balance is hard to achieve and it takes time to show results.

Small companies with a small budget can find this mode of publicity very useful. They can promote the usage of multimedia by publishing videos and pictures. Integrate their offline and online marketing strategy. Publish different communication messages for different media to increase acceptability. Being visible on the local search engines can also help in promoting their business. Offering contests and discount to consumers can immensely help in brand promotion in the initial stage.

Social media is an enormous advertising platform. This gives the company an opportunity to reach their target audience based upon specific interests shared on the social media platform. The key to success in social media is to stay away from the corporate attitude. The idea is to be authentic and develop trust to build a strong relationship with the customer.

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