Connect with us

SOCIAL

TECH TALK WITH MIKE: Which social media platform is best for business?

Published

on

tech-talk-with-mike:-which-social-media-platform-is-best-for-business?
Mike Gingerich

It’s the million-dollar question. Almost every business owner understands the benefits of social media. Some have already seen the sales benefits of social media success. From increased exposure to more leads and greater revenue, you stand to potentially benefit greatly. However, there are currently numerous social media networks, according to Influencer Marketing Hub. So, which social media platform should your business be using?

In reality, there’s not just one right answer to this question. The best social media platform for one brand may not necessarily be the best social media network to focus on for the next business.

HOW TO CHOOSE

To determine what’s best for your business, you need to answer four questions: are you B2B (business to business) or B2C (business to consumer)? Who is your target audience? What social media do they use the most? And, what are your social media marketing goals?

ARE YOU B2B OR B2C?

If you’re not aware of the distinction, B2B (business-to-business) companies sell to other companies, while B2C (business-to-consumer) companies sell to end consumers. Your social media marketing needs will be different depending on where you belong.

B2B companies typically use social media for brand development and lead generation. A recent study by Social Media Examiner also found that just over 50% of B2B marketers use social media to grow partnerships and gain competitor insights. As such, these businesses benefit most from social platforms designed for building professional relationships. These include LinkedIn, Facebook and occasionally Twitter.

B2C brands, meanwhile, use social media primarily to drive traffic, sales, and awareness. They strive to stand out by creating something unique and different. As a result, B2C companies are better off on social platforms that focus heavily on visual content. These include Instagram, YouTube and Facebook, largely in that order.

Advertisement

TARGET AUDIENCE

Your choice of social media platform(s) will also depend on your target audience’s identity. Remember, each social media platform has a different set of users with different expectations. Facebook users, for instance, are mostly connecting with family and friends while Twitter users are more about discovering breaking news and trending topics.

For this reason, you need to define your target audience, perhaps by creating buyer personas. Then, use the personas to determine where this “ideal” user is likely to hang out. Some of the things you want to know about your target audience include where they live, their average age, their gender, and their average income.

Knowing these details, as well as their occupation and hobbies, will help you better understand what these people look for on social media. This, in turn, will help you determine where they’re likely to spend their time.

SOCIAL MEDIA GOALS

Finally, ask yourself what you’d like to achieve from your social media presence. Why? Because you’re not just doing social media with your business merely for fun. Any business that uses social media, does so with a reason. Which more often than not ties back to the bottom line — profits, revenues, and sales.

Common social media marketing goals include brand awareness, traffic generation, boosting brand engagement, and improving customer service. Many businesses also use social media to generate sign-ups and new leads.

The social media platform(s) you choose should help you advance these goals. For instance, businesses seeking brand awareness would be wasting time on LinkedIn. Instagram and Facebook are much better options. Those seeking additional traffic, meanwhile, would be better off on YouTube as opposed to Twitter.

Advertisement

FINAL THOUGHTS

Every business needs social media in this digital age. However, you must be strategic in choosing your social platforms. Consider whether you’re B2B or B2C, know your target audience, and identify your social media goals. Otherwise, you risk wasting time and resources on platforms with little to no return on investment.

Mike Gingerich is president of Digital Hill Multimedia (www.DigitalHill.com), a Goshen, Indiana web design, web software and social media marketing firm. He is also a business blogger on tech, marketing, and growth. Find out more at www.MikeGingerich.com/blog/.

Read More

Keep an eye on what we are doing
Be the first to get latest updates and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address

SOCIAL

Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

Published

on

By

Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

Advertisement

This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

Keep an eye on what we are doing
Be the first to get latest updates and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Continue Reading

SOCIAL

Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

Published

on

Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

Advertisement



“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

Source link

Keep an eye on what we are doing
Be the first to get latest updates and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Continue Reading

SOCIAL

Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Published

on

Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

Advertisement



Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

Source link

Keep an eye on what we are doing
Be the first to get latest updates and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Continue Reading

Trending

Follow by Email
RSS