The internet has changed many aspects of human life. If in the past it was only used to search for information, the internet is now like a world where someone can do anything, including selling. Not only large-scale sellers, SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) must also know the importance of the internet, especially social media. It's no wonder that social media marketing for SMEs is increasingly being driven by its application.
Main Reasons Social Media is Important for MSMEs and SMEs
The main reason why social media marketing for SMEs should be promoted is because the number of social media users in Indonesia is very large. Marketing agency We Are Social and social media management platform, Hootsuite, reported that as of January 2021, more than half of the country's population were active users of social media.
In more detail, the report states, out of 274.9 million Indonesians, 170 million of them are social media users. With penetration reaching 61.8%, this data shows a growth of 10 million active social media users or 6.3% from January 2020. The number is so fantastic and makes social media a promising 'market area'.
Tips for Implementing a Social Media Marketing Strategy
Optimize Use of Social Media
Currently, at least Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are performing well and can support the implementation of social media marketing. You just have to choose which social media platforms will be used actively to promote your products and business. The use of social media also needs to pay attention to the demographic data of the target audience you want to reach.
Some of the demographic data you need, including audience age, interaction and engagement from each social media used, the most popular social media from the target market, how long users spend on social media, what kind of content they like, and so on.
Prioritize Customer Needs with the Right Strategy
You need to think about strategies on social media and what kind of digital marketing strategies are suitable for products and consumer needs. It's useless for you to spend a lot of promotional costs to promote products that are not needed by the target market you want to reach.
Instead of focusing on profit, you as a business owner should prioritize providing solutions for consumer needs. The application of digital marketing concepts that provide solutions to consumers will clearly add value to your business in the eyes of consumers.
Social media marketing for SMEs and SMEs
In principle, you must be willing to do research and analysis to find out what is really happening in the community, which of their crucial needs have not been met, what trends are being liked by the community, and so on. If you already have the data, it will be much easier for you to implement the right social media marketing for your business development.
and don't just focus on the quality of the product they have, they can do it. The manufacturing quality of the product is very important, but if you can't provide the right solution to the customer, it will not give you higher bargaining power.
Collaborating with KOL and Influencers for Endorsement Programs
If you sell a special product and can only be used by certain circles, you can collaborate with a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) whose voice is heard by his followers. Why KOL? Because in the real world, KOLs are experts in certain fields or professions, so their opinions will definitely be heard and can be trusted.
Examples of KOLs who actively use social media include: doctors, child psychologists, and chefs. If the item is an educational toy for children, then the right KOL to promote it is a child psychologist.
It's different if your product turns out to be suitable for all circles, then you can work with influencers. The reason is because influencers are experienced in creating and developing entertainment content to increase the number of fans. Examples of products that can be promoted by influencers include: snacks, shoes, clothes, bags, perfumes, skincare, or accessories.
