Social media is a great way to connect with your audience, share content, network with like-industries, and advertise your products and services. At EZY Marketing, we believe it’s a great way to gather valuable information about your users which allows you to better target your audience with specific marketing tactics.
However, there seems to be new social media channels popping up everywhere and it’s tempting to try them all, but is that best for your business? Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Pinterest, Clubhouse, Instagram, TikTok? How do you know which one to use?
Does your business even need social media? Some businesses thrive on word of mouth; however, the vast majority can benefit from a social media presence to increase exposure and reach new customers.
Choosing the right social media platforms is crucial to effectively reach your target audience and achieve your marketing goals. So before you hit that ‘create account’ button, EZY Marketing recommends these social media strategies to help determine which channels are best for your business.
Research Social Media Platforms –
Get familiar with the different social media platforms and learn their key demographics, features, and strengths. LinkedIn is ideal for business-to-business (B2B), for example, whereas Facebook may be better suited to business-to-consumer (B2C) and nonprofits.
Know your Target Audience –
Understand who your target demographic is (age, gender, location, interests, etc.) This will help you identify which social media platforms your audience is most active on. For example, X (formerly known as Twitter) skews male whereas Pinterest has a heavy female audience. TikTok and Snapchat are ideal for the under 30 crowd.
Set your Goals –
What is it you want to achieve through social media marketing? Increase brand awareness? Drive traffic to your website? Boost sales? Increase exposure or reach new and current customers? Knowing your goals will help you choose the right platforms to use. Instagram is great for brand-building but Facebook makes it easier to convert sales.
Analyze your Competitors –
Look at what social media platforms your competitors are using. Analyze their content, engagement levels, and audience reactions to get insights into which platforms might work best for your business.
Social Media Team –
Let’s face it, maintaining social media takes time and effort. Between creating content and scheduling posts, you will need a dedicated individual or team to manage and maintain your channels. Assess your expertise, resources, and time available for managing social media.
Assess Platform Relevance –
Which platform aligns well with your industry? Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram are the top social platforms for brands and consumers, but it doesn’t mean that those will be your go-to channels.
For example, visually oriented business may thrive on Instagram or Pinterest, whereas attorneys might find more success on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Consider Content Format –
Different social media platforms support various formats such as images, videos, live streaming, etc. Choose platforms that allow you to showcase your product or service in the most effective way for your audience. If you have a demonstrable product to showcase, YouTube is a great bet. If you’re not comfortable with a video format, TikTok is one to avoid.
Test and Analyze –
Test and experiment with a few selected platforms, Monitor and analyze the performance of your posts to see which are delivering the best results for your business goals.
Get Feedback –
Don’t hesitate to ask your audience which platforms they prefer or content they’d like to see more of. User feedback can provide valuable insights on refining your social media strategy.
Adapt –
Social media trends and user preferences are continually evolving so be prepared to adapt as you go along. Regularly review your social media performance and be open to shifting to another platform if necessary.
The power of social media provides an instant way to connect with your audience, build relationships, and increase brand awareness. By following EZY Marketing’s recommended strategies and continuously refining your approach, you can choose the right social media platforms that best support your business and effectively connect you with your target audience. Social media requires that you be an active participant, so having a dedicated team member to manage your channels is key.
If you need help getting started or don’t have the time for growing and maintaining your channels, contact EZY Marketing for a personalized consultation.