Which social media platform is right for your business? Let’s start with the basics: how (and why) social media works.
Social media is an all-encompassing term for websites and apps that drive communication, community input and interaction, and content sharing. Social media began as a way for family and friends to stay in touch, but as of 2022, its purposes are much more extensive—as we’re all well aware. Sure, out-of-state family and friends use social media to stay connected, but those who dominate social media spaces now are Influencers, brands, and of course, advertisers.
You may be wondering, “Why should my business be on social media? And does social media work as an advertising tool for both B2B and B2C businesses?” The short answer is yes. The long answer is, well, long. So let’s break it down into short-and-sweet bullet points—we all love those, right? Right!
- Brand awareness: social media boosts your visibility to potential customers across the globe.
- Brand credibility: potential customers are likely going to search for your business across social media, and having an active profile demonstrates your legitimacy—and shows your business is keeping up with the trends.
- Brand expertise: social media provides you with an opportunity to become a thought leader in your industry.
- SEO: the more backlinks from domains with high domain authority, the better your search engine visibility
Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s break down a sampling of the most popular platforms:
Sound overwhelming? Deep breaths. Let’s delve further into each platform to determine which may be best for your business. If you’re eager to create a profile for every single platform, just know it may be a waste of time, energy…and money. Strategy and intention are key in the digital space.
- Instagram: Are you targeting Millennials? If so, Instagram may be right for your business. People aged 18-34 make up the majority of the platform’s user base. As a highly visual platform, Instagram works wonders for B2C companies with aesthetic products to sell. Plus, Instagram allows you to “Shop” and sell directly to consumers on the app. Leading industries on Instagram include travel, beauty and fashion, health and fitness, and lifestyle.
- Facebook: As Instagram’s Partner in Crime, Facebook is a great B2C and B2B social media platform—that is, if you’re willing to put in the bucks. With more than 2.3 billion users, Facebook is incredibly oversaturated. Your business may get lost in the shuffle unless you’re willing to dedicate a budget towards advertising. Leading industries on Facebook include eCommerce, financial services, retail, gaming, and entertainment.
- YouTube: Whether your business is B2C or B2B, if you have video content, then YouTube is the perfect place to post it! Plus, since YouTube is owned by Google, publishing optimized content on this platform boosts your SEO. The leading industries on YouTube are tech, automotive, and fashion.
- TikTok: Gen Z largely dominates this platform, which is full of short-form, viral videos (think lip-syncs, challenges, and quick tutorials). If you have a product or service that appeals to people aged 10-29, then TikTok may be the platform for you. The leading industries on TikTok are beauty and fashion, art, home interior, and food.
- Twitter: Are you a fan of keeping it short and engaging in conversations? Then you’ve come to the right place! Twitter offers B2B and B2C brands an opportunity to craft their voice while also providing value. Tweeting regularly and using the right hashtags helps increase the visibility of your company on this saturated platform. The leading industries on Twitter are food and drink, tech, and fashion.
- LinkedIn: Regarded as the best platform for B2B businesses (but also great for B2C businesses!), LinkedIn provides an opportunity to keep your clients and employees engaged. LinkedIn is the perfect platform if you’re targeting key stakeholders and decision-makers (AKA the people with the power to hire or partner with your company). The leading industries on LinkedIn are software, services, IT, health care, construction, retail, education, and finance.
- Pinterest: With a 60% female user base, Pinterest is best for B2C brands with DIY and visually captivating content. People come to Pinterest for inspiration, so it is important to use this platform to not only sell products but also build meaningful engagement. The leading industries on Pinterest are retail, real estate, local businesses, non-profits, and artists.
In short, posting content on social media helps improve your business’ authority and puts your offerings in front of the eyes of potential customers. To position your company for success in the online realm, remember to post consistently, be engaging, strive for authenticity, and dedicate energy to a select few platforms.
And if you’re now drowning in this sea of information, fear not! The team at Top Fox is delighted to strategize, manage, and schedule your business’s social media. Reach out if you’re ready to start the conversation.
Sources:
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media/biggest-social-media-sites/#close
https://100poundsocial.com/blog/online-marketing/b2c-social-media-marketing
https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/the-most-popular-smes-industries-booming-on-tiktok/
https://buffer.com/library/social-media-sites/
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media/biggest-social-media-sites/#close
