For businesses looking to get ahead in marketing, there’s no need to spend huge amounts on traditional TV advertising. The major advantage social media ads provide is they give you a more efficient way to reach your ideal customers, saving money and delivering better results.
For over 14 years, KWSM has been helping businesses manage their social media with an approach that focuses on strategy, creativity, and consistent engagement. From our experience, it’s fair to say that social media ads aren’t always better than TV ads. There are very specific situations where a television ad will help you accomplish your goals more than a social media ad. For instance, an advertisement for a television show is probably the best fit for a commercial on the channel the show will be on.
However, younger audiences don’t really watch television anymore, television ads are costly, and their results are hard to track. Social media ads, on the other hand, are cost-effective, highly targeted, and deliver a stronger return on investment (ROI) compared to TV commercials. Let’s look more into some of the reasons why social media ads are better than TV ads.
Three Reasons Why Social Media Ads Are Better Than TV Ads
Three reasons social media ads could be better for your business than TV ads are that they could:
- Target audiences more accurately
- Increase levels of engagement
- Maximize cost savings and flexibility
According to April 2024 data from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), “Since 2020, ad spend share has shifted nearly 20 percentage points from linear TV to digital video*. As the shift in viewership from linear TV to streaming accelerates, ad spending is also transitioning. E.g., the largest pay TV providers lost 5M subscribers in 2023, adding to the 4.6M lost in 2022. This reflects an ongoing annual decrease in subscribers of approximately 6%.” This evidence supports the notion that TV ads are dying, and here are three reasons why.
1. Target Audiences More Accurately
One key reason social media ads are better than TV ads is the ability to target your audience precisely. If your business aims to reach women aged 25-35 with a passion for fitness, social media platforms allow you to focus directly on that specific group. This precision ensures that you’re not paying for exposure that may not be relevant, addressing the frustration of ineffective advertising.
Additionally, viewers are not guaranteed to pay attention when your ad comes on TV. With social media, you target specific groups and gain valuable insights into how people engage with your ads.
2. Increase Levels of Engagement
Another reason why social media ads outperform TV ads is engagement. Think about how viewers often react to TV commercials: as soon as they come on, people tend to get distracted, look at their phones, leave the room, or mute the sound.
On social media, ads are shown to users who have shown an interest in similar products or services, making them more likely to pay attention. This targeted approach means that businesses spend their ad dollars more wisely, and users receive content that is more aligned with their interests, fulfilling the belief that advertising should be smart and effective.
This targeted approach means that businesses spend their ad dollars more wisely, and users receive content that is more aligned with their interests.
3. Maximize Cost Savings and Flexibility
A third reason social media ads are better than TV ads is cost efficiency. Producing and airing a TV commercial can cost thousands of dollars, even in smaller markets. There are expenses for scripting, filming, editing, and buying airtime, all of which add up quickly.
In contrast, social media ads can be created and managed at a much lower cost. Platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram offer affordable advertising options that allow businesses to adjust their strategies and budgets as needed.
Improve Your Social Media With KWSM
If you want to strengthen your social media management and connect with your audience more effectively, KWSM is here to help. You will free up valuable time and drive more engagement by working with our team to set up a marketing strategy that keeps your goals in mind.
Contact us for a free consultation and to talk about a social media presence that works for you.
