Social Media for Financial Services Companies
The use of social media in financial services is often disputed. Some believe that social media does not hold the same value for business-to-business (B2B) brands as it does in the business-to-consumer (B2C) market.
This, however, is not the case.
While it may be true that B2C companies are often more successful on social media than B2B companies, there are still a multitude of various reasons why building a social media presence benefits a financial services company.
Take it from our Social Media Team at Digital Storyteller: “A marketing strategy without social media is like a margarita without tequila. No one wants that!”
In this article, we’re detailing the key benefits of using social media marketing for financial services companies.
1. Strengthen Existing Relationships
One of the greatest benefits for all businesses to developing a social media presence is to strengthen their existing client relationships.
This may refer to:
- Engaging with existing or past clients, or
- Nurturing relationships with contacts that have yet to become clients
Either way, social media networks provide a platform to maintain relationships.
Email marketing and consistent calls are of course another option to nurture relationships! These methods, however, have the potential to get irritating rather quickly.
While blasting your clients’ inboxes with emails may lead them to the dreaded unsubscribe button, they may not feel the need to take such drastic measures when their level of engagement is the casual viewing of sporadic Instagram posts.
Social media provides a relaxed addition to your existing client nurturing process while additionally providing a platform to develop new relationships.
2. Build Trust
In the same way that Google evaluates content for SEO purposes, viewers evaluate clients based on their authority and expertise. Developing a depth of content on social platforms provides potential clients an opportunity to review your level of expertise within your field.
Over time, existing clientele and prospective clients will likely begin to follow your accounts and engage with your content. Engagement with your content shows that you have a proven following and support system that trusts your business.
Read on to learn more about Instagram engagement.
3. Provide Customer Support
Social media has turned into an easy, new line of communication.
It has become common for consumers to utilize social media to gain support and answers from companies rather than going through their traditional customer service channels. Various social media platforms provide space where clients are comfortable and familiar.
It is easier for a client to tag, tweet, or comment on a company’s latest post than it is to sit on hold with the customer service line for hours trying to solicit help… No, thanks!
Companies love to see their favorite clients and prospects engaging with them on a personal level through social media. Brands that engage and respond to their clients on social media have overall higher customer satisfaction ratings.
It’s 2022, your clients are on social media—and your competitors are, too.
The truth of the matter is: Brands are expected to have a social presence.
Giving your clients an additional outlet to contact you offers them the support and guidance they’re looking for.
After all, your product or service already serves to solve a problem that they’re facing. Why not fix another one by making yourself more accessible?
4. Humanize Your Brand
In a sense, this goes along with the previously mentioned need for customer support. Making your brand available on social media is like positioning yourself as their friend. Social media platforms were created to connect friends and share experiences, so why can’t the same be the case with brands?!
Social platforms allow your brand to share a behind-the-scenes look at the people that make your brand what it is. For example, our co-founders, Andrew Marr and Amanda Rogers, each have their series of relevant videos that we share weekly.
Not only do these videos “share the secret sauce” behind our brand, but they also give our viewers insight into the faces behind the brand! Plus, who doesn’t love a chardonnay review!?
The same may also be the case with your brand. Finding a way to interact with your clients on an informal basis allows them to consider you a friend or peer. It creates a relationship of trust and mutual respect: Two things you definitely want in your client relationships.
5. Gain Insight
Lastly, being engaged on social media allows your brand to gain insight. Be it consumer or competitive insights, social media functions as a reporting platform.
The way that consumers engage with your social media account can tell you about their buying behavior, likes, dislikes, and needs.
Instagram, for example, has transitioned its functionality to operate similarly to a search engine for users. Tracking the views of your page, accounts reached, post likes, comments, shares, and saves can provide significant insight into how your brand is performing.
Read on for our article “What is Going on With the Instagram Algorithm!?”
Similar claims can be said about your competitors. One of the benefits of public social media accounts is that you can track insight into your competitors’ content. As they provide content for their followers, you have a front-row seat to see what they’re doing!
A Final Word
If your brand is already on social media, there are additional ways to ensure that you are optimizing your channels. This is particularly the case for financial services companies interacting on social media.
Check out this article for additional tips on the use of social media for financial services companies!
