Social media is an excellent way to help grow your business and your brand. With so many different options it can be easy to think you should utilize every one right away, but spreading yourself too thin can be as big of a mistake as not using social media at all. It’s a better idea to take some time and do a little research to see which social media platform is right for your business.
According to its website, Pinterest is “a content sharing service that allows members to ‘pin’ images, videos and other objects to their pinboard.” This social media site has primarily female users and works best if your business relies heavily on images and other visual content. If you’re company is involved in fashion, wedding planning, interior design, travelling, or food then by utilizing pinterest and professional quality, stunning photography you can give your business an excellent boost with this platform.
If you haven’t heard of Facebook you may have been living under a rock for a few years. Facebook is one of the largest and most influential social media platforms on the web today. Almost any business can see a boost to their brand or their company by correctly utilizing Facebook. Using Facebook incorrectly can be a problem, however, and it’s best to get a good idea of how to use it correctly before diving into it.
Facebook for your business is intended to give your brand an approachable face behind the name. It’s a way to give your business a personality and to become more accessible to your clients. If you use Facebook simply as a way to advertise your products or services you won’t gain any loyal followers and your business may start to seem annoying or spammy.
The best way to use Facebook is to portray your business as friendly and welcoming. Posting pictures of your company helping out at a soup kitchen or your coworkers having a drink with some clients will illustrate that your customers are more than just people who pay you for services, they’re valued and significant.
LinkedIn is the online version of classic networking. With a LinkedIn profile you can connect with clients, other businesses, and anyone who might be a beneficial connection for yourself or your business. By connecting with others on LinkedIn you become a part of their online business networking and if they are ever in need of your services (or if you’re ever in need of theirs!) they’ll know exactly where to find you.
YouTube
YouTube is another platform that relies heavily on visual content. It is watched around the globe and videos are posted daily with users hoping that their video will be the next big viral sensation. YouTube can be tricky though because with so many videos posted every day it can be difficult to compete and make your business stand out.
It’s a good idea to take a look at some of the other videos on YouTube that have generated a lot of hits and see what makes them interesting before you jump into posting your business’ video. If you can find a way to showcase your business in a unique and interesting way you can be sure to benefit from this visual social media platform.
Twitter is a very unique social platform because everything happens quickly and in real-time. With Twitter you have a continuous online conversation with all of your followers. It is useful for businesses that want to be able to post real-time updates, questions, and news and have their followers respond and give their input.
Like Facebook, Twitter must be maintained regularly or it will be useless. The last thing you need is for a customer to ask a relevant question or retweet an important update without a response from your business. This can cause your business to seem distant or unreachable, the exact opposite of the intention of social media.
Social media is an incredibly important aspect to any business. Choosing one or two platforms to start is a smart idea so that you don’t spread yourself too thin. However, it’s always a good idea to make sure that you know which platforms will offer the most benefits for your business and once you get started be sure that you have someone maintaining it regularly so that you don’t appear distant and unapproachable.
