Algo-RHYTHM: Leveraging Your Digital Audience and Footprint

What Are Algorithms?

Algorithms. A word frequently used by social media users in the digital age. And these network patterns are quickly becoming a point of emphasis for consumers online. Algorithms have become so relevant in fact, that even seniors know how to identify and use them. Data gathered by industry insider PYMNTS determines digital transactions often occur on continuous mobile phone sessions, oftentimes between app jumps between Instagram, Amazon Prime and mobile banking, for example. Algorithms thrive on that activity.

If a potential customer lands on an attractive Instagram offer, they’re likely to jump to their bank app, assess their finances, bounce back to Instagram and make the purchase. The ad is only there for a moment, and the customer knows this. “Limited Time Offer!” Convenience and timing are just as valuable to many consumers as the product itself. This is often a purchase linked to a reel or advertisement on a temporary story or “suggested for you” reel. And that accessibility earns sales.

The Mobile Purchasing Boom

Phone sessions have been significantly longer across the board with most people spending continuous hours a day on their devices, because, after all, we want what grabs our attention. Links and advertisements molded by an ever-changing algorithm pop up every few taps, and the more curated the promotion, the more likely the link is to be clicked. And even if the customer declines to purchase after all, there’s still measurable traffic to the online store. Visibility. Reach.

Additionally, your digital footprint as a business-owner has already been vetted over the course of months or even years by these info-hungry platforms. This means the need for continuous, irritating credit checks and hoops to jump through for approval may be bypassed – sort of. At the very least, you’ve graded yourself without knowing it, and your engagement is only going to grow the more information you publish.

Merchants…Take Action!

Your algorithm is now the judge, jury and executioner. Information about your audience is already organized via your impressions statistics. The only thing left is to determine the rate of visits to your online store per number of insights. This will measure the effectiveness of how you’re scaling the business and how you can earn more investment on the socials. Since the dawn of the Internet, your personal information has been harvested by these companies without compensation. So why not use that same data to your advantage and leverage your business on this “social media report card” they provide? It’s all about reputation, right? You want to be a trusted seller that recurring customers continue to refer to their trusted acquaintances.

So what should you do? Establish a credible social media presence. Selling from these platforms directly is up to you, but build an aesthetic that not only proves your product(s) is trustworthy, but it also attracts new customers and encourages word-of-mouth marketing for your online store.