The Impact of Social Media

This week we spent time learning about social media and how it has impacted advertising for businesses.  It has been interesting to reflect on social media and how it has impacted life over the last decade.  I had the opportunity to reflect on my usage of social media, and how I evaluate businesses based on what I see while using it.

The most important thing I learned this week is the importance of social media on people’s opinions.  Considering the previous powerhouses of advertising, and the fact that they’ve lost popularity over time, it is important to consider what they have been replaced with.  People spend a large amount of time on social media, and they communicate with friends who share the things they are interested in.  These things make social media a great place to advertise my business and products. 

As I’ve seen in previous weeks, being considerate of what customers want is critical to be successful.  This is true with social media as well.  What will catch people’s attention, and more importantly, what will make people want to share with others.  Getting your social media posts shared is the goal of a social media campaign.  When people choose to share your posts, their friends that see them are more likely to pay attention and trust your business.  Getting customers to share their recommendations with their friends is an amazing boost to a business and is advertising that doesn’t cost a penny. 

Social media can’t be ignored in today’s culture.  As a business, you have to decide whether or not to be a part of it.  And, if you choose to be a part of it, there needs to be a strategy.  However, if you have a good strategy, a small advertising budget can go a long way; All the way to success!