Since the advent of social media in the year 2004, the world has shifted its behaviors with a growing diversification of consumer tastes and preferences. Due to the rapid growth of social media users, companies are forced to change their previous strategies. Thus, sales and marketing teams have had to shift their focus from traditional means of doing things to more unconventional and creative methods that are more effective in social media. Globalizing the operations of a company optimizes its productivity and presence in the market. Social media provides an efficient and effective mode of communication between people from various global regions. The efficiency and effectiveness in the flow of information are instrumental in the manner in which leaders and managers run the affairs of their organizations (Ramanathan, Subramanian & Parrott, 2017). This global aspect of social media connectivity can be damaging to a business organization and its products. One negative customer review can result in the loss of a significant measure of market share. The more complaints are shared on the online platforms, the more the company’s brand suffers. 

It is safe to say that no one can deny the importance of social media in our lives. In fact, post people are no longer just using social media; they are “addicted.” Social media isn’t just about surfing, making friends online, liking posts, and posting things privately. It is its own business, and it’s fair to postulate that social media marketing is not just giving all other forms of advertisements “hard competition” but has taken over as “the place to be” for all our marketing needs. Today, the majority of businesses are using social media for social selling. Some of you may not have heard the term social selling and may be wondering if this is a new trend. Social selling is no newbie. Continents such as Asia have been using social selling not only on a B2C but also on a B2B level to engage audiences and increase sales. Did you know that the concept behind social selling has been used by companies on a B2C and C2C level for years? 

Small- and medium-sized businesses often ponder if it is necessary to have a social media presence and whether services such as paid advertisements and influencer marketing will ever provide a return on investment. Many times, the things that seem new in marketing aren’t new but rather development of previous elements of marketing—for example, spokespersons. Spokespersons can be someone famous hired to increase the company’s image or brand. What are some key roles of influencers? Aren’t influencers a modern variation of spokespersons who are hired to present a company’s product and services or improve the brand awareness. 

Will social media be as effective as it is now in the next 20 to 30 years? 

What medium of marketing will be on the hype by 2030 and beyond? 

That is something that many marketers try to answer and predict. Marketers want to know if they are prepared for the changing demands of the digital world and how they can continue to deliver quality content to keep audiences engaged? Well, as a marketer, I try to stay on top of the trends and analyze the market. But no one can answer these questions accurately. Sure, social media goes hand in hand with technology. Without developments in the internet branch, social media would not have evolved at the pace that it has. During this pandemic, we have seen how powerful and relevant stable internet is for companies to operate during times or places where they are not able to offer face to face services. Many companies would not survive the pandemic if not for the internet and social media.

Since the relevance of technology will not diminish, social media will continue to play a vital role in the way businesses present their goods and services. As such it is inevitable that social media will remain the place to be.

I am excited to see the new developments. Are you?

Find Dr. Yasene on LinkedIn, Münzen-Medaillen-Frankfurt, and Epoxa: Online Auktion, Muenzauktion, Edelmetall-Auktion.