SMM vs SMA: Which Is Better?

Social Media marketing (SMM) and social media advertising (SMA) are often used interchangeably. This could be due to the similarities in their names and functionalities. Does that mean they are the same? 

While SMA is the promotion and sale of products and services on social media using paid ads, SMM involves goods and services promotion through quality content creation. Although they are both means of business promotion, we can see that they are not necessarily the same in their application. 

In this article, we\’ll be discussing everything you need to know about social media marketing and social media advertising and help you figure out which is best for your business.

Understanding Social Media Marketing and Social Media Advertising

Social Media Marketing

SMM is the so-called organic advertising. It is the type of marketing done on a social media platform through content creation relevant to the target audience. It includes social media online profiles, and every activity to retain their presence from posting to liking, commenting, sharing, etc. 

Social media marketing is the best way to naturally connect with a larger audience and build a lasting business relationship. You know how building trust in relationships takes time, it\’s the same for SMM.

Through content creation and other online activities on different social media platforms, you build loyal followers of your brand and what it represents. This content comes in the form of blog posts, videos, infographics, etc.

Social Media Advertising

SMA is the paid ad. It is a type of marketing where companies and brands promote their products and services inorganically. In this case, users pay for their products or services to be at the forefront of their target audience. 

SMA is best used to communicate and sell to customers who are already in need and asking for your products or services. It is cost effective and it largely increases brand awareness and conversion.

Another good thing about social media advertising is the fact that it allows for specificity. Users are allowed to target the exact demographics, interests, and behaviours they believe need their product.

Their activities involve the use of banner ads and native ads on different social media platforms. There are also cases of boosting posts or like campaigns.

Social Media advertising ads are often charged in pay-per-click (PPC) or cost-per-impression (CPI), therefore they are more expensive when compared to SMM.

Social Media Advertising

Which Is Better? SMM or SMA

There is no better way to promote a business. Your purpose of promoting your business will determine which of them is better for you.

If you are looking to reach a wider audience while building an effective brand, SMM should be your best option. Nonetheless, if you are interested in reaching people who are already interested in your business, then you should largely consider SMA.

Social media marketing agencies are largely employed to take up these services for brands, companies, individuals, etc, to bring their marketing goals to life. In developed areas like Sydney, the social media marketing agency Sydney is available to help your brand attain visibility and gain authority online.

Principles Guiding Effective Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing has guided principles that when judiciously followed will lead to the achievement of the desired goal.

Defined Goal:

In social media marketing, there\’s a need for a strategy on how to go about your content creation. You shouldn\’t post randomly, or put up anything that comes to your head.

Remember the goal is to become a thought leader so that people think about you when they need solutions your business provides. Quality content creation and use of content calendars are the best ways to bring this to reality.

The Act of Consistency:

This here, is the language of social media marketing. The idea of consistently showing up creates an impression in the mind of your audience that you can be trusted. However, it might be challenging to do everything yourself.

With the help of a social media marketing agency, you can always get the best assistance to keep your brand online.

Data and Analytics:

There\’s a need to measure the results of our different online activities. One good thing about social media marketing is that it exposes users to the sincere opinions of their target audience.

That\’s because social media marketing is not projected to sound salesy. People can give genuine and authentic information when they presume there are no strings attached.

Different software solutions are made available to track these responses and utilise them to create a better market for the audience. Analytical tools are used in websites to assess brand recognition, the effectiveness of different social media handles, and the strategies applied.

Principles for Effective Social Media Advertising

1. Defined goal: Before you run an ad, you should have a defined goal; what you hope to achieve at the end of the campaign. This will help you make the right choice of the social media handle(s) and the type of campaign that will give the desired result.
   
2. Understanding your target audience: Paid ads are meant to target a given set of the online population that is interested in your product or service. This includes their age, location, career, lifestyle, etc. A thorough research on your targeted audience will help create the right bio persona for your product or service.
3. Analytics and algorithm: Understanding analytics enables users to measure the result of their campaign, know the area that needs improvement, and restrategise for greater results. The algorithm gives insights into what works based on the activities of your audience.

Summary

Social Media marketing and social media advertising are different means of promoting businesses to reach our targeted audience.

While social media marketing is aimed at brand building and becoming an authority in our respective fields, social media advertising entails communicating with prospective buyers. 

Are you a business owner in Sydney? Getting a social media marketing agency can help you make the right choice for your business and grow your business exponentially.