Social Media: reaching the parts that other marketing cannot

​A lady called Melanie contacted me recently.  She had seen some of our video animation work on social media.  Her animator had just let her down, and she was wondering if Future Point 4 Business could step in.  I asked where she was based – she said New Mexico!

I know for a fact that none of my other marketing would have been likely to have reached her, but social media had made that valuable connection.

However, it is a sobering fact that, although we all know what social media is, in a recent survey, 23% of the business owners contacted said they didn’t know how to make proper use of it or they simply didn’t have time for it.

How does it work?

How could it work for your business?  The first point to make is that it’s social media, not sales media.  Social media is social; it is about people building relationships with each other – which, in the longer term, may likely turn into business relationships.

The blend of social and sales – and how quickly the first can transition into the second – does vary across different marketplaces and geography.  We are fortunate enough to have clients in countries around the world, as well as the UK.  This teaches us – and this may not come as much of a surprise! – that the UK marketplace is significantly more reserved than the US one.  Americans are more ‘up front’ with their social media intentions and engagement with us than, say, the Brits.

We also deal with clients in countries like Zambia, Taiwan and Angola.  In Zambia, there is a strong sense of community: people are enthusiastic and very ready to like, comment and share posts.  In Taiwan, the whole social media feel is more playful and relaxed.

It is worth stating here, that likes, comments and shares are not the be-all and end-all of social media engagement.  We have had many people comment enthusiastically on our posts when they meet us in person, when they have not registered any interest whatsoever online. While frustrating at times, it is reassuring to know that our investment into social media activity has still worked.

Take this as a light-hearted example: during the-forever-will-be-remembered lockdown I posted pictures of meals I had prepared from time to time across my personal social channels.  While a few people liked, commented, or shared the posts, the cunning mix of chickpeas, walnuts and dressing that went with that green salad, have been some of the first topics of conversation, quite often, when picking up the ‘phone or, since lockdowns, when attending networking events or other meetings.

Of course, this also raises questions about content, target audience and resonance.

Why come to us?

The power of social media is definitely worth considering for your business. So why come to us?  Five good reasons: -

1. Because we will sit down with you (or talk across Zoom or on the phone), understand your business and its present lead generation strategies, and then explain exactly how social media can work for you – without any charge at this point.
   
   
2. Because, as a result of this information-gathering process and our developing relationship, we will formulate a social media strategy for you, which fits with your objectives, your budget and your other marketing activity.  This will usually result in a priced monthly plan, so that you have complete visibility about what is happening and when.
   
   
3. Because we offer the whole range of the marketing mix, we can seamlessly integrate our activity into the rest of what you do – perhaps taking some of this over for you, but only if it helps you and it makes sense to do so.
   
   
4. Because, as noted above, we do try and work with you without demanding hours and hours of your time.  We obviously need your input, approval, or pieces of existing content from time to time, but our mission is to deliver great value whilst enabling you to focus on your key business.
   
   
5. ​Because of our knowledge and our experience. Our research found that a recent study revealed up to 24% of business owners do not think the use of social media is relevant to them. While, as said above, 23% of those surveyed say they don't know how to make proper use of social media to promote their business, or they simply don't have time for it. It is the latter 23% upon which we would like to focus. Are you among the 23%?

If we sound like the sort of social media partner that you would enjoy working with, please do not hesitate to get in contact today via the Contact Us page on this site – for a free, detailed, confidential and without-obligation discussion of your marketing needs, challenges and opportunities.

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