The Real Cost of Going Viral
There’s a common misconception floating around that social media marketing is free. All you need is a witty tweet, a hashtag, and a viral idea, right? Well, perhaps but also could be, wrong. While setting up an account doesn’t cost a dime, getting real results on social media takes a lot more than just clever quips and trending memes. So, let’s break down the true cost of “free” social media.
Myth: Social media marketing is a zero-cost, instant-success strategy.
Truth: Time, resources, and sometimes money are necessary to make social media work for your brand.
Sure, you can post daily without spending a cent on ads, but the time spent brainstorming, creating content, engaging with followers, and analyzing results adds up fast. And that’s before we even talk about promoting posts.
Let’s look at the hidden costs of going viral:
- Time Investment: Social media platforms demand consistent posting to stay relevant. Brands posting 2-3 times a week often see more engagement, but that’s hours of crafting content.
- Paid Ads: Want a guaranteed audience? Paid advertising campaigns like Facebook or Instagram ads are essential. On average, businesses spend about $300 to $1,000 per month on social media advertising (Hootsuite, 2022).
- Engagement Tools: Keeping up with conversations is crucial, and investing in social listening tools can be a game-changer. Brands often spend on tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to manage social interactions.
Take Wendy’s for example. Their cheeky Twitter persona didn’t happen overnight. A dedicated team works full-time to craft those viral-worthy burns and responses, making social media success look effortless—when it’s anything but.
The 5DM Take on Social Media
At 5DM, we know that social media success means balancing organic content with targeted ads. Here’s how we do it:
- Smart Planning: We create content calendars to make sure no post goes up without a purpose.
- Paid + Organic Mix: We combine paid advertising and organic reach to boost visibility and engagement.
- Engagement Strategy: By using social listening tools, we can jump into relevant conversations when they matter most.
Bottom Line? Social Media Marketing Isn’t Free—But It’s Worth It! To succeed on social media, you’ll need to invest time, effort, and resources. But the payoff? More followers, engagement, and ultimately, more customers.