There’s no debate that social media is a necessary marketing tool for every business that wants to remain relevant and visible. In fact, 88% of marketers say that social media has helped increase exposure followed by increasing traffic at 77%. If you’re not using social media to its fullest, you’re missing out.

But getting started can be difficult, and sometimes even choosing a social platform can be more complicated than you’d think. There are many social networks out there and choosing your channels and creating a strategy can be daunting.

Which social media should I use for my business?

When it comes to figuring out the best social media for your business, the first step is to prioritize what’s important to you. Is it expanding your reach? Is it generating more leads? Is it about brand awareness? 

Next, find out which platform will give you the right exposure with the right audience. Is your brand more visual, naturally inclining towards platforms like Instagram or TikTok? Is it focused on real-time events and would work well on Twitter? Or is your audience diverse and needs a combination of platforms such as YouTube and LinkedIn?

 Let’s dive into the social media networks to find out.

FACEBOOK

Facebook reports over 2.7 billion users-that’s larger than the population of China! With all that noise, it’s important to remember how individuals use Facebook: to build relationships and keep contact with old friends. This makes Facebook a good platform for building the loyalty of your existing customer base. The downside to Facebook is that it may be hard to reach a new audience; due to its large population, your posts have a limited reach — even within your own networks.

As you assess Facebook as a potential platform, consider your business goals. If you’re trying to acquire new business, Facebook might not be your best option, but if you’re building a dedicated following of clients and you need a way to keep in touch with them, this is a great option for your business.

TWITTER

Twitter is an excellent platform to build awareness for your brand. Twitter utilizes the hashtag, which organizes conversations around a word or phrase. By searching hashtags, you can learn what people are talking about so you can craft your tweets to take part in popular conversations. Because Twitter can offer insight into what topics are trending, Twitter is often used by news outlets to find stories. Since Twitter is often used to provide real-time updates to an audience, many brands combine Twitter with offline engagement, such as events.

LINKEDIN

LinkedIn has the distinction of being the most utilized platform for older audiences. It boasts the largest users among ages 30-49. LinkedIn is also unique because it has a narrow focus. People use LinkedIn to search for jobs and to do professional networking. As a result, the platform is useful for B2B lead generation, general networking, and recruiting employees.

INSTAGRAM

Instagram is one of the fastest-growing platforms, especially among a young audience. Like Pinterest, Instagram relies on photos or videos for conversation. As a result, this platform works really well for visual-based businesses, like art, food, retail, and beauty. Because it’s a growing platform, there’s less noise than Facebook. This platform is useful for generating leads and reaching a wider audience.

So, how do I pick the right social media platform for my business?  

Here are our pro-tips:

• Define your social media goals.
• Determine which channels your audience uses.
• Examine the type of content you create.
• Pair your goals, audience and content with the right platform.

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