If your business is currently considering the prospect of working with a social media marketing consultant, you are not alone. The industry was valued at US$23.32bn in 2021 and is expected to surpass US$32.79bn by 2031. This growth alone shows that an increasing number of companies are turning to outsourced social media marketing services to drive greater success in the highly competitive market. Here’s why hiring a marketing consultancy like The Change Starter should be on your agenda in 2024.
1. Social Media Marketing is No Longer an Optional Strategy
First and foremost, social media marketing is now a necessity for businesses that wish to thrive in the digital landscape. Research shows that 62.3% of the world's population uses social media while the average daily usage is 2 hours and 23 minutes. As such, it has created an incredible opportunity for brands to connect with a huge audience to harness meaningful relationships.
In fact, 90% of all social media users follow at least one brand online while the majority interact with dozens of businesses in a typical week. Therefore, social media marketing has become a powerful tool for achieving marketing objectives and driving business growth. Besides, modern consumers expect businesses to be active on social media. Failure to do this enables your competitors to take advantage.
The right social media marketing strategy also integrates with other digital marketing channels by directing users to websites and email marketing sign-up pages. Similarly, the use of hashtags and other tools enables social media to play a significant role in offline campaigns.
In short, SMM is now needed by every business from small local businesses, to small and medium established businesses to online ventures, and global organisations alike. Now is the time to get started.
2. Some Benefits of Social Media Marketing For Businesses
Social media marketing isn’t simply something to embrace because other businesses use it. Social media advertising accounted for 33% of all digital advertising spending in 2022, and the figures for 2024 will show that there is a continued shift to SMM.
Whether using a social media marketing consultant or not, a defined strategy helps to;
Enhance brand awareness and reach - over 5 billion social media users now exist across multiple channels.
Build strong customer relationships - social media can also be used to gain feedback, provide customer care, and provide greater insights into the people behind the brand.
Create targeted advertising campaigns - the ability to define who sees ad campaigns boosts effectiveness and cost-efficiency.
Generate qualified leads and sales - in fact, 80% of consumers have made purchases or bookings in direct response to social media ads.
Use real-time data insights - analytics range from how many people see the content to how many users follow the intended call-to-action.
Become an industry influence - social media content services can help brands grow their followings and become authoritative voices in their fields.
Social media marketing is also the fastest and most cost-effective way to express the company’s message. In today’s landscape, both of those ingredients are essential in the recipe for success.
3. Why You Need a Social Media Marketing Consultant
The social media marketing industry has evolved very quickly. It was once an arena where companies could thrive through DIY efforts but has now become one in which hiring a social media marketing consultancy is a necessity for most businesses.
Developing a strong SMM strategy will go a long way to defining your brand. It requires a great deal of time and expertise to get right. Frankly, taking this on yourself - especially alongside the challenge of running the business itself - will only ever yield limited results. Conversely, outsourced social media marketing consultancy gives your company;
Access to a dedicated team of experts with knowledge of the different algorithms that social media platforms operate on and how to take advantage of them.
A reinvigorating burst of energy to your posts and marketing that aligns with your brand positioning and overall marketing goals.
A positive, professional, and authentic presence that immediately gives you an advantage over the competition whilst influencing consumer decisions.
The chance to showcase itself and link to customers and prospects quickly. This unlock long-term success and ROI.
A social media marketing consultant will analyse your existing strategy and gain a better understanding of your goals before building bespoke plans. Strategic planning analyses target audience, competition, and industry trends to create a roadmap for content creation, engagement, advertising, and measuring success.
Meanwhile, effective social media advertising campaigns require in-depth knowledge of platforms, ad targeting, budget optimisation, and ad performance tracking. An SMM consultancy will empower your business by making the most of paid campaigns, while also using analytics for continued growth.
It is the ultimate choice for both time and resource efficiency. More importantly, working with outsourced social media marketing teams allows you to climb the mountain and remain at the top. Better still, the professional guidance allows you to act with 100% confidence.
To find out more, book a free session with Stevie V Brown today.
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