The potential of social networks for business
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 7:07 am
There are many opinions about social media. Some remain skeptical about its usefulness, others make the most of its potential to boost their professional and/or personal opportunities, and there are still those who use it excessively, abusively and incorrectly. Social media is nothing more than a communication channel that we can maximize to reach any corner of the world for free, quickly and effectively, if used well.
The trend is to increasingly move towards a digital environment, where information is transparent and the consequences that result must be accepted and faced head on. Skeptics argue that social networks expose people and/or companies too much, that they go beyond what is institutionally correct and that, in the case of companies, they leave their doors wide open to the world, which leaves them exposed to their competitors. Those who are not receptive to this channel have not yet understood that this is not what will reveal the secret or the soul of the business. They have not yet felt how much they can profit from this communication channel that, at no cost, can put them on the other side of the world, helping to boost the business. Social networks are a communication channel that challenges what has been done traditionally and perhaps this is what “scares” people, that is, the fact that they lose the supposed control of their business, when in fact this is not what happens.
We are frightened by entrepreneurs who do not want to face market trends and changes head on and who, just like they did 30 years ago, continue to have exactly the same unvisionary mentality, limited to their backyard, which is Portugal. How can we grow a business if we do not communicate it, if we do not make it known to the world? Nowadays, word of mouth is all about typing, keeping up to date with market innovations, and having the information we need just a click away.
Let's focus on the positive side of social media and make the most of its potential. We are unconditional fans of this communication channel, not only for the reasons mentioned above, but mainly because it has allowed us to get closer to people who make sense and bring added value to our daily lives .
Speaking of the ones we are biggest fans of – Facebook and LinkedIn – we have some clear differences. While LinkedIn is geared towards purely professional, serious thailand number for whatsapp and corporate networking, Facebook manages to offer a mix of the relaxed institutional and the personal. Facebook brings people together virtually, allowing us to directly and practically identify with certain people’s profiles and, from a distance, gain a clear understanding of the person and their attitude towards life. Obviously, sharing experiences, tastes, views and opinions will make us identify more or less with a certain person, which is why we have the concept of profiles, fans and followers. Using Facebook in a serious and at the same time cool way is a challenge that not everyone understands , because when they post certain situations, make certain comments or defend actions, they are exposing and showing the world who they really are. Therefore, it is very important that we write clearly, correctly and coherently so that there are no false value judgments and misinterpretations. Being able to take advantage of social media both personally and professionally means achieving the potential that this communication channel has.
During our journey, social networks make it easier to reach people we haven't had contact with for a long time or people we need to get closer to on a professional level. Is it possible to start a business through social networks? Yes, without a doubt! We have several practical cases where the business started precisely through Facebook. And this both at a national and international level. In what ways? Here are some examples:
From friends who shared something about OUTMarketing and made us reach a network of people we hadn't reached yet and, consequently, someone in that network was looking for what we offer
We needed information on strategy and business in other markets and we needed them to share with us their experience and the challenges we might encounter abroad.
We focus on our target audience, searching for and connecting them, making them part of our network and having access to the information we share and that we know makes sense for their business. And, thus, increasing their interest in contacting us to hear more about what we do.
We strengthen some contacts through the bilateral sharing of information and naturally creating empathy, triggering a virtual rapprochement and identification
Social media has proven to be a fantastic phenomenon that brings humanity closer together, making people more alert and aware of what is happening in the world, making us more aware of reality and touching us more on the emotional side, on the side of the heart. Certainly, two people who are connected virtually, by following each other's path and identifying with each other's profile, when they meet in person, the ice will have long since broken and the conversation will flow much more consistently, which can trigger, in business terms, greater security, trust and comfort . After all, both people have had access to each other's information in a transparent way and, initially, very naturally, without being invasive.
Investing time every day in social media is taking another step forward. It means having access to world news, innovation, the market, and what the world is doing differently. It means seeing different points of view, different ways of thinking, and different cultures. Ultimately, it means growing together!
The trend is to increasingly move towards a digital environment, where information is transparent and the consequences that result must be accepted and faced head on. Skeptics argue that social networks expose people and/or companies too much, that they go beyond what is institutionally correct and that, in the case of companies, they leave their doors wide open to the world, which leaves them exposed to their competitors. Those who are not receptive to this channel have not yet understood that this is not what will reveal the secret or the soul of the business. They have not yet felt how much they can profit from this communication channel that, at no cost, can put them on the other side of the world, helping to boost the business. Social networks are a communication channel that challenges what has been done traditionally and perhaps this is what “scares” people, that is, the fact that they lose the supposed control of their business, when in fact this is not what happens.
We are frightened by entrepreneurs who do not want to face market trends and changes head on and who, just like they did 30 years ago, continue to have exactly the same unvisionary mentality, limited to their backyard, which is Portugal. How can we grow a business if we do not communicate it, if we do not make it known to the world? Nowadays, word of mouth is all about typing, keeping up to date with market innovations, and having the information we need just a click away.
Let's focus on the positive side of social media and make the most of its potential. We are unconditional fans of this communication channel, not only for the reasons mentioned above, but mainly because it has allowed us to get closer to people who make sense and bring added value to our daily lives .
Speaking of the ones we are biggest fans of – Facebook and LinkedIn – we have some clear differences. While LinkedIn is geared towards purely professional, serious thailand number for whatsapp and corporate networking, Facebook manages to offer a mix of the relaxed institutional and the personal. Facebook brings people together virtually, allowing us to directly and practically identify with certain people’s profiles and, from a distance, gain a clear understanding of the person and their attitude towards life. Obviously, sharing experiences, tastes, views and opinions will make us identify more or less with a certain person, which is why we have the concept of profiles, fans and followers. Using Facebook in a serious and at the same time cool way is a challenge that not everyone understands , because when they post certain situations, make certain comments or defend actions, they are exposing and showing the world who they really are. Therefore, it is very important that we write clearly, correctly and coherently so that there are no false value judgments and misinterpretations. Being able to take advantage of social media both personally and professionally means achieving the potential that this communication channel has.
During our journey, social networks make it easier to reach people we haven't had contact with for a long time or people we need to get closer to on a professional level. Is it possible to start a business through social networks? Yes, without a doubt! We have several practical cases where the business started precisely through Facebook. And this both at a national and international level. In what ways? Here are some examples:
From friends who shared something about OUTMarketing and made us reach a network of people we hadn't reached yet and, consequently, someone in that network was looking for what we offer
We needed information on strategy and business in other markets and we needed them to share with us their experience and the challenges we might encounter abroad.
We focus on our target audience, searching for and connecting them, making them part of our network and having access to the information we share and that we know makes sense for their business. And, thus, increasing their interest in contacting us to hear more about what we do.
We strengthen some contacts through the bilateral sharing of information and naturally creating empathy, triggering a virtual rapprochement and identification
Social media has proven to be a fantastic phenomenon that brings humanity closer together, making people more alert and aware of what is happening in the world, making us more aware of reality and touching us more on the emotional side, on the side of the heart. Certainly, two people who are connected virtually, by following each other's path and identifying with each other's profile, when they meet in person, the ice will have long since broken and the conversation will flow much more consistently, which can trigger, in business terms, greater security, trust and comfort . After all, both people have had access to each other's information in a transparent way and, initially, very naturally, without being invasive.
Investing time every day in social media is taking another step forward. It means having access to world news, innovation, the market, and what the world is doing differently. It means seeing different points of view, different ways of thinking, and different cultures. Ultimately, it means growing together!