The technology has changed the way of marketing and the world of marketing has taken a shift from traditional marketing to digital marketing, and social media marketing in particular. Smartphone users have increased and businesses have started targeting ads in social media. In this article, we will discuss the evolution of social media marketing over the years. So, let’s get started.
Although most social media seems like a new trend today, these platforms are the outcome of many years of planning and development. So, when did social media marketing begin? Lasting from 1997[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”When did social media marketing begin?” answer-0=”Lasting from 1997 to the early 2000s, most can agree that the first social media website ever created was called Six Degrees. By using Six Degrees back then, you could socialize and communicate with anyone who created a profile. ” image-0=”” headline-1=”h2″ question-1=”How social media marketing has evolved? ” answer-1=”During the same time, a man named Justin Hall was busy creating the first blogging website. This service allowed the social media world to take a huge jump forward. It’s thought that blogging websites led many people to find new ways via the virtual world. ” image-1=”” headline-2=”h2″ question-2=”Why social media is good for marketing? ” answer-2=”Social media is like a town-hall, it’s a place to catch up with family or friends, share stories, discuss latest news or even educate yourself. People don’t like to be handed a pamphlet with your sales pitch on it. They want to discuss and engage in things that are relevant to them. It’s a chance for brands to get in touch with these prospects that are coming through their pipeline. ” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”false” css_class=””] to the early 2000s, most can agree that the first social media website ever created was called Six Degrees. By using Six Degrees back then, you could socialize and communicate with anyone who created a profile.
How social media marketing has evolved?
During the same time, a man named Justin Hall was busy creating the first blogging website. This service allowed the social media world to take a huge jump forward. It’s thought that blogging websites led many people to find new ways via the virtual world.
But the internet wasn’t all fun and games. In 2003, a website called LinkedIn was launched which allowed job seekers to post their CVs and employers to post job offerings. This contributed greatly to the diversity of the internet and is an ongoing service until today.
In 2004, Mark Zuckerburg and his roommate created what would be the world’s most popular and most visited social media website. It has nearly 1.7 billion users worldwide today. It took 38 years for radio to have 50 million users, TV took 13, the internet took 4 years while Facebook took less than 3. Facebook greatly influenced significant aspects of business and marketing.
On came Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat etc. over the years that helped not only in socializing, but also in creating opportunities for brands to expand their audience, offer their products and services, and get their message out in a more friendly way.
Google totally changed the way people found products and services, and by the year 2000, they were leading the way in search based advertising. Now, people are people realizing that social media can help people connect with products and services in a much more meaningful way. 80% of customers trust online peer recommendations delivered by nearly 6 billion search queries per day.
Why social media is good for marketing?
Social media is like a town-hall, it’s a place to catch up with family or friends, share stories, discuss latest news or even educate yourself. People don’t like to be handed a pamphlet with your sales pitch on it. They want to discuss and engage in things that are relevant to them. It’s a chance for brands to get in touch with these prospects that are coming through their pipeline.
Today, there is more social listening and more social engagement. Social media marketing paved the way for companies and brands to interact with customers/ potential customers in a more natural way. This is typically done on Facebook or LinkedIn or Twitter but can also be done on smaller, niche sites built around community.
Social media marketing is also important for the other end of the spectrum which is the customer relation side of things, whether that’s support or turning your most loyal customers into brand advocates.
Bottom line
If there’s one thing to remember with social media marketing is to be yourself. People don’t want to engage with just a logo, they want to engage with a human. So, be natural and be social.
