Social networking sites are the hottest thing on the internet today. Facebook alone has more than 350 million members and is available in nearly every country on earth. And membership to these sites is free. Yes, free! Is it any wonder then why businesses all over the globe are promoting their products and services on these sites?
While it is true that social networking sites were popularisd by children and teenagers, the numbers tell us that many new members are adults. In fact, Facebook recently reported that the fastest growing group is the 35-54 year old segment.
Why is Social Media Marketing perfect for businesses? As we mentioned, they are free, which makes them a godsend for businesses with limited marketing budgets. With these free accounts, companies can communicate with customers, post blogs, videos and even advertisements on personalised member pages.
And because the service is free, there is virtually no risk. What we mean is that the only thing a company can waste is its time. By comparison, if a company saves up its money to pay for a traditional marketing campaign that falls flat with consumers, it may have to close its doors.
Another great thing about social media marketing is that it does not require any special skills. Anyone who knows how to communicate online is perfectly capable of launching an impressive marketing campaign on any social networking site. Also, because communication is direct and does not rely on popup ads or banners, it is far more intimate, which may help businesses build lasting relationships.