With high number of different social media platforms for marketing available, it can be difficult for you to select the right one for your business. You may want to use all of them, but the fact is that some social media platforms are more suitable for marketing than others.It means that you need to ensure that you’re using the right social media platform depending on the target audience for your business.
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This way, your marketing campaigns will be more effective in terms of reach, conversions, and the amount of revenue that your business will generate. In this article, you will be learning about the best social media platforms for marketing, the kind of audience they can help you reach, and the goals they can help you accomplish.
What is Social Media Marketing?
Social media marketing is a digital marketing strategy that reaches the targeted segment of users for marketing and branding a product or service. You need to figure out the right metrics to track the performance of your campaigns. The key strategies include:
- Releasing various forms of post including videos, images etc. that put out the word about your brand and product.
- Actively engaging in the comments, shares, and likes of your audience and keeping up your reputation.
- Being in constant touch with followers, customers, and influencers through networking.
- Leveraging paid social media advertising to reach larger segment of audience
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Next, let’s look into the benefits of social media marketing.
Benefits of Social Media Marketing
The number of people using social media platforms globally has been rising for the past decade.The number of active social media users is expected to hit 3 billion before the end of 2020.
Some of the leading social media platforms in terms of population include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. These platforms have reshaped the lives of people in terms of the way they communicate and exchange content on the internet.Your customers are already interacting with brands from your competitors on social media.It means that if you don’t speak to your customers on social media platforms, you will miss out.
- Humanize your brand: When you interact with your prospects or audience through social media, it helps to share more about the brand and create a connection with them.
- Drive traffic: You can promote your blogs or other web pages and get more visitors to your company website through social media.
- Generate leads and customers: Targeted approach through posts can convert more prospects to customers by spreading the word on your company.
- Drive brand awareness: Posts that talk about the need for your product and how it solves the problems will help to drive more awareness.
- Build useful relationships: Understanding what attracts the attention of your prospects will help you create relationships with the right segment of audience.
Creating Your Social Media Marketing Plan
It’s time to implement your social media marketing plan now that you understand its fundamentals. Your plan for social media marketing serves as a guide for implementing your approach. It gives structure to your work so you can assess your progress and ensure that you’re allocating your resources effectively. This is how to draft a plan for your social media marketing:
Select the platforms you want to use
Make your selections taking into account your bandwidth, your industry’s prominent platforms, and your target audience. Limit the amount of platforms you take on that you can manage yourself. As soon as you have the feel of them, you may always start with one and gradually add more.
Establish goals and objectives
These should ideally be easy to accomplish at first, such as posting once a day for a month, setting up your profiles, or conducting a competitive analysis. You’ll be able to establish more precise and calculated objectives, such as growing your following by X% or publishing X [material kinds you’ve discovered your audience like] monthly, if you get into a routine and accumulate data.
Report and make adjustments on a regular basis
Utilize the data each site provides to determine which posts receive the most interaction, whether you are gaining more followers, and the demographics of your audience. Use what works, expand upon it, and eliminate what doesn’t.
Top Social Media Marketing Platforms
Here is the list of social media marketing platforms that you can consider marketing your brand on:
- YouTube
- Snapchat
- Tumblr
- TikTok
- Threads by Instagram
- WhatsApp Business
- Telegram
- Twitch
1. Facebook
Facebook has more than 2.27 billion active monthly users, which makes it your number one choice for a social media marketing platform.With the Facebook Ads Manager, you can create ads that target users based on factors such as age, location, gender, relationship status, level of education, interests, job title, purchase behaviour, device usage, etc.
Facebook also allows you to create Custom Audiences from the list of phone numbers or email addresses that you’ve collected to reach the current customers.You can also use Facebook Pixel to target the customers who have visited your website.A Facebook business page is a must for each company, but ensure that you update your page regularly.
2. Twitter
Twitter has an average of 186 million daily active users.
It is a fast-paced platform, and many users visit it to get new information.It makes it a good marketing platform for companies that publish original content regularly.Twitter also makes it easy for its users to share links to new blog posts and pages, and if you do it regularly, you will send users directly to your new content.If you develop the habit of sharing useful and informative content from other sources, you will create your reputation as an authority in your industry.
3. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is known as the primary social networking site for professionals.
