In the last decade, social media has become an integral part of everyone’s lives, whether this be personal or professional. When it comes to professional spheres, social media marketing is one of the most popular strategies for businesses to grow. It has the power to connect businesses with their ideal audiences almost instantly — and what could be better than that?
However, it’s also important to remember that social media can be a double-edged sword, offering significant benefits while posing certain risks. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of using social media for business promotion.
Pros of using social media for business promotion
There are many benefits for using social media as part of your marketing strategy — especially if you run a business. We believe that these are the two biggest benefits of social media promotion that businesses like yours should consider.
Increased exposure and brand awareness
One of the most powerful benefits of social media is its ability to boost your business’s visibility more than any physical marketing efforts. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter give you the chance to access a pool of potential customers, where your posts can be shared among hundreds or even thousands. As you can imagine, this is a huge plus for your brand’s exposure.
Did you know that businesses that actively engage on social media enjoy higher brand loyalty from customers?
Authentic engagement with customers
Social media offers an unlimited opportunity for genuine customer interaction. Unlike traditional marketing efforts such as email newsletters, social media provides real-time communication with an audience. Whether this be through comments, direct messages, or polls, these social media platforms can foster a sense of community and loyalty.
Cons of Using Social Media for Business Promotion
Like anything, there are also downsides to weigh up and consider. According to many UK businesses, there are two disadvantages to consider before making social media your main marketing effort.
It can be time and resource-intensive
Despite its benefits, social media marketing does require a lot of time and resources — and this can sometimes come at a cost if you need to hire extra help. Creating consistent content, managing posts, responding to customers, and keeping up with new platform updates can sometimes be overwhelming for small business owners without the right knowledge or support.
As stated by NI Business Info, the demand to maintain a consistent and engaging social media presence can sometimes divert resources from other critical business operations, which could potentially lead to a lack of profit — so this is definitely something to consider.
There’s a risk of negative feedback
The open nature of social media naturally increases risk of negative feedback and public criticism — an understandable fear for a business with a reputation to uphold. With social media, an unsatisfied customer will quickly be able to share their experience with many others in your target audience pool, potentially harming your business’s image. To tackle this, you’ll need to have the time and the knowledge to curate prompt and thoughtful responses, which can be a delicate balance to maintain.
Social media platforms and their promotion strengths
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are the elites of the social media world. They each offer unique features that can cater to different aspects of business promotion.
Facebook’s untouchable demographic reach is ideal for broad targeting, while Instagram’s visually aesthetic platform is perfect for creating engaging content for younger audiences. On the other hand, Twitter’s instant nature is suited for real-time updates and communications.
For businesses targeting specific customer groups, niche social media platforms may be more beneficial.
LinkedIn is the go-to platform for B2B companies, great for professional networking and industry-focused content production. Pinterest is ideal for businesses in fashion, decor, and DIY crafts, capitalising on its image-driven and inspirational setup. TikTok thrives off of the younger generations’ need for instant gratification, offering businesses lots of coverage with the help of viral video content.
Will you choose social media or traditional marketing for your business?
We’re lucky to live in a world where social media can have such a positive impact on businesses, but have you ever considered integrating traditional methods of marketing to foolproof your strategy?
Our team at Essex Leaflet Angel specialise in a comprehensive leaflet distribution service across Essex — a well-rounded way to complement your online efforts by extending your reach within the local community.
Wondering if business leaflet distribution is for you? Get in touch with our team today.