Many consider how social media has changed business in the way they advertise and how they market themselves. There is much more to the topic though, as it changes many parts of business and affects several aspects. Today we are looking at how Asif Ali Gohar, who invented the vegan leather alternative from rice, about how social media changes business, beyond marketing and advertising.
Social media reaches millions of people every day, and offers a constant stream of information and ideas. There are social pressures and peer pressure that come with them, and each platform offers their own way of affecting the world. Some of the ways that social media affect business is through the reviews that are posted, customers and clients posting about their experiences to share with friend and family, and interactions with a business page, as well as people simply sharing their own lifestyles and encouraging others to try new ways to do things as well. Each of these affect business without being directly related to marketing or advertising.
Reviews are a key tool for those who are looking at trying a new brand or a new product. Many consumers will check reviews before buying almost anything, and social media offers many areas for people to post reviews. These can appear in their own feeds and be shared with friends and family, and they are not always on the business page so they aren’t seen by the business itself, leaving no space to address or correct any terms. This limits the way in which the business can interact, but will greatly affect the way that people reading the reviews will view the business.
People who have an experience with a product or a business that they like they will share positive experiences with their friends and family. When they have a negative reaction, they will share it with up to ten times as many people. By posting this on their social media it can reach many more people than it would if they only shared in person. It also opens the possibility that people who see it will share it and then all of their contacts will also see the posts.
Business pages are one of the ways that businesses use social media to interact with their customers. While they also can be used for advertising sales and new products, they are ideal for creating a relationship with customers and engaging with them in a direct way. This can create brand loyalty, address concerns, and learn what customers want in a way that no other platforms can. It allows for the business to appear more human than business, and puts a new way to feel heard and acknowledged for customers around the world.
How a business represents themselves on social media is an important consideration. It can build relationships or destroy them, and the reviews and comments from customers will help to form how other people view the business, even before interacting. It is key to keep a positive and supportive attitude on social media for it to move a business forward rather than holding it back.
