Social media is powerful– it has the ability to take content, reach a wide variety of people, and rapidly spread across the globe whether you want it to or not. The question is: are you using social media’s fullest potential to your company’s benefit? When it comes to business, social media can be an active and engaging way to reach new or current clients, answer questions, and share content related to your business. If you’re not using it, then you’re losing it!
Which social media application is right for you and your small business?
First, it’s important to understand which social media platforms do what so that you can utilize your content and your communication the way you need to. Typically the top platforms that are used by companies are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube. There are others, of course, but when people search for your business this is the way they’re going to do it.
At the first quarter of 2018, Facebook had 2.19 billion monthly users. (See what our Social Media Virtual Assistants mean when we say if you’re not using it, you’re losing it?)
With a Facebook business page, you can designate business hours, provide contact information, display logos and business photographs, and post whatever you want! Facebook messaging means you can also set automated responses when you’re away from your phone or computer if a client contacts you.
Additionally, Facebook Insights lets you see what kind of activity your page is getting. Are people finding you effectively? What’s your target audience? What devices are people using to see your page? These are just a few questions that can be answered by utilizing Facebook.
Instagram is considered a marketing hub for people who want to sell their products, including but not limited to giveaways, targeted advertisement, passion connection, and exploration all in a visual format that appeals to users.
Like Facebook, Instagram offers the option for a business profile that highlights the benefit of using it for mobile business success. They help you optimize what kinds of advertisements you’d like to purchase, who you’d like to see those ads and how, and help you maintain a business profile that draws in potential customers.
Instagram doesn’t feel quite as interpersonal as Facebook. Even though the media has its own direct messaging, it is far more common for users to seek help through media like Facebook and Twitter. Even so, Facebook feels like a more direct approach to clients and consumers than Instagram does. However, both are very important tools for marketing and communication purposes!
Twitter is the most unique of our lineup so far: it has 336 million monthly users which is lower than Facebook and Instagram, yet it is a powerful force in news and politics. Twitter allows you to share videos and photos while following other user tweets, but it limits the amount of words you use by only allowing you to use 280 characters. This means you need to be short, sweet, and to the point when you post. When it comes to business, Twitter excels at allowing users to directly engage in conversation that is both mostly public and instantaneous in feeling.
Like Facebook and Instagram, Twitter has a hub for business tactics. Implementing tools like Twitter promote mode, advertisements, campaign control, and more allows business owners to take control of their Twitter account for the way that they need.
YouTube is a video sharing website that allows its users to upload videos, watch videos, and gather subscribers. This website is right on Facebook’s heels, coming in at 1.8 billion users every month. The top companies usually use YouTube to upload their company videos, testimonies, and market their brand. Think commercials! The most successful YouTube channels are ones that upload daily, show off their products, make use of advertisements, and gather as many subscribers as possible. These users can be daily vloggers, singers, reporters, and more!
Unlike the other social media networks we’ve mentioned, YoTube probably isn’t for everybody. You can certainly use it to upload videos and share them on your business pages, but it’s important to think about the type of content you want to create with Youtube. Will you want to make a video of yourself talking to the camera? Will you want to upload once a month or every week? How can these things benefit or deter your business? These are important questions to ask yourself and see how YouTube stands in answering them!
In summary, are many social networking sites that you could use for your business! But there is no denying that these powerhouses are the ones you really want to make a name for yourself on. Utilizing social media to your advantage can help build better connections with customers, help reach more audience, and make a reputable virtual presence for yourself. If you need assistance, just contact your Social Media Virtual Assistant. Overall, what we say is true: if you’re not using it, you’re losing it! So don’t lose it!
