If you are not too savvy when it comes to digital marketing, trying to implement it as part of your business’ marketing strategy can be tough. As there are so many digital marketing strategies out there to choose from, such as PPC marketing and email marketing, trying to get the hang of things can easily overwhelm you.
You may have stumbled across the terms “social media marketing” and “social media advertising,” which might sound like the same thing but actually are not. While their aims are similar, social media marketing and social media advertising are two different ways to leverage social media platforms for marketing purposes.
If you are interested in what they are and how they can help your business, the information below can serve as your introductory guide:
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing is all about calling attention to your business activities on social media platforms. This can include anything from posting content to commenting on it.
Social media marketing starts with you creating a business profile on a social media platform, such as Instagram, Facebook, or even LinkedIn. Your choice of platform will depend on your industry, as some platforms will be more effective than others. From there, start participating in the platform by commenting, liking, and sharing other people’s content and posting and sharing your own
That way, you can engage with other people and encourage others to engage with you. This engagement makes social media marketing integral to many companies’ digital marketing strategy, as it boosts click-through rates, sales, and much more.
Social Media Advertising
Social media advertising involves running ads that are usually paid for on social media platforms. There are many types of ads that you can use, from banner ads to video ads, all of which are displayed on the platform at targeted individuals.
To use social media advertising, all you need to do is have a business profile on a relevant social media platform and pump out different advertisements. For example, you can create content to introduce a brand-new product or share an ongoing sale. You have to pay for these ads, as they let you reach audiences outside your follower or subscriber list. This is often paired with targeting to produce the best results, effectively giving you a strategy that provides a high return of investment.
The main difference
Social media marketing, in summary, helps you build a community, all thanks to the engagement it generates. It slowly fosters relationships with current and potential customers, bringing them in to trust your business and gradually converting them into regular customers. On the other hand, social media advertising instantly puts your brand at the forefront of your chosen platform.
Both strategies help you build a name and grow your customer base, but social media marketing is slow, while social media advertising tends to be more fast-paced. It is this speed that you pay for with the latter, and it is what lets you enjoy quick returns on your investment.
Conclusion
With that said, which one should you pick? We say both! With the help of social media marketing to build trust among your customers and social media advertising to build your customer base, you can create a strategy that can reach people organically and with paid methods. The balance between the two lets you enjoy the best of both worlds, bringing you plenty of sales and opportunities for growth.
Are you looking for digital marketing in Calgary to help with your social media marketing strategy? Kingz Marketing is a digital marketing company offering different services, from content creation to social media management. Get in touch with us today!