The Benefits of Social Media Bots for Business

Chatbots (or “bots”) have been the subject of much conversation in the technology and business world for the past several years. In fact, some experts believe that chatbots where the web was two decades ago in that they are poised for the same level of critical importance and growth in the coming years. Also of note is the fact that (according to recent studies) the vast majority of users who have interacted with chatbots on various social media platforms saw the experience as a positive one.

So What Are Social Media Bots, Exactly?

Chatbots are software programs that, to the outside world, seem like a human user. Chatbots are built to initiate and manage online chat communications by picking out words or phrases to detect meaning and deliver relevant answers, information, and guidance.

For social media use, chatbots can greet visitors and drive one-to-one interactions that drive real engagement and an elevated customer experience. As any social media marketing manager know, staying engaged with your brand’s social followers is critical to the success of your social media marketing strategy. If your brand cannot be attentive to your visitors when they want to engage, you could be putting that business at risk. Fortunately, chatbots can eliminate that concern.

Chatbots Represent the Future of Customer Interactions

The power of chatbots is in the level of service they can offer your social media followers, including:

Persistent Availability

Consumers today expect to be able to engage with their brands any time they choose to, even after hours. Fortunately, chatbots are available on a 24/7 basis to greet your visitors and engage them in a one-to-one, personalized chat.

Immediate Access

Consumers now also expect to not have to wait in a queue to be serviced. Chatbots eliminate this concern by offering instant availability. And unlike humans, a single chatbot can manage multiple online chat interactions simultaneously.

Data Collection

One of the most powerful features of chatbots is in their ability to capture the relevant data from all of its interactions. This information can be aggregated and analyzed in order to refine your chat interactions and overall marketing programs moving forward.

Cost-Effective

Finally, chatbots provide all of this additional marketing bandwidth without the need to hire and train new employees to manage customer service interactions.

Chatbots Will Optimize Your Social Media Marketing Efforts

Social media began as a minor tool for marketing a brand, but it has developed over the years into a powerful channel for marketing teams. Well-designed chatbots can complement the social media marketing mix, driving more web traffic and increasing sales, as chatbots bring users to the appropriate business vertical.

Are you interested in exploring chatbots for your social media marketing effort? Contact us to discuss.