By: Maria Rincon

      Most companies and individuals have been capitalizing on social media, reaping the many benefits of it and making it a fundamental part of their business. However, having risen so quickly into popularity, there are still some that have been reluctant to making the same integration to their business. Some assume social media is simply a trend of the moment and not worth the investment and effort, and there are also others that are part of an older generation and in general just not as receptive to change.

      In today’s capitalist world filled with competition, it is essential for a company’s growth, and perhaps even their survival, to acknowledge and accept the importance and many benefits of having a social media presence. When applied correctly, some of the most important ways that social media can boost a business include:

1. Directly increasing sales – Although this may seem obvious, many social media platforms may be used to market products for sale or linking to products resulting in direct sales.
2. Brand Awareness – Consumers will often research a newly discovered brand on social media to learn more about it and see what the brand is. It also provides legitimacy showing that a company is valid and authentic.
3. New Clients – Perhaps one of the greatest advantages is the ease of generating new clients and leads. For example, by having other users sharing your posts or even just using certain “hashtags” in your posts that are commonly searched brings in much more exposure which in turn brings you more followers. The growth is exponential.
4. More Efficient Marketing – Apart from the “free” marketing from posts and shares, the paid marketing on social media is often less expensive than other methods and also allows you to target your audience more precisely (geo-targeting) which significantly increases the return on investment (ROI).
5. Relationship / Brand Loyalty – Having existing clients “follow” you on social media makes it easy to stay in touch and keep them informed on your company. Establishing Brand Loyalty through Social Media and having a strategic and open social media plan could prove influential in morphing consumers into being brand loyal.

      While the list keeps going, one could even argue that the total benefits from social media to a company are endless. There is no doubt about it that social media isn’t going anywhere, and it’s here to stay.