No doubt about it, social media is evolving every day. It seems that new platforms are constantly becoming the next big thing overnight and what we knew about these platforms last week is different each day.
One thing is for sure: using social media to engage with your consumers is a must in this current market. So how do you integrate these platforms into your business model? By catering to your target audience and considering your business model and goals!
First, if you have not done so already, check out our blog post, It All Hinges On Your Audience! , to help you identify who your audience is or should be and how to identify them. This step will help you in deciding which social media platform to use based on your audience’s preferences.
Speaking of audience preference, Next, we’ll breakdown the top five social media platforms and who their typical users are.
Facebook: Easily the most popular on our list, Facebook allows a user to create a profile to share as much or as little personal information as they would like. Users connect with people and businesses by “friending” or “liking” their pages. To extend your reach further, you can purchase targeting ads that will show up on your target audience’s news feed whether they like your page or not.
Target Audience: Business to consumer. Again, the popularity of this app lends to the reach you will gain by using it. With a click of a “like” button, your target audience will be able to follow any updates, content, new products, or exciting endeavors that your company has in the works. It’s as simple as that.
Instagram: A photo and video sharing app that allows users to post straight from their phone, documenting any and all moments throughout the day.
Target Audience: Business to consumer. Social media has become much more visual in the past couple of years. A clever photo or short video of what you have created will engage your audience right away without getting lost in a sea of words. What’s more is that Instagram was purchased by Facebook so you can expect more of the same features, like targeted ads, on this platform make it easier to have more than one social media account but to use a different way to engage.
LinkedIn: A social media app that allows a user to create a resume-inspired profile with the intention of connecting with like-minded business people, potential employers, and other business-related connections.
Target Audience: Business to business. If you are looking for a stronger connection to business professionals and industry leaders, this is the platform for you. The simplicity of the site makes it easy to get to the point when communicating with your target audience and LinkedIn has become trustworthy in the eyes of businesses all over the world.
Twitter: An online news and media community where people communicate in 160 characters or less in the form of a “tweet.” Photo and video capabilities also exist on this platform.
Target Audience: Business to Consumer. These are the people who are looking for a quick read. They want just the facts and they want them fast. This platform is ideal if you put on a lot of events, write a lot of news content for your site, or share out statistics often.
YouTube: The largest and most well-known video sharing app for everything from tutorials, to music videos, to the latest viral trend.
Target Audience: Everyone. And we’re not kidding. YouTube is a social media platform far different from any of the others because it houses videos of all genres, for all demographics, and is continuously adding hundreds more daily. Your audience can find valuable information in a video-driven world. The only catch? If you aren’t into creating a video, this is not the platform for you. However, after you read these impressive YouTube statistics, you may think twice and start adding more video into your marketing plan.
Now that you know which platform may work the best for your business model and goals, take some time to learn how to identify and engage your social media audience. Then, if you feel like you have a good grasp on who your audience is, but are still unsure of social media, download our Get on the Social Media Train book or contact us today!