Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be powerful tools for small businesses. With the right strategy, these platforms can help small business owners reach more customers, increase brand recognition, and build relationships with their target audience.
Recently, both Facebook and Instagram have announced some major changes that could potentially have an effect on how small businesses use these platforms to market themselves.
At Focused Growth®, we pride ourselves on keeping our finger on the pulse of industry trends and using that knowledge to help our clients succeed. We make sure to stay current with changes in technology and shifting customer behaviours so that our strategies are always the most effective.
Let’s take a closer look at what kind of impact these recent changes to Facebook and Instagram will have for business.
What Has Changed?
Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) is rolling out a new paid verification subscription service called Meta Verified.
For $A17.45 a month on the web and $A21.80 a month on iOS, users on these platforms will be able to submit their government ID and get a blue verification badge. This service aims to increase authenticity and security across these platforms and will also include proactive monitoring for account impersonation.
At this time only individual profiles are eligible for Meta Verified, with business accounts not eligible. To qualify, users must:
- Be at least 18 years old,
- Meet minimum account activity requirements such as prior posting history, and
- Submit a government ID that matches their profile name and photo
What Does it Mean for Business
On Facebook and Instagram, verified accounts add an extra layer of trust and reliability to users engaging with businesses on these platforms. Not only can verified accounts keep counterfeit products or services at bay, but they also help customers feel safer by confirming that a particular business is accordingly authorised. As per the newest update from Facebook. The verified badge for now is intended for individual and notable pages.
With the rise of social media, businesses have to think creatively about how they are going to reach potential customers. One way to do this is by taking advantage of the new paid subscription features that Facebook and Instagram have recently rolled out. If handled properly these new features can be effectively leveraged to positively impact your business.
Improve Visibility
Small businesses can use paid subscription Facebook and Instagram users to create a greater presence for their brand.
It is possible to reach extremely targeted demographic segments through the use of demographic targeting features, allowing businesses to focus their message for the best results.
Offering incentives like discounts or exclusive content can be an effective way to incentivise larger followings on these platforms and reach exactly the type of audience you want.
Shift Focus to Quality Content Creation
With this new paid subscription model, it’s important for small businesses to shift their focus away from quantity to quality when it comes to content creation.
Since users must now pay in order to access Facebook and Instagram, they will be expecting higher-quality content from brands they follow. This means that small business owners should focus on creating content that resonates with their target audience and adds value instead of trying to churn out as much as possible.
Reach New Audiences
The introduction of a paid subscription model opens up new opportunities for small businesses to reach audiences they may not have been able to before due to budget constraints or lack of access.
Now, small businesses can use targeted ads on both Facebook and Instagram in order to reach potential customers outside of their current network or geographic area with relative ease and affordability. This gives them the chance to expand their customer base much faster than before which can lead to increased revenue and overall brand recognition.
Better Insights into Customer Behaviour
Another major benefit of dealing with a user base of paid subscriptions is that it provides small business owners with better insights into customer behaviour. By tracking verified subscribers’ viewing habits, companies can see which posts are resonating with their audience and tailor future posts accordingly. This can help companies improve their strategies over time and ensure that they are reaching as many potential customers as possible.
The introduction of paid subscription users on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram presents a powerful opportunity for small businesses.
Paid subscription users give businesses the potential to increase visibility, drive engagement and reach new audiences. Furthermore, they can shift their focus towards creating quality content while gaining insight into customers behaviour via analytics tools. With these benefits in tow, small businesses can leverage the power of digital marketing smarter and more efficiently than ever before.
When it comes to Digital Marketing, here at Focused Growth® we stay ahead of the curve. As a leader in the industry, we are constantly monitoring technological trends and updates to ensure our clients are reaping all the benefits that current advancements have to offer.
Our team can help you maximise the reach of your business through Facebook and Instagram, utilising the paid subscription user base for maximum visibility. With years of experience in this domain and a market-leading approach to digital advertising, you can be confident that we offer an unparalleled level of service tailored to the specific needs of your business.
For any of your Facebook and Instagram Advertising needs, why not contact us today?