There are over 3.8 billion people using social media as of 2020. The potential for businesses to succeed online is at an all time high however, having multiple accounts that you need to update regularly can be overwhelming. Ensuring you give enough time to the right social media platform, is the key to having success online. So let's help you discover which social media platform is best for YOUR business.
Social media started out as a low key (sometimes looked down upon) way to connect with people, usually via internet chatrooms and message boards. Since 2002, connecting with people online wasn’t just a novelty – it quickly became an intrinsic part of everyday life. So, how do you fit in?
If your business caters to the expansive 24 to 54 year-old demographic, the world’s most recognisable social media platform is where you should start. It’s fantastic for getting your business out there on a local level and engaging with your customers. Plus, Facebook offer a brilliant ads service that is easy to set up and relatively low cost.
Pro Tips
· Invite followers from your current email/friends list
· Maintain your brand’s personality in every post
· Offer followers special deals, competitions and discounts
This Facebook owned company is described as a simple, fun & creative way to capture, edit & share photos, videos & messages with friends & family. However, many brands and influencers use it as a serious marketing tool that rakes in ££££s everyday. It is most popular with younger users, with 67% of 18 to 29 year olds logging in.
Pro Tips
· Give your posts a distinctive look so you stand out from the crowd
· Brand your hashtags
· Make use of Insta-stories
As Twitter is an open-source platform, it has a unique ability to allow you to connect with new and existing customers. The age range of users is: 42% of high school kids and 32% of 18 to 50 year-old. Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of Twitter is that users are more likely to engage with a brand, especially small businesses, than users of other platforms.
Pro Tips
· Respond to followers’ tweets, keep things light hearted and professional
· Vary your tweets, link to interesting content, offer tips or advice related to your business and add in a few funny jokes if you can
· Keep on top of what's trending, especially hashtags relating to your business
Snapchat
This platform is mainly used by the under 24s (wow, makes me feel old). If this is your target audience, be sure to have a presence here as it boasts a whopping 100 million users. Try to get creative here and show behind the scenes content, exclusives and light-hearted news.
Pro Tips
· Have employees close to the demographic you are targeting do the posting
· Post behind-the-scene and casual videos of how your company gets down
· Get your customers involved by offering incentives for watching your Snapchat stories
When I hear Pinterest, I always think of gorgeous wedding mood boards and stylish interior design! User-friendly and highly effective, this online platform is much more than pretty pictures and links. It gets users engaged and drives traffic to businesses, both online and in-store. Nearly half of all American women (42%) are reported to use Pinterest! That is an impressive stat. Their ages range from 18 to 49, and companies who focus on apparel, accessories, home décor, and food see dramatic results when using Pinterest as a marketing tool, especially since the roll-out of Do-It-Yourself Promoted Pins.
Pro Tips
· Keep boards organised and visually appealing
· Avoid serial posting (this can be said for all social platforms)
· Look through your followers’ boards to see what interests them to generate content ideas
It's so important to have a plan when it comes to social media. Making sure you stay consistent, on brand and fresh can be challenging but, the rewards are well worth it! If you need any help along the way, you know where to find us.