There are a lot of things that have changed in the modern business world over the last decade or so. One of the most significant of these is, of course, the development of the internet and, in particular, social media. A lot of people seem to have been under the impression that social media was something kind of fad or face that would eventually just fade away. Of course, we're well over a decade past the creation of both Facebook and Twitter, and there's no sign of that happening anytime soon. Because of this, you simply can't ignore social media as a tool for your business. With that in mind, here are some ways that you could be using it just a little more effectively.

Share content

One of the biggest developments in the internet age is the rise of content as a marketing tool. People respond to content far better than traditional advertising so using your social media accounts to share content is a fantastic way to engage with customers more effectively. The amazing thing is that it doesn't necessarily need to be your content. Using your social media accounts to provide customers with all kinds of different content is a fantastic way to create a connection in their minds. There are plenty of content distribution tools available that can make that whole process much easier. Embracing content is a sign to customers that your business understands how to engage with them in the 21st Century. 

Connect directly with customers

Of course, it's not just a matter of giving customers media and content to consume; you should also make sure not to forget the "social" part of social media. One of social media's greatest strengths is the fact that it gives you the chance to talk to and connect with customers much more directly than ever before. You can talk to them as individuals; you can make jokes. This kind of engagement has been proven to work time and time again by many of the best and most successful corporate Twitter accounts, many of which rarely even post marketing materials, they simply use the platform as a place to have fun with their customers.

Offer customer service

You can also use social media as an extra element of your customer service. Sites like Twitter allow customers to get in touch with you about any issue that they may have and then you can respond almost instantly. The great thing about using social media for this is that it's public. So not only are you able to help a customer but you're able to do so in a way that allows others to see what you're doing. That way your customer service can also double as a marketing opportunity.

Sure, social media obviously isn't the only thing that you should be concerned about in your business, but it's simply too useful a tool for you to ignore. Make sure that you're putting in the right amount of effort to making sure that your business's social media presence is as well curated as possible.