With so many social media options out there, it can be hard to know which one(s) are best for your business. Each platform is unique, offering advantages and disadvantages over every other social media marketing option. With a brief overview of your social media options, however, you’ll be equipped to make the best choice for your business.
Remember, you know your business best. Knowing what each platforms offers will help you choose if it is right for your business and your audience.
What sets Facebook apart
Facebook’s prevalence. When people think “social media,” they usually think Facebook. With 1.67 billion users, it’s become integrated not only in the lives of Americans but individuals around the world. And it’s prevalent among marketers, with 93% of social media marketers using Facebook for their organization.
How individuals use Facebook
A main motivation to be active on Facebook is relational: connect with other individuals and organizations you care about (or at least, show a mild enough interest in you’ll be fine reading an update from). Users can range from the grandparent using Facebook occasionally to see photos of their grandkids to the young adult using Facebook daily to stay in touch with friends around the world and organizations championing their favorite causes.
How marketers can use Facebook
What sets Twitter apart
The limit to post length. Users can only send posts with 140 characters or less. This helped Twitter become a place where users expect short snippets of information among a continual stream of posts.
How individuals use Twitter
A main motivation to be active on Twitter is informational: gain short and succinct pieces of information from individuals and organizations relevant to your life.
How marketers can use Twitter
What sets Linkedin apart
The targeted audience. Everyone on Linkedin is either a current or aspiring professional. This specific nature of its audience results in content creation that tends to see an industry or career slant to it. And because published posts are tied to individuals’ professional profile, the amount of spam and overly promotional posts tends to be lower than on other platforms.
How individuals use Linkedin
A main motivation to be active on Linkedin is professional: to sell yourself, network, and in some cases find new employment. Individuals follow organizations that they care about and/or that provide relevant articles that help them in improving their personal or professional self.
How marketers use Linkedin
Google+
What sets Google+ apart
The owner. Google+ is owned by Google, and Google rewards those who use its platform. When marketers post to Google+ they reap rewards from Google, namely SEO benefits.
How individuals use Google+
A main motivation to be active on Google+ is to gain the SEO benefits as a marketer. Google+ frankly is Google’s failed attempt at creating a social media platform to compete with Facebook and Twitter. Not as many users are on Google+, but people can use it as a way to connect with other individuals who share similar interests. Individuals will follow organizations they share a connection with or that provide useful content.
How marketers use Google+
YouTube
What sets YouTube apart
The content. YouTube is just videos. No writing messages, no posting pictures, just videos.
How individuals use YouTube
A main motivation to be active on YouTube is to find and watch videos. Some people will search for individual videos, others will follow certain users and brands. People search for a variety of videos, from entertainment-focused to informational-driven.
How marketers use YouTube
What sets Pinterest apart
Its focus is curation and organization of content. Pinterest works like a virtual bulletin board with users able to save photos, videos, and articles from throughout the Internet to various themed boards.
How individuals use Pinterest
A main motivation to be active on Pinterest is to find articles, photos, and videos that inspire or resonate with you. Usually it’s information you can “act” on, like a how-to crafting article. Sometimes it’s information that serves as a foundation for inspiration, like a photo of a well-designed kitchen.
How marketers use Pinterest
The social media platform(s) best for your organization depends on how your target audience uses the platform(s) and how you want to approach your social media marketing. For organizations just starting out on social media, Facebook is a great go-to because its user friendliness and potential for high marketing benefits. If you want to take advantage of one (or many!) of the social media platforms for your organization, but aren’t sure where to start, Alpine Small Business Solutions is here for you! We’d love to help you through this, or any aspect of small business building. Reach out with an email or phone call today!