Why Social Media Marketing is Valuable

In my social media principles class, we recently moved on to a new book entitled, Social Media Marketing Workbook 2016 by Jason McDonald. This book is to inform about social media marketing, and give helpful hints and steps to succeed in this. It also includes step-by-step worksheets, and access to the companion with hundreds of free tools. In the introduction of Social Media Marketing Workbook 2016, McDonald highlights four key reasons that make social media marketing valuable. 

1. Social media is big. 

• Facebook- over one million users worldwide and climbing
• LinkedIn- over 350 million members 
• YouTube- 300 hours of video are uploaded every minute 
• Yelp or Google+ - nearly everyone goes here to check out reviews on local businesses

2. Your customers are on social media.

• Facebook- all ages from teenagers to grandmas, business executives to flight attendants 
• LinkedIn- most professionals are members
• Instagram- many members posting pictures 

"By participating in social media, you can reach your customers where they hang out." 

3. Social media is free.

• Access to their friends and family
• Information on brands the users love
• A lot of free ways to build a personal brand 
• "Get shares" or "Go viral". 

"Free does not mean easy or no hard work involved."

4. Social media can reach not only existing but also new customers.

• Stay in touch with existing customers
• Be discovered by new customers

Social media is a huge help with the marketing world. It is easy access to current and potential customers. By simply sharing a post or checking their news feed, customers can discover new industries. I am excited to read more about social media marketing, and will be sharing more tips!