Understanding the Social Business Model

Businesses evolve over time. This is because of a very important reason. The customers businesses serve and aims to do business with are evolving as well. Over time what is important to a customer changes. In the 90s not many people are concerned about their information and privacy data being stolen and misused. The coming of social media in the 2000s brought this to the forefront so now, every customer ensures that the people they are dealing with have enough systems in place to keep their information secured.

Today the market is gearing towards a social business model. Thanks to social media, people now expect directory of non profit organizations  to be responsive and more accessible when they need something. Customers expect to get the full details of the products or the services they are getting before they become willing to pay for anything. A business who is unable to adapt to this new trend and emerging process model will soon become obsolete.

Transitioning to Social Media

Even traditional businesses from the simple ice cream shop at the corner to your local post office can all use something out of social media platforms. These websites allow companies and business big and small to interact with their customers. If your business is big enough you can hire a social media manager who you can train to manage your social media account, answer queries and serve as your representative online. You can also do this on your own once you are starting out and if your doing it right you will feel the results soon enough.

Dangers of overmarketing

One common mistake that businesses make online is when they use means of marketing that do not relate or play well with their audience. A fashion giant was once bashed for a culturally insensitive advertisement put out online. The customers are now paying attention to discriminating undertones so you must be careful in selecting means of how you want to convey a message about your brand. Customers will immediately feel if your brand is disconnected or insincere in what it is trying to market. It is therefore best to stick to concepts you truly believe in and do not venture too far in thinking about creative ways to   advertise. The simple ideas when delivered well and correctly can generate huge results as well.

Positive Brand Association

At the core  of the social business model is brand image. This dictates how positive or how negative people feel when they think about your brand. Today it’s not just limited to how good or bad your product is but it extends further to what your brand has contributed to the local community. In this case you may want to look at a list of nonprofit organization and consider supporting the cause that they relate to. At this part you need to make sure that the partnership you want to build with a charitable institution is genuine.

The social business model is on the rise. If you can ride that wave then your business is bound to stay for many more years.