How to use each of the major social media channels

Happy Social Media Day! Founded in 2010, this holiday was formed to recognize and celebrate the impact of social media on global communication as well as small business. In honor of Social Media Day, we've decided to share some insight into some of the many social media channels that small businesses use on a daily basis to market themselves. With so many options, it’s important to recognize that not all content needs to be shared across each platform. Rather, it’s more effective to post material to each social media platform that is most relevant to the users of that specific platform.

Facebook: It is the largest platform of them all, and is great for building brand loyalty and relationships with followers by letting them know targeted information about the business such as sales, events and new product launches. It has a very strong advertising platform to reach consumers of all ages as they go through their newsfeeds. This is a good platform to post on when you have more to say.

Twitter: This is an effective platform where your business can establish a brand voice and converse directly with your audience. This is a great platform for sharing shorter messages, specifically 280 characters or less. It is used to share news and articles, with hyperlinks to your website or other content. It can also serve as a platform to address customer service issues and public relations information.

Instagram: This platform is simply focused on high resolution images that can speak “a thousand words” about your brand. The content a business shares on Instagram is a visual representation of your brand, encouraging consumers to take action. More recently, short videos have become popular as well. With the right utilization of hashtags and geotagging, potential consumers can be exposed to your brand from all over the world.

LinkedIn: This is the best platform for B2B interaction, serving as a great way to network with prospective customers as well as partners. Additionally, many users publish industry articles and trends to gain exposure and be seen as a trusted expert. It is also an invaluable resource when it comes to small businesses that are prescreening and assessing candidates for job opportunities.

Tumblr: This platform is primarily used as a blog extension for small businesses that want to share regular educational articles related to the product or service they offer. Businesses write articles that provide insight and value to potential customers who are researching and in the decision making process. As it caters to a younger population, it is recommended to be used by businesses that are marketing to younger audiences.

Pinterest: Another visual platform that enables retail and food businesses to showcase their products in a lifestyle setting. This platform makes it easy for fans to pin themselves in pictures with the products. Additionally, businesses can create organized boards with their variety of offerings and followers can re-pin to easily share your product and brand with others in a digital word-of-mouth form.

This is just a sample of the many platforms out there for small businesses to leverage for lead generation. For more specific marketing strategies tailored to your particular business, email or call us to schedule an appointment with a business advisor to discuss further.