Gone are the days when all you had to do for a new business was set up a website and an email address. Now, there are a dazzling array of social media options that allow you to connect with your customers, reach new audiences and engage on a daily basis. But which ones are right for you? Here, we offer an overview of the most popular places to promote your business online.
If you’re only going to pick one social media platform, you should probably make it Facebook. While it’s popularity is beginning to wane among the younger generation, experts estimate that there are some 50 million Facebook users in the UK, making it the most popular choice in the country by far. It’s also a good multi-purpose platform, too, with options to advertise, engage with your customers and even sell via Facebook shops.
Another popular choice, Instagram is great for businesses with a visual element to their products. Although you can add text to your posts, and link to an online store, users on this platform are mostly on it for the images. But if you can build a strong brand and a devoted following, it will pay off in spades – Instagram users are among the most loyal social media audiences around.
Where Instagram is all about the images, Twitter is all about the words – 280 characters of them to be precise. Typically, users tend to be from the younger, university-educated demographic, with an interest in politics and current affairs – so if that sounds like your target market it’s an ideal choice. Unlike other platforms, where updates should be limited, Twitter is well suited to multiple daily posts – perfect if you work in a fast-paced industry and want to keep your customer base informed.
Another visual choice, Pinterest attracts a largely female demographic who often use it for planning weddings and other events. So if your business falls within these sectors, you should definitely give this platform a go. Contributing to a group board is a great way to boost your visibility without needing to spend time managing an entirely different social media profile – just make sure that you pay particular attention to keywords to ensure that users can find your content.
YouTube
These days, YouTube is almost as popular as Facebook when it comes to social media marketing tools. You can generate your own content, use YouTube Ads to promote your business, or sponsor existing channels in exchange for banner ads, product placement and more. If you’re selling anything that can be demonstrated or displayed in video format, you should be making and uploading your own videos – but remember that quality counts.
To some, LinkedIn is considered a bit of a dinosaur on the social media scene. But for many consummate professionals, it’s still the go-to choice for networking and self-promotion. If you’re an established company looking to recruit new talent within your field, or foster relationships with others in your industry, LinkedIn is a great option. It’s also ideal for businesses that sell corporate-focused products, as you can easily reach members in a certain demographic.
