If you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of apps and online personas, you’re definitely not alone. It's hard to stay updated on the internet, even for me, a Gen Z’er. That’s why it’s important to really understand what each platform is and what it stands for.
We’re going to break it down platform by platform for you so you can make the best decision for your business.
I don’t know about you, but when I think of Facebook, I think of people oversharing their lives, starting drama with family members, and stalking their exes (I can’t be the only one, right?). But, when used correctly, Facebook can be a great tool for your business.
Facebook is basically the foundation of modern social media. You can use it to post anything from text, images, gifs, videos, stories, etc. It’s flexible and can be extremely helpful for finding information as you can put every single detail of your business on your page.
The demographics on this site are vast and reach multitudes of people which means almost every business should have a Facebook page, and it is especially great for restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores, tattoo parlors, spas, discos and literally every other type of company.
Instagram is purely image and video based with space for providing additional copy. 67% of users are between the ages of 18-29, so if your audience is Zooomer-Millennial, this is the place to be. Posts should be on brand, designed, engaging, and intentional, keeping text short and sweet.
An added bonus with Instagram is that if you already have a Facebook you can link your accounts. If you post something to Instagram, you can have it automatically posted to Facebook (and Twitter!), and this works with stories as well.
Instagram is another great platform for a variety of businesses, but its most popular brand types are fashion, beauty (makeup, cosmetics, health), creative (art, design, architecture, home decor), and food and drink (high end/niche restaurants and liquor).
Twitter content is limited to 280 characters and allows images, videos, and links. Only 34% of users are female, while 66% are male, and 80% are millennials. Twitter is very fast-paced which is great for connecting with your followers and engaging with them on a regular basis. Retweeting is literally the easiest thing to do, and unlike other popular social sites, posting multiple times a day is encouraged for relevancy.
The brands that thrive the most on Twitter are technology, gaming, humor, affordable fashion, and fast food. Your content should be funny, educational, and interactive with your audience.
Being the female Millennial/Zoomer that I am (someone tell me what 1999 is already!), Pinterest is my absolute favorite. This shouldn’t be a shock as 42% of all women in the US are on this magical site, and 71% of all users are female. Most pinners range anywhere from 16 to 40 years old.
I’m sure you already know what kinds of content flourishes on Pinterest, but I’ll lay it out for you anyway. Pinterest is the culmination of people’s aesthetic goals, dream weddings, home inspiration, and fashion influences. Strong visuals are key! Just like Twitter, high interaction is necessary; that means repinning, commenting, liking, the whole nine yards. If your business is centered around art, design, fashion, DIY, beauty, health, cooking, baking, wellness, fitness, and anything lifestyle, then you need to get on Pinterest right now!
TikTok
TikTok is the newest app in this list and also one of the most popular as it’s the most downloaded non-gaming app in the App Store and Google Play. This social media site is overrun with teens and young adults as 60% of users are 16-24 years young.
All of the content on TikTok is made up of videos with the focus of entertaining. If you’re trying to sell your product and you’re not either doing the renegade or wipe challenge then sorry, but this is not the app for you. All joking aside, pushing your brand and being too corporate will not fly here. These kids are looking to be amused, not marketed to.
Snapchat
A lot of companies are missing out on the benefits of placing their ads on Snapchat. 78% of 18-24 year olds on the internet use this app, and almost 71% of them use it multiple times per day. That’s a ton of screen time, which means a greater chance of them seeing your ads.
If your brand is geared towards younger folks, consider using Snapchat to sell your brand. You may also be interested in creating an account where you can really get personal with your closest followers to offer special deals, sneak peaks, and behind the scenes into your company.
YouTube
Did you know that YouTube holds second place for the most popular search engine? It is used by 73% of all adults in the US. People are looking to YouTube for information, education, and entertainment.
If your business is creating (or wanting to create) videos that are engaging and helpful, then YouTube is perfect for you! This can be a great space for product reviews, tutorials on using your products, testimonials, and even fun personality videos to let your audience in on your brand’s culture.
Final Thoughts
If all of these statistics and information sound overwhelming to you, that’s because they kind of are! That’s why we exist -- to help take the stress off of your shoulders and assure you that your social media presence is in good hands. And if you're still having doubts and questions, give us a chat, connect with us on our socials and we’d love to help put your mind at ease.
Join the Conversation
Which Social Networking site would best fit your brand and why?
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