The adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” rings true for both major brands and small businesses in the fashion and apparel industry. This industry, built on the notion that aesthetic is everything, is now even more reliant on visuals because the latest social networks have birthed a new obsession with pictures and visual content. That’s where social media marketing comes in. Social media allows apparel brands to not only showcase their products in a visually appealing way, but interact with their customers as well—a crucial skill in an industry where customer feedback and loyalty determines business longevity. Social networks like Facebook, Pinterest, Polyvore, and Instagram help fuel fashion-related buzz with the click of a button. For major brands and blossoming businesses, it’s no secret that social media is now a necessity to engage customers and promote products to a much larger audience. Social media is also a key factor in purchasing decisions. In fact, over 71% of consumers say that they are more likely to purchase a product based on social media referrals.