Social media are interactive computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation or sharing of information, ideas, career interests, and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. It simply means social media are platforms that allow individuals or an organization to share content about itself with the public in real-time in order to stay connected and build relationships and expand its network.
Social distancing, one of the preventive measures implemented by the World Health Organization to reduce the spread of the novel Coronavirus is characterized by maintaining a physical distance between people. This, method of prevention has however, has affected the way people interact with each other and with brands. Especially brick and mortar businesses that require physical interaction to operate. Hence, the reason some organizations had to shut down their office spaces, facilities, marts, malls in order to avoid close contact between its staff and customers. Some businesses did not let this setback deter their operations. While some businesses have adopted the technique of working virtually from home, some marts adopted contactless delivery to help contain the spread of the virus.
Stay Connected
The interaction between an organization with its customers should be a continuous conscious process irrespective of the circumstances created by either accident, natural disaster, or pandemics as the case is at the moment. The best way for an organization to stay relevant and top of mind of its customers or clients is via social media. Social media engagement will help organizations stay connected to their stakeholders at all times.
Social Media Platforms and Content
There are different types of social media platforms and the most popular ones used are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn amongst others. Facebook and Twitter are social networks that allow users to share thoughts, ideas, and other content; Instagram is a media network that allows its users to share content such as photos, videos, and infographics but with YouTube, users can only share videos.
How to Stay Top of Mind
Periodic Content Placement – An organization should ensure that there is a well-structured content calendar for every month to guide its social media handler on useful content that will be uploaded for the benefit of its customers. This will also help the organization keep interacting with its consumer and stakeholders at large on a regular basis.
Proactive Response – Whenever content is uploaded on an organization’s social media platform, the organization should expect that customers will ask questions or make comments related to the post and sometimes it might be an inquiry, the handler must at all times be ready to respond to the customer in good time.
Run Campaigns – Running campaigns that attract incentives on an organization’s social media platform will help increase engagement, followership, and conversation on the platform especially when there is a hashtag associated with the campaign.
Finally, the importance of social media engagement to an organization cannot be over be overemphasized. Now more than ever is the time for organizations to constantly stay connected to their customers as the normal way of engagement has been disrupted by the outbreak of COVID-19. If you need a social media strategy that will help you connect with your customers, contact us now.