Choosing a social media platform for your business is the most important digital marketing strategy for your company. However, picking which ones to utilize can be a daunting task. Additionally, picking a platform requires an understanding of the platform itself and an understanding of your company’s target audience. Read on to learn which platforms are best for different demographics and the needs of your business.
Options, Options
Before we dive in, it is important to be aware of the available options of social media platforms.
- Users: 2.6 billion monthly active users worldwide
- Audience: Generation X and Millennials
- Industry impact: B2C
- Best for: brand awareness and advertising
YouTube
- Users: over 2 billion monthly users worldwide
- Audience: Millennials and Generation Z
- Industry impact: B2C
- Best for: brand awareness, entertainment, and how-to videos
- Users: 186 million daily active users worldwide
- Audience: Millennials
- Industry impact: B2B and B2C
- Best for: public relations and customer service
- Users: 1 billion monthly active users
- Audience: Millennials and Generation Z
- Industry impact: B2C
- Best for: natural-looking media, behind-the-scenes, user-generated content, and advertising
- Users: 675 million monthly active users worldwide
- Audience: Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials
- Industry impact: B2B
- Best for: B2B relationships, business development and employment marketing
Snapchat
- Users: 249 million daily active users worldwide
- Audience: Generation Z
- Industry impact: B2C
- Best for: brand awareness and advertising
- Users: 416 million monthly active users worldwide
- Audience: younger Baby Boomers and older Millennials
- Industry impact: B2C
- Best for: visual advertising and inspiration
The Importance
Increase Brand Awareness
In 2018, there were over 3.2 billion people in social media globally. Due to the sheer amount of people on social media, the benefits of utilizing an online presence to increase digital brand awareness are obvious. Increasing engagement is the key.
Generate Leads and Boost Conversations
Promoting and sharing your products on social media is a simple way to improve lead generation, boost conversations and increase sales because the audience established have opted to engage with your content by following you.
Foster Relationships With Customers
By connecting and engaging with your social media followers, you’ll be able to build lasting relationships between them and your business. Interaction is the easiest way to do this.
Learn from Competitors
Social media is a great way to keep tabs on your competitors and note what tactics they are using.
Getting Specific
Research your buyer and audience
The first step to creating a social media marketing strategy is to determine who your buyer and audience are so you can target their needs and interests appropriately. To do this, think about the people you’re trying to reach and why. For example, if your company sells trendy leggings, you might classify your target audience as millennials who like to wear stylish athletic apparel regularly.
Determine Which Social Platforms You’ll Market On
As a social media marketer, it is crucial you determine which platforms you are going to share your content on. There’s not one right answer. It’s about the needs of your target audience and where they tend to spend their time.
Create Unique and Engaging Content
With the billions of social media users around the globe, there’s no question that at least some of your followers have also seen your competitors’ content or that of other businesses in your industry. That’s why you must have engaging social media content that stands out and provides viewers with a reason to interact with your brand.
Organize a Schedule For Your Posts
One of the easiest ways to ensure your content is shared as planned is to use a social media management solution. These tools allow you to write captions, prepare content and schedule and monitor all post interactions.
Analyze Your Impact and Results
One of the most important aspects of social media marketing is ensuring your efforts are successful in helping you meet your goals. To determine this, you’ll need to keep track of all your posts, on every platform. You can do this by reviewing and managing your social media metrics.
Make A Choice
Now that you are aware of each platform and their purpose, it is time to make a choice on social media platforms.
