These days, you can’t escape social media.
For businesses especially, networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are fantastic (and free) ways to market your products or services, engage customers, and optimize your online visibility. However, maintaining a positive social media presence takes a lot of work and resources, and many companies are finding it difficult to keep up.
If you feel like you’re drowning in “likes,” “pins,” “shares,” and other social networking activities, it may be time to simplify. Experts agree that rather than be sub-par in a lot of places, it’s better to be amazing at a few.
In fact, online marketing master and Social Media Firm CEO Scott Levy recommends that you pick just three platforms and monitor them closely—or hire someone to do it for you. (After all, social media only works if you stay involved!)
So how do you decide which social media sites work best for your needs? Here are five of the biggest platforms and how they can pertain to your business:
Pinterest, which is a site that allows users (mostly female) to post pictures, videos and other images to their “pinboards,” is ideal for businesses that rely on visual imagery as a key selling point. For instance, if your business deals with wedding planning, specialty crafts, artwork, interior decorating, fashion or foods, then Pinterest’s niche market is a great tool for you.
LinkedIn is a professional social networking site that works wonderfully for establishing connections in the business world. Unlike Facebook, LinkedIn is not a very visible medium, but it does allow you to show transparency, ask and answer questions from other professionals, and broadcast your industry expertise.
YouTube
YouTube is a very powerful visual tool. Using the site, your company’s videos can be seen worldwide and perhaps even go viral. Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. The key to using YouTube effectively is conveying your product or the service you offer in a memorable way. No one wants to watch a boring video when there is a million others just a click away.
Twitter is a sort of ongoing conversation, like texting, that focuses on being more “in the moment.” Businesses who want to reach out to people immediately—and who are ready to respond—can use this tool to get the word out on breaking news, updates, and answers to questions by your followers. Twitter is perfect for the business that prefers to reach their customer’s directly and frequently.
Because of the sheer number of Facebook users, almost every company should be utilizing this platform. Facebook isn’t about selling your product or service, though, but instead letting customers see who you really are behind the logo. You need to be able to present your business as active, friendly and sociable.
Don’t let social media overwhelm you. Learn how to simplify and specialize so that social media becomes a valuable took rather than a burden.
