Is your business on social media? If not, you’re missing a trick. Social media channels have the ability to raise brand recognition, win customers, and boost a business to new heights.
But it’s not just a matter of setting up a page and posting every couple of days. You’ll need to know when and how to post as well as which sites to post on. Learn how to use social media to your advantage, and there’s no telling what it can do for you.
The power of social media platforms for business should not be underestimated. Today, 72% of US adults are on at least one social media site. The reach these sites make it possible for your business to achieve is impressive, and in many cases, the ROI is equally pleasing.
So, which sites should your business be on? Read on for a breakdown of which ones are best for your business and why.
1. Facebook
Facebook is the OG social media site and still stands the test of time today—for certain demographics, at least. The site has over 1 billion active users every month, and those are numbers that are hard to ignore. But Facebook isn’t a good site to be on only because of the users it attracts, it also has a number of features and functions that make it easy to advertise on.
It’s possible to target ads to specific demographics and types of Facebook users, and you can choose between several different ad formats, including poll ads, carousel ads, video ads, and regular image ads. It’s also a source of powerful analytics and insights which you can use to see how well your efforts are going and inform future marketing strategies.
As well as this, Facebook has a number of comprehensive supports in place for small businesses. They’ll help you get set up, show you the ropes, and even offer features such as a free marketing plan and free webinars and training videos. Because of this, Facebook is a platform that consistently offers a good ROI on its digital marketing services.
2. Instagram
Instagram is another site with impressive user statistics and handy features to make advertising (and eCommerce) easy. With over 500 million daily active users, it’s the perfect place to boost your brand. What’s more, one survey found that 50% of respondents were more interested in a brand after seeing an ad for it on Instagram.
It’s a social media site with a younger demographic than the likes of Facebook, so if that’s who you’re looking to target, then Instagram should be a priority for your business. Around 30% of global Instagram audiences are aged between 25 and 34 years.
Instagram is also good because of the versatile opportunities for engagement and advertising it offers. You can curate your feed, post stories that last 24 hours, and make reels. You can also sell products directly from your feed.
As well as this, on Instagram, you have the chance to work with influencers to boost your brand further. You can also leverage user-generated content to grow your following and engage with your customers. Essentially, the opportunities are endless.
3. Tiktok
Tiktok is a video-sharing app where users post short clips with music or voiceovers. The new kid on the block, it’s fast becoming one of the biggest social networks out there. It has 50 million daily active users in the US alone.
It’s particularly popular with the younger generation (Gen Z in particular) however, it’s also big among millennials as well. Today, around 40% of users are aged between 18 and 24.
Its runaway popularity is reason enough for your business to be on it, there are many more good reasons, as well. For a start, advertising here is made easy.
Following in the footsteps of Facebook and Instagram, Tiktok has a dedicated ads manager to help your business get set up and advertise more effectively. It also, like Instagram, offers the opportunity to collaborate with influencers to further your reach. It’s possible to target demographics, track performance, and manage your ad spend with ease.
4. Twitter
Twitter is a microblogging app that has, according to some sources, 206 million monetizable daily active users worldwide. Over 60% of users on Twitter are aged between 35 and 65, so if you’re looking to connect with a slightly older demographic, this isn’t a bad place to start.
Twitter is good for a brand to be on because it’s one of the easiest ways for your audience to directly engage with you. Many businesses use their feeds as a method of troubleshooting or customer support. However, it’s also possible to advertise on this site.
You can create your own Tweet-like ads that you can then promote so they show up in more people’s feeds. By strategically using hashtags you can help your target audience to find your content more easily. You can also target your ads to specific audiences.
5. Pinterest
Pinterest is an amazing resource for businesses. With over 450 million monthly active users (the majority of whom are women) it’s a market that’s very important to many kinds of businesses. Pinterest is a highly visual app wherein users save pictures or videos as “pins” on an array of virtual mood boards.
Users come to Pinterest to get inspiration on everything from clothing to interior design. This presents an exciting opportunity for your brand to get in front of eyes that are ready to buy.
According to Pinterest, Shoppers on its platform spend 80% more than people on other platforms and have a 40% bigger basket size. To use these facts to your full advantage, create a business profile and start using their handy built-in features such as Pinterest ads and analytics.
The Best Social Media Platforms for Business
Depending on what your business does, or who your target market is, some social media platforms may suit your business more than others. Use the above information to make an informed decision about where and how you’d like your social media strategy to go. If you’re still unsure of where to start, we’re here to help.
At Drive Social Now, we’re committed to helping you make the most of social media platforms for business. Get in touch today to see what we can do for your brand.