You can use it to update your customers on your business, recruit new team members, and connect with industry partners.Since it’s a professional network, it makes the best choice for B2B social media marketing.Forbes ranks it as the best platform for generating leads, and it accounts for 46% of the social media traffic that generates on company websites for B2B firms.
4. Instagram
Instagram is owned by Facebook, and it boasts of more than a million monthly active users.It has similar advertising options as Facebook.
Instagram is a visual platform that allows you to showcase the personality of your business.It is not a text-heavy platform, and it doesn’t allow links within posts.The good thing is that you have access to several tools that you can use to improve the creative experience of your audience.Instagram is the best platform for your business if you need to reach your customers through photos and videos.You can post photos of your products in use and ask your followers to do the same.
Instagram hashtags are also a great way for marketers to reach a wider audience, and this audience can be expanded further, through the Instagram stories or Instagram Live Video feature.Instagram also provides advertising options for businesses, which are accessible through Facebook.
5. YouTube
YouTube has over 2 billion registered users.It is the best social media platform for highlighting the company culture and creating tutorials and demonstrations.
If your company is capable of creating its content, YouTube can be a great platform for connecting to users.Apart from the views that you get directly on the platform, you can also use YouTube to host videos to be embedded to your site.Visual content is an effective way of engaging site visitors. It gives you a reason to create an account on YouTube.
6. Pinterest
Pinterest has over 400 million monthly active users, and it’s a social media platform for sharing products.
If you have an eCommerce business, Pinterest is a MUST for you.87% of pinners have purchased an item because of Pinterest.You can upload individual photos alongside short descriptions and links to the product page.Pinterest also has a built-in shopping feature that makes it easier for businesses to promote their products on their site.
The marketer can use rich pins to give context to a product, article, recipe, and app pins, and use their advertising options to reach more users.It gives marketers an easy way of directing traffic to their product pages and connecting with potential customers.
7. Reddit
Reddit has more than 430 million monthly active users.
It is a good platform for audience or content reach and interacting with niche audiences.Reddit provides users with similar interests with a platform where they can share ideas.The users can share links, content, or ask questions on topic groups known as subreddits.The good thing is that there are subreddits for nearly any topic.
Marketers can use Reddit as a research tool to know what their audience is talking about and then create content based on that.Other than research, Reddit provides its users with advertising options to help them get their businesses in front of interested users.
8. Snapchat
Snapchat has more than 238 million daily active users.
It is a good platform for sending real-time updates and promoting events.Snapchat allows its users to post photos and videos that remain active on the platform for 24 hours.It makes it good for businesses that need to promote timely events, like product launches or a conference.
It also allows marketers to create custom, branded geotags to promote events in particular locations during a particular period.Snapchat is a well-known platform for an audience that skews younger, making it the best platform to target college students.
9. Tumblr
Tumblr is a microblogging platform that does not perfectly fit in the list of social media platforms, but it’s a site to help you reach a target audience aged between 16 and 34 years.
It has 507.2 million registered blogs.Tumblr has the youngest demographic of all social media sites, and its users are very active.However, if you’re not familiar with the platform, it can be challenging for you to market your brand on it.
10. TikTok
TikTok social media platform has more than 689 million monthly active users from across the globe.
It is a good platform to help you give users a peek behind your business scenes and take part in viral trends.It allows its users to share short videos for various purposes.These short videos can be of viral dances, quick tutorials, and comedic kits.Other than sharing videos about your business, you can also use TikTok’s advertising features to promote your business.
11. Threads by Instagram
Instagram’s Threads app, launched on July 5, 2023, offers a text-based platform reminiscent of Twitter but with unique features that integrate closely with Instagram. It’s a space where users can share ideas, engage in public conversations, and connect with communities over shared interests.
Threads stands out with its 500-character limit for posts, which can include photos, videos, and links, offering a richer content experience than Twitter’s 280-character limit. The app also boasts spatial computing, allowing virtual interactions in a shared augmented reality space. Another unique feature is Thread’s deep integration with Instagram. Upon joining, users can automatically follow the same accounts they do on Instagram, ensuring a seamless transition and immediate content flow.
Threads is completely free to download and use, with no hidden charges or paywalls. It’s available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and requires an Instagram account to join.
12. WhatsApp Business
With its simple interface and widespread adoption, WhatsApp Business has evolved into a powerful tool for businesses aiming to enhance their customer engagement and marketing strategies.
