We're living in the digital age where more and more people are turning to technology for solutions. In the last ten years, social media has grown into so much more than a way to stay connected with friends and family. It's quickly become a medium for brands to connect with and promote services to their audience.
However, as new platforms and features have developed over the last few years, many organizations can't keep up with what all there is to offer.
What is Social Media Management?
The overarching idea of social media management is exactly as it sounds— it's the process of managing your presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Vimeo, Pinterest, TikTok, Snapchat, and more.
Depending on your industry and business goals, your social media manager may only use certain platforms. Apart from monitoring your online presence and reputation, your social media manager will set up and optimize your social media accounts, create and analyze content and audience reactions, increase followers, manage advertising, and put forth content that's tailored to connect you with your target audience. Most firms will also provide monthly progress reports showing the results of their efforts to interact or engage with customers on your various social pages.
How Social Media Management Can Help Your Business
Social media is an ever-evolving force that is relevant to business growth, and if you don't currently have someone managing your business' social media, you could be missing out on tons of opportunities.
Regardless of business size and budget, social media is an effective tool to achieve business goals. Here are some of the ways that social media management can benefit your business.
- Drive Traffic to Your Site: Social media allows you an opportunity to post content and ads that drive traffic to your website. For example, if your website already has a blog section, then sharing those posts to your social channels could draw in new followers and traffic. Additionally, they can generate leads through advertising that direct users to a specific landing page on your website.
- Increase Sales: Social media is an important part of your sales funnel and provides an outlet for product search and e-commerce to thrive. Nearly 4 billion people are on social media as of January 2020, with numbers only expected to increase due to Covid-19. With the right strategy in place, you could reach tons of potential new customers.
- Build Brand Recognition: Your target audience is likely already using social media, so use these platforms as a way to humanize your brand and build brand awareness. Engage directly with your customers and followers and post content that is likely to be shared to reach potential new customers.
- Learn About Your Audience: Social media offers a unique chance to learn more about your customers, what they think, and what they want. Most social media networks offer analytics that can give you insights into the people interacting with your account, allowing you to better connect with customers.
- Advertising on Social Media: If you’ve ever used Google Ads you already know how costly that can be. Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, can drive traffic to your website for a fraction of the cost. You can also use Facebook Pixel to track conversion or remarket to people that have already taken some action on your website. Almost all platforms offer very powerful targeting and advertising programs.
Social media management is a useful and timely resource that can help businesses of every size reach their audience and make lasting connections that convert. We’ve found that Real Estate Agents can benefit most by using Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, but new platforms are constantly emerging like TikTok, which has been in the news lately.
About the Author
Kevin May is the President of LandHub.com, a national land listing firm that has embraced social media since their inception. LandHub is an education partner of RLI and is currently offering discounted social media management services to their members. Kevin was recently featured on the RLI Voices of Land Podcast in a show titled How Agents Can Best Market Properties in the Digital Space. Kevin can be reached at KMay@LandHub.com.