From day one, brands with strong offline presences looked at social media marketing with critical eyes. They claimed that platforms like Facebook and Twitter offered smoke and mirror results which were both a waste of time and money. A lot of these reactions are based on fear.
Studies show that social media influences offline transactions just as much as online transactions. With so much research and innovation surrounding the emergence of social channels, consumers have adapted to these platforms and that they use these networks in varying ways.
A study from Version Critical showed that 26% of people engage in ‘showrooming’, which is the act of viewing products in stores but buying them online. 41% of consumers, however, do the exact opposite (they browse products online and visit a brick and mortar retail store to buy the product). This is what is called as “reverse showrooming”.
Reverse showrooming shows just how important it is to have your products on social media platforms. People spend so much time behind their desktop computers and browsing on their phones that brands simply can’t rely on in-store activations to reach critical masses.
Not only can social media help you showcase your products, but it can also help you form relationships with your target audience. If you need help with your social media marketing strategy, then http://www.wsioms.co.za/contact-us contact WSI OMS today.