We’re a long way away from the days of Myspace. What once seemed like just another internet fad in a parade of short-lived platforms has practically dominated the entire web. Social media is bigger, broader, and more diverse than ever before. In many ways, it represents the “urbanisation” of the web — a shift away from the sparsely connected world of individual web pages and towards larger digital communities.
In the nearly 20 years since Facebook first launched its original version, social media has taken the world by storm. This trend has been an incredible boon for businesses, too, opening a new avenue for paid advertising and organic marketing. Today, social media marketing (or SMM) is an integral part of many online business strategies.
Will it always be that way? Is social media the future of the entire digital marketing space? We should consider why it has become so entrenched so quickly to answer that question.
Why is Social Media Such a Powerful Force in Marketing?
The appeal of social media is the way it enables connections with others. There’s always a conversation going on somewhere. New content comes across your feed all the time. There’s a social buzz that never stops, so you can jump in or out at any time — and it’s all founded on the concept of sharing and communicating with others. “Going viral” on social media isn’t a rare feat like it once was — it’s a daily occurrence, with or without an internet marketing company involved. Now, we just call it trending.
Social media also provides an insight into the latest trends and hot topics, including up-and-coming trends that haven’t yet made it to the mainstream. This combination of deep social insight is an easily leveraged way to encourage users to share branded content and is an excellent resource for a business.
Even small businesses can punch above their weight with social media and break out with viral content. Many new brands start on social platforms, building a small and fervent following that serves as a base for growth. The same things that make social media a potent force for bigger businesses are available to smaller companies and individual entrepreneurs. There are many possibilities, whether that’s targeted advertising, working with influencers, or gaining traction organically.
So, does this mean social media will soon replace other marketing streams? It’s not likely, or at least not yet. We do still have online lives outside of these platforms, after all. Older marketing streams, including email outreach, search engine marketing, and others, still have their value — also, they can often tie back into your social campaigns.
How Your Business Can Take Advantage of Social Media Today
Social media is a powerful tool that businesses today can’t afford to ignore. Going forward, it clearly has an impressively substantial role to play in the effectiveness of modern marketing campaigns. From Instagram and YouTube to Facebook and TikTok, these platforms offer one of the most direct lines possible to your target audience.
At Digital Lion, a digital marketing agency in Calgary, we help our clients craft innovative SMM strategies to target motivated users across platforms. Learn more about how we can help you tap into this opportunity starting today.
Calgary-headquartered Digital Lion, with secondary locations in Edmonton and Ottawa, is a digital marketing and design agency built with a purpose and passion to partner with its clients and provide first-class Web Development, Graphic Design, Logo Design and Online Marketing services. We work with clients across Canada, as well as worldwide, and are focused on being environmentally friendly and giving back to charities that we are passionate about. Our mission is to “Design a Better World®.” Browse our website, follow our social media channels, and contact us anytime for more information on how we can customize a package that meets your needs and suits your style.
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