Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Tiktok… These come to your mind whenever you hear “Social media!” However, there is something new you should know; there will be more than 150 functioning social media channels in 2022.
In 2020, it was advised that you should be able to know about 75 social media channels as a company owner. But then, understanding them is just one thing; more important is “which one do you start with?” and “which one is best for business.”
There are a lot of social media channels out there, and it can be tough to decide which ones are right for your business. You want to choose the channels that will give you the most reach and engagement with your target audience.
There are a few things you can do to help you choose the best social media channels for your business. First, look at your target audience and see where they are most active. If they’re on Facebook, that’s probably a good channel for you to be on. If they’re on Twitter, then that’s another channel you should consider. You can also look at your competitors to see which channels they’re using and how they’re using them.
You wouldn’t want to open a social media channel and shut it down after realising it is not the right one for your business. So whether you are just starting or want to expand your social media channels, below are some questions you should answer to kick you off to a good start.
What Business are You Running?
First things first! What business are you running? This is important because the type of business you run can decide the content you produce, which will further determine which social media channel best suits your business.
Look at your brand persona, products or services, and business type; these should influence your platform choice. Individuals should consider LinkedIn before any other. However, this doesn’t mean you should stick to LinkedIn. Every business has so much to profit from every social media forum.
Why are You on Social Media?
The initial cause you want to join social media can impact which channel you join. For instance, many channels will work fine if you are in it for striking images and videos of your products/services. Also, many channels will work fine f you are in it for client consent.
Where is Your Target Audience?
This is among the most crucial questions. If your audience is not on a particular platform, there is no reason to bounce into it. For example, it is comprehended that Facebook has the most active users. However, your audience may be less on Facebook based on your business. This leads to the next question.
What Type of Content are You Creating?
Different content works better on other platforms. So, knowing the social media channel that suits your business the most is crucial.
For example, short video content that targets young audiences should be more on Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. However, if the videos are a bit longer and more mature, there are no better platforms than Twitter and Facebook. In addition, Pinterest is the best for promoting photo-based content for B2C.
Where are Your Competitors Hanging?
This is not only a step to decide which channel you should go for but also a step that significantly impacts setting up your social media strategy. There are three things to look into under this. First, what platforms are they using? Second, which platform is working best for them? And lastly, what is the number of engagements for each forum?
Checking your competitors and what works best for them is helpful, not because you should do exactly what they do and how they do it, but because it gives you an idea of where to start and know what you should do better.
Every social media channel needs time and devotion. So the last question you should ask yourself is, “do you have all the necessary resources before opening a new social media channel?”
Once you add a new social media channel for your business, try and make content that communicates with the platform’s audience. Having several social media channels doesn’t mean you must publish exact content through all platforms.
There are a lot of social media channels out there, and it can be overwhelming to try to figure out which ones are right for your business. However, by taking the time to research and figure out which channels your target market is using, you can narrow down your options and choose the best channels for your business. Once you’ve chosen your channels, stay active and engaged with your audience to build relationships and grow your business.
