What is a form of online publication that allows end users to engage in conversations related to the content on a website?

About social media


Social media is online communication that allows you to interact with your customers and share information in real time. You can use social media to:

  • reach your customers better
  • create online networks
  • sell and promote your products and services.

However, there is risk in using social media for your business. Tread carefully and learn both the pros and cons before you start.

Benefits of social media for business


Social media can help you engage with your customers and find out what people are saying about your business. You can also use social media for advertising, promotional giveaways and mobile applications.

Social media can help your business to:

  • attract customers, get customer feedback and build customer loyalty
  • increase your market reach, including international markets
  • do market research and reduce marketing costs
  • increase revenue by building customer networks and advertising
  • develop your brand
  • exchange ideas to improve the way you do business
  • recruit skilled staff, for example through job networking sites like LinkedIn
  • increase traffic to your website and improve its search engine ranking
  • keep an eye on your competitors.

Disadvantages of social media


Social media may not suit every business. If you launch your social media presence without planning, you could end up wasting valuable time and money.

Disadvantages of social media include:

  • needing additional resources to manage your online presence
  • social media is immediate and needs active daily monitoring
  • you may get unwanted or inappropriate behaviour on your social media site
  • the risk of getting negative feedback, information leaks or hacking
  • the risk of having false or misleading claims made on your social media (by your business or a customer). These claims can be subject to consumer law. For example, if a customer or fan posts misleading or deceptive information, particularly about competitor products or services, you might receive a fine.

To avoid the risks, have a social media strategy with policies and procedures in place before you start.

Learn more about social media and consumer law.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Find out more about online security.

Types of social media


Not all social media platforms will be right for your business. Save time and effort by choosing social media platforms that your target audience will use. Below is a brief guide to help you understand some of the options available.

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Social networking sites

Job networking sites

Blogs

Micro-blog

Video sharing sites

Podcasts and vodcasts

Social-news communities

Private social network services

Location-based services

Create your social media strategy


Doing the ground work before you start is critical to a successful social media presence. Develop your social media strategy to:

  • create compelling content
  • engage with your customers at the right time
  • generate sales.

A social media strategy describes how your business will use social media to achieve its communications aims. It also outlines the social platforms and tools you’ll use to achieve this.

Follow your strategy and don't overwhelm your customers with unnecessary posts. Remain focused on reaching your specific goals and tailor your messages around these.

Home Harmony - Digital case study

Home Harmony provides interior decorating and design services for domestic, commercial and retirement sectors. Government assistance helped Home Harmony improve their confidence and digital capabilities. Home Harmony developed a social media strategy and identified which digital platforms and tools would be best for their business. After implementing the suggested changes, they saw a 15-20% increase in business, gaining a new perspective about digital.

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