In 2022, the way we consume information will be very different to what it is today. Thanks to the pandemic, a lot of time was wasted on digital detox and people were unable to get to the outlets and sources of information they really wanted. Now that we are slowly coming back, marketing and communications departments around the world are struggling to figure out how to get their clients and customers back. For those of you who still don’t know, marketing through social media was the focus of the last year, and it’s still very much a focus in the upcoming years. In this article, we will focus on how you can use social media to market your product or service.
Why Social Media?
Let’s face it, being connected to friends and family online is a lot more convenient. We can easily stay in touch through social media, and if we want to find out about the world around us, we can always turn to our digital networks for advice and tips. According to a HubSpot Blog article, between January and April 2022, the average American spent more than 6 hours per day on digital media, with 61% using social media sites.
The important thing to note here is that social media sites such as TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp have become mega-popular in the last year, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only do they offer a space for users to connect with others, but the platforms also allow marketers to experiment with new forms of engagement and measurement. For example, you can track the views of a specific video or post, or see how many people are interacting with your brand through social media platforms (e.g. Liking a photo or commenting on a blog post).
What Is Digital Detox?
In previous years, the world was going through what’s been described as a “digital detox.” Thanks to the pandemic and the need to protect ourselves from infection, a lot of time was spent offline. However, even before the pandemic, people were spending more time outdoors, connecting with nature, hiking, and spending quality time with their family. Instead of heading to the computer or mobile device to socialize, people were trying to replicate what they know as the ‘real world.’
As a result, we saw a rise in people seeking alternative treatments for ailments. Traditional drugs were either unavailable or too costly, and complementary therapies such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements were all the rage. With a surge in interest in naturopathy, people were seeking out treatments that could benefit from natural products.
How Can Social Media Help Market My Product?
If we compare marketing through social media to traditional methods of advertising, we can see a number of advantages. To start with, there is a much wider reach. Thanks to the internet and the explosion of social media platforms, you can target a large audience, which in turn, can help fuel your product’s growth. For example, you can set up multiple accounts on social media platforms such as Twitter, and use specific hashtags to connect with people in your target audience. You can also use these platforms to keep in touch with previous clients or customers and remind them of your existence.
Another important point to make is that the metrics for marketing through social media are a lot easier to track and analyze. You can see the amount of engagement you’re getting on social media and determine whether or not this is leading to a purchase. If someone is consistently sharing or retweeting your content, this could mean that they’re interested in what you’re offering and want to learn more. You can then follow up with a lead generation session, where you can speak with them about your products and services.
One of the most prominent benefits of marketing through social media lies in its flexibility. As a digital marketer, you should have no problem adapting to new platforms and evolving with the times. For example, if you’re currently using Instagram, you can easily replicate your content to TikTok, with only minor adjustments, to take advantage of its unique features.
It’s also worth noting that there are a number of free tools available that can help you integrate social media into your marketing strategy. Some of the more prominent ones are; Hootsuite, Buffer, and Twitter. You can get started with these platforms quickly and easily and gain an understanding of how they work. From there, you can adapt and build upon your strategy to suit your unique needs and goals.
What Is The Digital Detox Effect?
Before we go any further, it’s important to point out that the “digital detox” isn’t a singular event, but an ongoing trend that is likely to continue well into the future. Thanks to new health concerns and the fear of being left behind by technology, people are seeking out ways to slow down and reconnect with nature. This is evident in a growing interest in alternative medicine, as well as people taking up hobbies such as arts and crafts and spending more time with friends and family. In the coming months and years, we’re likely to see more people wanting to take a break from their busy schedules and spend more time in nature.
While the desire to ‘unplug’ is understandable and many would argue that it is healthy, it is still essential to keep in touch with the world around us. The internet and social media allow us to do this in a way that wasn’t previously possible, and as a result, we can gain a better understanding of what is happening beyond our shores. It’s also critical to continue expanding our social networks and connecting with people who can help us find our way. As the world becomes more digital, it is important to have the ability to blend in and be a part of this world, rather than feel outside of it.