Let’s face it, there are A LOT of different social media platforms on the web these days and if you’re a newbie to the ever changing world of social media, choosing the best one for your business can be a daunting task.
From hashtags to videos, likes and sharing, this is your guide to the most popular social media platforms, what they each do and how they might benefit you or your business.
Welcome to the most widely used social media platform on the globe, Facebook. Whether you’re just starting up or have a big budget to make a big impact, Facebook has the business of paid advertising down pat and is a great way for you to get the word out about your business or product.
Twitter is the birthplace of the infamous hashtag. Share short text status updates of no more than 140 characters, along with videos, photos, polls and links. By tagging users in your updates, you can instantly interact with them which make it a great platform for managing customer service, allowing you to respond to customers praise or concerns, and joining a conversation as your business or brand.
Instagram is perfect for those who want to showcase eye catching images and videos. More and more apps are being developed to provide even more ways to enhance and edit the content you share on Instagram. And remember, a consistent, colourful and cool account is a followed account!
YouTube
If video content is a central focus of your business, YouTube is for you. For some, YouTube is literally their full time job, with potential to make money when your popularity increases. Simply create your own channel and upload videos, whether they are for creative, visual or educational purposes. You are also able to view, like, rate, share or comment on content while sharing a platform with billions of other viewers.
The best way to think of Pinterest is as a scrapbook of your business. If your brand is even just a little bit visual, Pinterest is a must, especially if your business is geared toward the fashion, travel, cooking or DIY industry. Create boards, add your own images, save others’ images and showcase your products to the world.
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional social network and is an excellent tool to connect colleagues, businesses or other like-minded professionals. It can be thought of as an online resume, outlining the ins and outs of the individual or business, its strengths and achievements. Its potential lies in its power to build authority and establish leadership.
Snapchat
Snapchat is another visual social media platform, mainly used for video content. However, unlike the others, the content deletes itself after 24 hours and videos can only be recorded for 10 seconds at a time. Perhaps the biggest advantage to your business is that due to its temporary nature, there is less pressure to produce polished content and you can see exactly how many people viewed your videos.
Still feeling a bit unsure as to what social media platform is best for you? Get in touch with us at General Media and we can advise the best way forward for your business.
