Running a small business is much easier when you incorporate Internet marketing into your strategy. One way entrepreneurs are successfully doing this is with social media. There are so many different networks to test and try out. The nature of your business and the audience you cater to will determine which venues are the best. So before you shrug off the idea of using social channels, it’s good to give it a try. Or at least do a bit of research to see why your SEO company is recommending your brand to go social.
The following stats taken from the Social Media Marketing Industry Report help to prove that small companies can and are using these channels to market their businesses on successfully.
Facebook is the Most Widely Used
Small businesses just love Facebook. Numbers show that a whopping 93 percent of survey respondents use Facebook for their social media marketing. This topped Twitter, which was at 79 percent. Sixty-two percent of the small business owners surveyed also stated they would be increasing their Facebook marketing efforts in 2016. Sixty-six percent said they planned to increase their activity on LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter.
Entrepreneurs Agree Social Media is Essential
Not all small business owners are on the same page, but more than half of those asked stated they strongly agree that social channels are indeed a critical component for their business (58 percent). Another 34 percent agreed. Only seven percent were uncertain and two percent disagreed or strongly disagreed.
Many Entrepreneurs Spend Six or More Hours On Social Media Weekly
If this sounds like too much interaction on your channels, you’re setting your campaign up for failure. If you don’t have the time to dedicate to your social media marketing, you can hire an SEO company to do it for you. An Internet marketing agency can set up tools to streamline your brands interactions across your social channels, such as Hootsuite and Post Planner. Small business owners can also use these to schedule future messages, videos and posts in advance.
Thirty-three percent of respondents in the survey said they dedicated between one and five hours to social media marketing and management each week. Another 25 percent said they committed to between six and 10 hours weekly.
Small Brands Build Exposure
One of the top reasons small businesses like social channels is because it helps to increase their exposure. It’s the medium that is affordable for small businesses and allows visibility just as great as television and radio. Exposure was voted the top benefit of social media for small businesses over increased traffic (77 percent) and creating loyal fans (69 percent).