The COVID-19 pandemic is pushing people further apart from each other than ever before and while we are standing 6ft apart or staying home to help the NHS, there’s a definite way in which we are coming closer together: online.
According to the Independent, some Twitter users have noticed that their screen time has increased by a whopping 200%! Even parents who used to limit telly and device time with kids have now conceded that the best way to be in touch and connect with others is online, using devices and social media more than usual.
What Is The Function of Social Media for Businesses in Lockdown?
You can actually build your businesses strength and profitability via social media. Instead of stagnating business, social media is making it possible for businesses just like these to keep the cash-flow moving. You might have even seen Facebook and Instagram posts featuring “lockdown pre-order specials” on handbags and baby goods that will be sent out after lockdown.
How Can Social Media Help Your Business in Lockdown?
- Positions you as an authority
- Helps you understand your customers better
- Builds trust and engagement in brand
- Builds customer loyalty
Positions your business as an authority
People turn to social media to connect with friends, research product reviews and find out more about something/a product they are interested in. By ensuring that your social media pages feature content that your customers will find useful and that pertains to your company product range and niche market, you can start positioning yourself and your company as the go-to (or expert) in your industry.
Helps you understand your customers better
There’s been a definite increase in the number of entrepreneurs seeking out SME Loans to fund investments in social media marketing in order to track customer behaviour and ultimately get to know what customers want and need.
With lockdown providing you with more time to analyse the data, now is the perfect time to monitor what your customers are doing and you can only do that if you are willing to invest in social media advertising and get elbows-deep in the data and reporting provided. If you do it right, you could emerge from lockdown with an approach and product/service offering that speaks directly to your target audience’s needs, wants, and preferences.
Builds brands trust: encouraging engagement
Being a positive force in a person’s life can have a big impact. While stress levels are high at the moment and people are feeling down in the dumps, having a positive source of information and comfort is essential. Consumers will remember a company that didn’t just use social media for marketing, but also for promoting a positive attitude, reinforcing solidarity and trying to bring people up instead of revelling in all that is potentially wrong. If you use social media to share posts that lift spirits, it will position your business positively in the minds of your target audience and gains their trust.
Builds customer loyalty
If you have looked into investing in social media marketing before, you might already know that having an online interactive relationship with your customer base is important. Customers are no longer just interested in an advertised product. They want to have a conversation about it and they want to feel as if they are important.
During the lockdown period, you have the perfect time to build your social media audience and actually personally interact with your audience. Keep the tone light and professional and actually take an interest in what they have to say and what they are interested in. Being there for your customers during lock down is a sure-fire way to build customer loyalty that will certainly outlast any virus and lockdown.
Last Word
The above certainly makes it easy to answer the question of; “Just how important is social media for businesses during the global lockdown?” The simple answer is that it’s imperative! And it’s not too late to start focusing on your social media marketing efforts right now. Short term loans make it possible for struggling businesses to afford the investment and for those who have a little bit of cash stashed away; now is the time to put it to good use. Good luck!
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Interesting related article: “What is Social Media Marketing?”