The intricate world of social media is constantly changing, and businesses must adapt quickly to keep up. In fact, 88% of business leaders believe that staying relevant is the biggest challenge facing their company in the coming year. Social media has become a quintessential marketing channel for businesses of all sizes and industries. There are so many social networks out there that it’s easy to get lost. How do you pinpoint which one is right for your business? Which is worth your time? And how do you manage them all without going crazy? We have compiled a list of the most popular social media apps used by businesses today. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it covers some of the biggest players in the space right now with examples of why they’re useful for businesses.
Importance of Social Media for Businesses
Social media is the modern-day town square, a place where people go to discover new information and connect with others. It has become a go-to source of both customer service and marketing for businesses of all sizes. To put the importance of social media into perspective: 90% of consumers say that recommendations from friends and family are the most crucial factor when making purchase decisions. Social media channels are also the most popular way that consumers communicate with brands. This is because people are increasingly relying on social media for information. Social media is also a great way to attract younger customers. Almost 80% of millennials use social media, and some studies suggest that people under the age of 35 will not purchase anything that they cannot recommend to their friends.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Social Media App for Your Business
There are a wide variety of social media apps out there, and each app has its own unique features, and it's important to choose the right one for your needs. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a social media app for your business:
What are your long-term goals for using social media?
Think about your goals for using social media. How do you wish to engage with your audience on a regular basis? Do you want to use it to generate leads, drive sales, or build brand awareness? Each social media app has different features and capabilities, so you'll want to choose one that aligns with your goals.
Who is your target audience?
You'll want to choose an app that is popular with your target audience so that you can reach them in communities where they are already spending their time.
What kind of content do you want to share?
Once you've considered what type of content you want to share, you'll be able to really narrow down your content creation options and choose the right social media app for your business. Different kinds of content like short and long-form text, images, short and long-form video, animation, etc.
Facebook - The OG of Social Media Apps
The first and most widely used social media platform is Facebook. It’s easy to use, and the majority of your customers are likely already there. Facebook has 2.27 billion active users each month, and it’s important to understand how to best utilize this channel to engage with your customers. A business page on Facebook allows you to publish posts, respond to comments, and host live videos, all within one central location. With a whopping 1.5 billion monthly active users, Instagram is another essential business social network.
Twitter - What to Know Before You Tweet
Twitter has actually found a niche as the go-to place for breaking news. If you’re in the media, or even if you have a business that relies on timely information to succeed, Twitter is a great way to stay relevant and connected. While it is mostly used to broadcast information, it also has a thriving direct messaging community. As with any social media channel, authenticity is key to success. Twitter users appreciate companies that are real, prompt, and provide useful information. For example, Southwest Airlines, the world’s most followed company, is known for its witty, conversational tone.
Instagram - How to Stand Out in the Insta-Ecstasy
With over a billion monthly active users, Instagram is an essential social network for businesses. The most important key to success with Instagram is to build a loyal following by creating high-quality content. To stand out in the Insta-ecstasy, your posts need to be visually appealing. Be creative when choosing the types of photos you share. Keep things in line with your brand’s message and target customer. And remember to use the hashtags provided by Instagram to help your posts be found by more people.
Snapchat - Don’t Snore, Just Learn
While Snapchat was once the domain of teens sending silly selfies, it has recently become a valuable marketing channel for businesses. The app’s “story” feature allows you to create a narrative that is visible to all of your followers, making it a great way to show off your brand in a fun and engaging way.
LinkedIn - Networking Is Still Netting You Business
While not many people think of LinkedIn as a social network, it is one of the most important business social media apps that you can use. It’s the go-to for B2B marketing, and it’s a great way to find new customers and connect with others in your industry. You can choose to post regular updates, share your ideas and content, or even host discussions in the LinkedIn Groups feature.
Summing up
Social media offers a lot of potential for businesses. The trick is to be strategic about which channels you focus on and how you use them. Choose the channels where your audience is, then build a strategy for how you’re going to engage with them. The best way to do this is to start by learning from those who have come before you. By studying how other companies are using social media and what has worked for them, you can figure out which channels are right for your company and how you can be most successful on each one. When you do this, you’ll be able to better connect with your customers, drive customer loyalty, and boost your sales. Visit SYP.net to learn more about networking and marketing tips and advice for smart and young professionals.