Social media can hugely influence the lives of people. Through social media, we stay connected to friends, family, influencers, celebrities and even strangers! In this respect, it has a positive implication for businesses, as it means a new way of interacting with the customer on a more personal level. This is where Social CRM comes in.

What is Social CRM?

Social CRM is a successor of Classic CRM, which means dealing with customers within the frame of social networks. The idea of social media is about listening to what consumers are saying about a brand and business engaging in those discussions, and applying the data gathered from social platforms to enhance organizational procedures.

Difference Between Social CRM and Traditional CRM

Although Social CRM and traditional CRM share a common goal of enhancing customer relationships, the two methodologies are quite distinct.

Traditional CRM

Conventional CRM is mostly centered on the discharging of Customer relationships through conventional contact methods including writing, telephone and face-to-face communication. It is more often than not, purely vocational and based largely on the need to sell and provide services. It is normally achieved by a survey of the customers or an analysis of records within the company.

Social CRM

While on the other hand, there is Social CRM that focuses on Relationship management through the social networks. It is far more informal and is based on participation and the creation of a community. Information is collected from social media platforms; it reveals information concerning customers’ actions, choices, and opinions.

Types of Social CRM –

Social CRM can be applied in a number of forms based on the nature of the business and it’s goals. Here are some common types:

• Social Listening: Using social media monitoring to track brand awareness, products or competition in social media platforms.
• Social Engagement: Engaging in chats, commenting, and even in messaging and interacting with clients.
• Social Customer Service: Engaging customers on the social media platforms to attend to their concerns and complaints, or malfunctions.
• Social Selling: A specific case of how social media can be used to recognize customers, cultivate contacts, and lead generation tips for Overseas Education Consultants.
• Social Analytics: Quieting data from social media platforms as a way of taking a closer look at the customers, their behaviors, and attitude towards products or services.

Social CRM Challenges

Social CRM implementation is not without its drawbacks. Here are some common hurdles:

1. Data Management –

When it comes to handling and analyzing huge amounts of social media data, it can get quite overwhelming.

2. Integration –

Social media data often needs to be combined with or brought into existing CRM systems, this may not always be easy.

3. Privacy Concerns –

LinkedIn Page and Twitter Account data management is sensitive to customers’ privacy.

4. Negative Feedback –

If people leave a negative comment about a product, service, or idea, it can be quite difficult to address the issue.

5. Measuring ROI –

It remains rather challenging to determine the return on investment in terms of Social CRM efforts.

How Social CRM Empowers Overseas Education Consultants?

Using Social CRM is beneficial to overseas education consultants as it alters the way of business with potential students. In this way, consultants are able to instantly increase the amount of potential applicants who can see their services through the help of social media platforms. Telling real-life success stories, and student feedback, giving recommendations on visa applications, choosing the right university, and cultural adaptation do not make the audience doubt the reliability of the information provided.

This social proof resonates firmly with any prospective student and his or her family when making their decision on who to consult on their further education. Interacting with the students on social media gives the consultants the opportunity to answer any questions the students may have, discuss appropriate class choices, and university fit, and develop good relations.

This face-to-face and individual communication is important in a sensitive decision-making process such as studying in a foreign country. It allows individual communication, talking to the students reflecting their specific needs and interests, destination, program and price level. This makes the overall structural approach much more targeted which in turn greatly benefits the student. Lastly, using social media has efficient lead collection applications for gaining more leads.

Using paid advertising targeting, following topic-based hashtags and researching forums, consultants are able to capture prospective learners at early stages of pipeline management in their research and guide them through the often lengthy application process and therefore, enhance conversion rates and business profitability.

Conclusion

Social CRM is fast emerging as a new way of engaging customers for companies. It is one of the Best Overseas Education Consultants CRM. Critically speaking, there is no doubt that Social CRM has its merits, more so within the context of Industries like overseas education consulting where the primary business depends on building and maintaining trust from a global audience.