Times are interesting. Not that each calendar year hasn’t always had its own drama, but without a doubt, 2020 has brought some very unique curveballs that have impacted everything from buying behavior to political positions. That said, now more than ever, we have a chance to use social media to express a social stance among our audiences and potential customers. The question is, how do we navigate the waters in a transparent yet tactful way, particularly as a brand or business? Here, we share how you can do just that (or even outsource PR professionals like ourselves) to ensure you don’t miss this golden opportunity to advocate trust and encourage change.
Social media shows that your brand is consumer-conscious
Using social media to promote your products and services is a no-brainer. But, your efforts are only as successful as your products and services are useful. Obviously, you already know that when you utilize social media you want to engage audiences and showcase how your business benefits the end-user. But beyond that, you also have to compete with other professionals in the same industry.
You can set yourself apart by humanizing your brand more and sharing in the needs of the world present-day. Not only would you share posts that clearly showcase your understanding of what your customers desire and how your products deliver that, but beyond that, there is an even deeper need right now from consumers to understand who they are buying from. By participating online in social movements, you’re not just shedding light on a shared purpose to create change, but also gaining trust and traffic among the audiences that see your content.
This enhances the likelihood that when consumers choose to “vote with their dollar”, they opt for a brand or business that hasn’t remained silent but instead has carried on with business in a way that proves consumer-conscious and compassionate. Plus, since buying behavior is proven to be an emotional decision, now more than ever, creating content that is not just clever but also culturally relevant puts your platform well above competitors.
Likemindedness
Most business owners agree that, to a reasonable degree, the customer is always right. Obviously, this is in the sense that they understand people come from all different walks of life and that, for the most part, they wish to cater to as many customers as they can to fill a need. However, when it comes to social media, tensions can run high and consumers can say things (aptly named ‘keyboard confidence’) that they might not otherwise say in person at a brick and mortar location or in a 1-1 interaction with you or your staff.
Enter in one of the many benefits of sharing your social stances on social media - in a professional way, of course. One of two things happens. First and foremost, those who may not share the same beliefs or mission as your company will likely not bother to do business with you. Now, while this may seem counterintuitive to a business’ bottom line, the truth is that when you’re people-over-profit, you never have to stray from your brand’s true identity and you deter those who would either casually or inconsistently invest in your services.
On the other hand, those who agree with your professional and even personal stances are far more likely to make an initial purchase just from likemindedness alone and then stay loyal because of the similar taste you share in opinions and causes. What’s more, since birds of a feather flock together, you enhance the ratio that your new-found, die-hard customer hang on with others of the same mindset, and you’re sure to be the brand that is top of mind when they are spouting off recommendations to friends looking to buy or invest in services you offer.
Progressive with products and services.
We’ve hit the emotional and socioeconomic piece, but let’s just even discuss the logistics of technical support. When you’re using a social media platform to share your products and services, you want to showcase that your brand isn’t just “with the times” but also progressive in the ways it delivers such.
You can use social media as a way to take a social stance on how consumers can get what they want, the ways they want it. For instance, during this time especially, companies can use social media to share their e-Commerce stores and options for online buying, gift cards for later use, curbside pickups, and delivery of products. We live in a time now where convenience is key. So, it only makes sense that using social media to showcase the many ways consumers can access your offering. In fact, it can be the very reason a customer chooses you over a competitor. Even if they offer the same means, if they aren’t advertising it, the customer is none the wiser.
Above are just three of many ways making a social stance with your social media advocates trust in your consumers. But, we get it, where do you even begin? And with so much going on already in your business, how do you manage your social platforms and content calendars while still sharing your brand in an authentic, engaging, and relevant way? A Virtual Assistant is likely your answer! Here at Virtzilla, we have the expertise and time to research and create content on your behalf that honors what your brand is about while also catering to the needs and desires of the communities you serve. Contact us for a free consultation if you are interested in working with us! We would be honored to be of service!