Businesses can create a detailed profile that includes contact information, a business description, and a catalog. This helps them to present a professional image to their customers. Automated messages, quick replies, and labels are also available to streamline communication and ensure timely and organized responses to customer inquiries. Additionally, the Catalogs and Collections feature allows businesses to showcase their products or services directly within the app, providing a smooth and hassle-free shopping experience for customers.
13. WeChat
WeChat stands as a multifaceted social media marketing platform, deeply integrated into the daily lives of over a billion users, primarily in China. Developed by Tencent, it’s a powerhouse that combines messaging, social media, and financial transactions, making it an indispensable tool for businesses aiming to tap into the Chinese market. Unique features like WeChat Mini Programs allow businesses to offer a seamless blend of social content and e-commerce within the app, enhancing customer engagement. WeChat Pay, the platform’s payment system, further simplifies transactions for a vast user base.
For businesses, setting up an Official Account is the gateway to WeChat marketing, with two types available: Subscription accounts for content dissemination and Service accounts for sales and customer service. While the sign-up is free, overseas businesses face a yearly verification fee of $99 to maintain their account and access advanced features.
14. Telegram
Telegram, a cloud-based messaging app, has carved a niche for itself in the crowded social media landscape. Launched in 2013, it has become known for its emphasis on privacy and security, boasting features like end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages.
One of Telegram’s standout features is its Channels and Groups, which can host up to 200,000 members, making it a powerful tool for broadcasting messages to a large audience. This is particularly useful for businesses and influencers looking to engage with their followers on a massive scale. Additionally, Telegram’s Bot API allows developers to create bots that can automate tasks, provide updates, and even handle payments, further enhancing its utility for both personal and professional use.
Telegram’s pricing model is another aspect that sets it apart. The platform is free for users, with no ads or subscription fees, making it an attractive option for both personal and business use. However, the company has hinted at introducing premium features in the future, which could provide additional functionalities for a fee.
15. Twitch
Twitch is a social media marketing behemoth with over 15 million daily active users and the world’s largest online video game streaming platform. Owned by Amazon, Twitch is a hub for video game live-streaming, eSports competitions, and gaming-related talk shows. Its unique features include the ability for streamers to engage with their audience through live chat, creating a highly interactive experience. Streamers can monetize their content through various methods, including subscriptions, which start at $4.99 per month, and the use of ‘Bits,’ a virtual good that viewers can purchase to cheer in chat.
The platform’s pricing model is advantageous for creators, with the potential for income through sponsorships, ad revenue, and tips. However, Twitch takes a significant commission of 50% on the money streamers make, which is a notable limitation compared to other platforms. Additionally, while Twitch offers a plethora of content beyond gaming, such as music and cooking streams, it is primarily known for its gaming community, which may limit its appeal to non-gaming audiences.
Limitations of Using Social Media Marketing Platforms
Although social media marketing platforms provide marketers with an opportunity to expose their brands to potential customers, they are associated with a number of challenges.
Some of the challenges of using social media marketing platforms include the following:
Not Built for Business
The social media marketing platforms were not built for business, but for connecting two or more people.Social media users don’t have “buying-intent”.
Costly
It’s costly to create and run marketing ads on social media platforms. The ad costs also increase as you target a wider audience.
Time-Consuming
A lot of time is required to run social media marketing ads.One has to stay active and engage potential customers constantly.
Technical Expertise Needed
Technical know-how is needed for one to design, create, and run social media ads.If you don’t have it, it may be a challenge for you to market on social media marketing platforms.
Conclusion
In this article, you’ve learned why you should use social media marketing platforms, and you’ve discovered the top social media marketing platforms available today.But, if you want to integrate your marketing data from multiple platforms and then analyse your performance, then try Hevo Data.
Hevois the only real-time ELT No-code Data pipeline platform that cost-effectively automates data pipelines that are flexible to your needs. It supports pre-built integration from 150+ data sources.
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Share your experience of using Social Media Marketing Platforms in the comment section below.
Nicholas Samuel Freelance Technical Content Writer, Hevo Data
Skilled in freelance writing within the data industry, Nicholas is passionate about unraveling the complexities of data integration and data analysis through informative content for those delving deeper into these subjects. He has written more than 150+ blogs on databases, processes, and tutorials that help data practitioners solve their day-to-day problems.
