With so many social network options out there, how do you go about choosing the right channel to grow your business with a social media marketing strategy? There is no doubt that social media has the potential to help you reach customers, improve your reputation, and develop a following. But with that said, each network has its own unique features. As such, a catch all approach usually doesn’t work very well for social media.
The best way to ensure that you get the best results is to choose your networks carefully according to your industry, goals and content strategy.
Which social network should you choose?
Which social network is the right one to choose? The answer to that question depends on what you plan to achieve with your social media posting. The most powerful networks include the following:
In March 2017, the number of active Facebook users worldwide reached over 1.94 billion per month. It goes without saying that Facebook has become as much a part of life as email for many people. What makes Facebook a good choice for a wide diversity of industries and businesses is the fact that it allows you to create different types of pages depending on your focus area. Photos, text posts, video, reviews, comments, follows, likes, messaging and engagement are all possible with this network.
Twitter reported 310 million monthly active users in 2016. Tweets are limited to 140 characters, meaning that your content needs to be short, sweet and to the point. Images and videos can be shared. A key feature of this network is the hashtag, which has since spread to other channels such as Instagram and Facebook. Businesses of all kinds use Twitter. Users can follow, reply, like and retweet Tweets, and send private messages.
LinkedIn is a professional network that is mostly used for businesses in the corporate world. Users create individual and company pages to showcase achievements, rewards and opportunities. If you are actively recruiting talent to your business, this network is a great choice. If your business is more of a creative venture, it may not be the best choice.
YouTube
YouTube has over a billion users around the world. This network focuses on video – a powerful way to reach your audience. If you are not using video as part of your marketing strategy, then this channel will not give you much result. If you are keen to create informative, entertaining or interesting videos such as how-tos, guides, virtual tours and other video content, YouTube is a powerful platform that helps you harness the power of video.
Ultimately, the only way to truly know which channel will bring you the best results is to try a selection and test your success.
If you’re looking for expert consulting that includes help getting started on social networks, contact me today.
P.S. For more tips on how to use social networks effectively, view our article on the biggest social media mistakes to avoid.
