With over 4.2 billion active social media users around the world, social media platforms have become the go-to place for marketing your small business. Use of social media platforms as marketing tools has skyrocketed, and it is important for small businesses to take advantage of the platforms in order to share your brand and find your voice.
If you are new to marketing on social media, or are curious to learn more about using social media, here are a couple pointers to help get the ball rolling:
Step one of using social media is deciding which platforms and networks are right for you. Each social media platform has different demographics and purposes, and finding the right ones for your capability and audience is the first and most important step in your social media marketing plan. Who is your audience? How can you reach them? And what are your goals?
Keep in mind that the use of social media platforms tend to differ with your location. Some platforms are more prevalent than others and are used differently in different regions, so make sure to do your own research on which platforms might be best for you.
Also remember that social media gives you what you put into it. Your audience will not grow on its own, so make sure that you understand your limitations and don’t stretch yourself too thin by using every platform. Make sure to stay engaged and keep the content flowing.
Facebook is the most widely used social media network with over 2.7 billion global users, and the largest user demographic being between the ages of 25-34. Facebook’s purpose is to build and maintain relationships, which makes it best for building brand loyalty with your existing audience, but it is difficult to break into new networks and expand your audience on the platform.
Twitter is a great platform for creating awareness around your brand and providing updates about your business. Although it has over 350 million users and is best used for having conversations surrounding trending topics, it can be difficult to build your audience, as there are still many people that are not on twitter, and if they are, it is difficult to develop your voice considering the limited character count.
Instagram is one of the fastest growing platforms out there, especially with young people. As a picture and video platform, it will be very beneficial if you have a visual-based business, like retail, food, or art. It also has a more friendly user experience than other platforms such as Facebook, making it easier for beginners. If you are targeting a younger audience, Instagram is definitely the way to go.
LinkedIn is distinct from the other platforms we’ve discussed as it has the oldest audience and it has a very narrow focus on business development and networking. While this platform isn't right for providing business updates or sharing promotions, it is excellent for networking with people in your industry and recruiting employees.
TikTok and YouTube are different from the rest of this list because they are only for video content. Video content takes a lot of effort and resources to do it the right way, so I would recommend going into video marketing if you have the necessary resources to do so. That being said, video content on YouTube and TikTok is great for creating brand awareness and brand loyalty.