In the wake of the pandemic, social media has become an increasingly important tool for both individuals and businesses to stay connected and informed. People have become more active on social media, which has had a major impact on the way buyers make decisions and a profound effect has been observed in the way people interact with each other and with businesses.

Data shows that there has been a significant increase in the amount of time people spend on social media since the pandemic hit. The Hammerkopf Consumer Survey found that social media usage, per user, used to be 150 minutes on average per day.  However, in the first week of lockdown, the figures jumped to 280 minutes per day. Now, there are 467 million social media users in India, according to the global digital insights platform DataReportal.

Increased social media activity has also made it easier for buyers to compare products and services, and to make informed decisions. As such, businesses should take advantage of the increased activity on social media to better understand their customers and to provide them with the best possible experience.

Social media influencing customer purchase

Post-pandemic, consumers are increasingly relying on social media platforms to research and purchase products, as well as to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. The influence of social media on customer purchase trends for lifestyle products has been immense. Social media influencers have become a powerful tool in the marketing toolbox, as they can reach a large audience in different niches with their endorsements and recommendations. Furthermore, customers are more likely to purchase products that have been positively reviewed by their peers on social media. As a result, social media has become a key factor in driving customer purchase trends for lifestyle products.

Social media has opened up a range of new opportunities for businesses to reach potential customers. For example, businesses can now use social media to target specific demographics or to launch new products and services. In addition, businesses can use social media to build relationships with customers, as well as to gain valuable insights into customer preferences.

Social media provides an avenue for retail brands to reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness. With the right strategies, retail brands can use social media to boost their marketing tactics and drive sales.

Building brand awareness through social media

The first step for retail brands is to create an effective social media presence. This includes creating accounts on the most popular social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Retail brands should post regularly on these accounts, providing relevant content that is engaging and informative. This content should be tailored to the interests of the target audience and should include both promotional posts and helpful tips. Additionally, retail brands should use social media to interact with customers, responding to comments and messages in a timely manner.

Retail brands should also consider investing in paid social media campaigns. Paid campaigns can be used to target specific audiences, allowing brands to reach more potential customers. Additionally, these campaigns can be used to promote special offers, such as discounts and free shipping. These campaigns can be used to increase brand visibility and drive more sales.

By utilizing social media, retail brands can boost their marketing tactics and drive more sales. Retail brands should create an effective social media presence, post regularly, and interact with customers. Additionally, brands should consider investing in paid social media campaigns to reach more potential customers and promote special offers. With the right strategies, retail brands can use social media to their advantage and increase brand awareness.

Customer engagement and Influencer marketing

Though social media has allowed retail brands to connect with their customers in a more personal way, physical stores are still an important part of the retail experience and are necessary for many customers. Physical stores provide customers with the opportunity to see, touch, and try on products, as well as get help from knowledgeable staff. In addition, physical stores provide a unique atmosphere that can't be replicated online. Therefore, it is important for retail brands to maintain a balance between their online and physical presence in order to provide the best customer experience.

Influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for brands to reach their target audiences. By leveraging the influence of popular social media personalities, brands can tap into a large and engaged audience to spread their message. With the rise of social media, influencer marketing has become an essential part of a brand’s marketing strategy.

The power of influencer marketing lies in its ability to reach a large, engaged audience. Influencers have a large following of people who trust their opinion and are more likely to purchase products they recommend. This allows brands to target their desired audience with a message that resonates. Brands can also use influencers to create content that is more authentic and engaging than traditional advertising.

In addition to reaching a large audience, influencer marketing allows brands to build relationships with their target audience. By engaging with influencers, brands can create a dialogue with their audience and build trust. This can help brands build a loyal cus­­­tomer base and increase brand awareness.

Overall, the increased activity on social media has had a major impact on the way buyers make decisions. It can be used to boost their brand marketing tactics, increase brand recall, and even influence consumer purchase decisions. By leveraging the power of social media, businesses can reach more potential customers, build relationships with them, and gain valuable insights into their preferences.