[kat82]

The availability of social media channels has made lots of things easier especially when it comes to outreach and engagement. Back in the days, Skype used to the only social kind of communication where people would arrange business meetings (video) and using Skype as the connection tool.

Others used computer tools like Teamviewer application for PC to access each other’s computers remotely so as to be able to understand fully what one tried to mean. Also, there used to be lots of radio commercials, television commercials, banner branding on road sites and etc, which all seem to be vanishing day by day.

With sites like Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram and etc, it has almost become very easier for both companies and individuals to showcase all they got to followers who double as clients and also to communicate directly without the need to wait until one comes online and etc. The availability of such have made things move on a trend which is different from how things used to be in the past, and which make me wonder whether social media is worth.

While its so true that indeed social media has some power, one shouldn’t forget that there are also limitations which social media. For example, many governments are making it harder day by day for people to enjoy such sites for example I hear that in China, it is almost impossinle to acess whatsapp and Facebook and etc. In Dubai, you can’t use Whatsapp calls if not mistaken. In Uganda, you have to pay social media over the top or call it OTT tax if you want to access social media sites.

This makes me reach to a point where I ask whether social media will continue to rock in the coming years like it has been in the past when it comes to marketing. You can’t not market to people who have no such access and or to people who have been blocked. This has seen many businesses for example in Uganda resorting to the traditional marketing forms like newspapers ads, TV, Radios and etc since these are available for free for anyone.

In fact, visiting the different online shopping portals shows a boost in the listed products why? People who had deserted these eCommerce sites and concentrated fully on social media sales are coming back since social access is becoming limited day by day. I know this may not be happening in where you are but who knows? For different reasons, those in power are prohibiting people enjoy their free of speech which many have been doing through social media. I am sure you know what I am meaning - a simple post can go viral within a few seconds or minutes and which is hard to be controlled say if its an attack.

If you are planning to use social media for outreach or marketing, what if you think twice before you eventually fall for it? I personally can spend more than a full week without accessing social media why? Sometimes I reluctant to pay my social access tax and thus meaning that if there was something urgent posted via social media, maybe I would have missed it already? Do you think social media marketing is worth it?

[Fergal]

[Moving topic to appropriate forum section!]

[Netherrealmer]

Well Wendy's sales improve ever since they embraced the sassy smug persona on twitter.

[MysticMoons]

It can be useful. It's a way to get attention to your profile and site. But you have to do and say things that will grab people's attention. If you can do that, then yes it is useful. I only use social media to make money and to promote my sites.

[cmoneyspinner]

The answer to your question "Is social media marketing useful?" That answer is Yes.

Does social media reach every part of the world? NO. But neither did the television. The Dark Ages was not invented during the 21st century. People in power have been trying to keep other people in the dark for centuries. Whatever part of the world social media can help me to reach, I'll be satisfied with that.

[ceci]

Facebook marketing is useful tool in my country, most of the business are online and on Facebook nowadays. I am selling to my friends circle via Facebook too.

[nakitakona]

In the point of view of marketing, social media may be useful especially when you have so many followers in the said media. In my case for example, I have more than 15,000 friends and followers in the Facebook, it is easy for me to have a great organic traffic for my various blog sites.

[cmoneyspinner]

In the point of view of marketing, social media may be useful especially when you have so many followers in the said media. In my case for example, I have more than 15,000 friends and followers in the Facebook, it is easy for me to have a great organic traffic for my various blog sites.

I thought Facebook had a limit of 5,000. Unless your account is not personal. Do you have 15,000 friends and followers because your account is a business account? The reason I ask is because someone sent me a friend request and when I tried to accept Facebook blocked me and said this person had reached their friend limit and could not add any more. They were only at 5000.

[nakitakona]

@cmoneyspinner, it is fan page or an educators and ICT teacher/personnel in every school. I am the creator and I am the only admin. I share my posts there aside from a point-to-point discussions pertaining to ICT issues and school administration and supervision. By profession before, I was a school principal. Now I have retired for almost two years now.