How to Choose the Right Social Media Platform for Your Business

06 Mar How to Choose the Right Social Media Platform for Your Business

Posted at 18:50h in Marketing, Social Media by SmartMarketing Communications 0 Comments

Every company needs a social media presence. As a business owner, you’re well aware that your social feeds can boost your business and help you connect with clients, but you may have trouble navigating the details on how to create (and choose) the right accounts.

One of the leading causes of failed social strategies is prioritizing the wrong social media platforms. Instagram lends itself to a more aesthetically-oriented company than Twitter, and Snapchat may be wrong for a business that’s targeting an older audience. Keeping up on the latest channels, trends, and best practices (not to mention dozens of niche platforms like TikTok and MeetUp) takes a lot of time and attention — two things which most business owners don’t have.

Unless you have a specific team to manage your social media, pick three, then let it be. Choosing the right one, two or three platforms to represent your business can be even more effective than creating multiple accounts that are managed once every month. Consider what kind of company you are, your target audience, and your overall goals while choosing between social sites. Here’s our breakdown on the internet’s most popular platforms:

Facebook is the largest social media platform with billions of users worldwide. The platform averages 2.23 billion monthly users with 1.57 billion mobile users logging on every day. One million links are shared every 20 minutes, so if you’re looking to expand your client base or up your advertising game, this may be the right platform for you.
Pinterest is all about discovery. The site’s 25 million monthly users can search for everything from travel tips to DIY wedding inspiration through linked pictures, making this platform both visually engaging and extremely versatile. Fifty percent of new sign-ups are men, which may be useful for businesses that are trying to reach more males.
Twitter is a micro-blogging social site that limits each post to 280 characters. But don’t let that limit fool you: if your business relies on reaching clients quickly or is out to make a statement, then Twitter is for you. There are over 69 million users in the U.S. alone, and an average of over 6,000 tweets happen every second, making this the perfect platform for getting the word out.
Instagram is all about sharing pictures and 60-second videos. Many brands are participating through hashtags and posting pictures that consumers can relate to, so if your brand is highly visual, consider this social site. Instagram also has a shopping feature that may be useful to e-commerce businesses.
Snapchat is an app for sharing pictures and videos that disappear after being viewed. Roughly 70% of users are female, and the platform is mostly used by people ages 12-24, which could be useful for businesses that want to reach a younger audience.
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site that allows users to share their professional history and accomplishments, expand their network, and apply for jobs. Brands that use this social site are mostly large corporations looking to give their current or potential employees a place to connect with fellow professionals. Seventy percent of users are located outside of the U.S., making this an ideal platform for companies with an international reach.