Consider that each social media platform has a distinct culture.
Which Social Media Platforms Should You Be Using?
No matter where you’re at in your social media strategy – just starting out or been going for a while – it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re using the best platforms for your business. That being said, how do you know which social media platforms are the best ones?
Let’s take a look at some quick steps you can take to analyze where to begin or what, if any, adjustments need to be made.
Pick a manageable set of social media platforms
. There are so many different social networks available that it’s easy to get caught up in all of them. The truth is, it doesn’t always make sense to be on every one, and it can be a huge time investment if you decide to be. Try 2-3 networks at a time, so you don’t become overwhelmed.
Get to know each of the networks
. Not all of the platforms serve the same demographic or the same type of content. For instance, LinkedIn skews toward business communication rather than personal. Snapchat audiences lean much younger than those on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. You can learn a lot about each network by spending a little time on it yourself. Once you have a grasp on how each social media platform ticks, you may find it easier to know which ones best fit your business.
Define your goals
. Are you using social media to generate brand awareness, or do you want to use it to drive more sales? Depending on your goals, you may be better off on one network over another. Since you’ve gotten to know the networks a little better, you may already have an idea of which ones can best serve your objectives.
Analyze your social media performance
. The majority of social networks provide you with some level of data for your account, including which posts got the most engagement, which ones drove traffic, and how often you’re gaining more followers. It’s a good idea to keep track of these numbers, because it can tell you a lot about how your content is resonating on each platform. If you find that one community is more active than another, you may decide to spend more of your time (or publish more frequently) on that one. However, if you find that your content isn’t performing well on a social network, you may also need to revise the type of posts or your language to better engage those followers.
Try something new, if it makes sense
. If you’ve been using social media for a while and you’re thinking about adding another platform or switching one out, then give it a try and analyze performance again. Just remember to have patience when starting something new, because it can take a few months to grow and understand your new community.
Have questions about starting out on social media platforms or revising your strategy for optimum performance? Reach out to us and we’ll be happy to discuss your social marketing, or leave us a comment below.