This blog was first published on April 15, 2022 by contributor jehess2 and was updated by contributor Lucas Petropoulos on May 10 2024
Information from this blog was stitched together from HubSpot Blog, Semrush Blog, and Hootsuite Blog.
Have you noticed how some social media handles seem to have a knack for staying on top of social media trends. You're fast, but they're faster. Perhaps you even saw it first from a post they made.
It can be painful scrolling through social media and seeing companies and influencers promoting their content that is on another social media site that you have never heard of. The first thought running through your mind might be, “I just learned how to use all of the features on Instagram, and now I have to learn how to use ANOTHER site?!”
Don’t stress too much because a lot of those platforms might not be useful in the marketing world for your particular business. We are here to tell you about every social media platform that is essential for you and your business to be successful.
Top Social Media Platforms
While there are a certain few social media sites that are good for business, keep in mind that everyone’s marketing needs differ and you’ll have to figure out what fits yours the best. An easy place to start is the age of your target market. This category can really help narrow down which sites will be most beneficial.
1. Facebook
The 3.065 billion users should be enough to convince you to make a Facebook profile. The abundance of people on the platform makes this site perfect to reach a maximum-sized audience. The features are pretty basic, which makes it easy to use. Additionally, Facebook is perfect for those businesses trying to reach a generally older audience above 35 years of age.
One of the most business-friendly features on Facebook is Facebook Marketplace. This allows any user to sell their personal belongings as well as businesses to sell their products. This feature even allows you to create your own ads.
2. Instagram
Instagram has an extremely large number of users, 2.3 billion to be exact, and is another great place for businesses to make the most of the advantageous marketing features. Along with the option to post photos, videos, stories, and reels, Instagram is influencer central. If you are targeting Gen Z, this app will be your ultimate go-to friend.
Along with the many ways to post, shop and explore, Instagram reels is a great way to generate video content that is short and attention grabbing. It’s a great way to allow your consumers to stay in their Instagram app but still do some shopping. Likewise, brand endorsements are commonplace and there are countless opportunities to work with influencers of various sizes. It’s a great way for brands to promote their products to a larger audience if their bank account allows for it.
3. LinkedIn
With its 1 billion users sprawled across over 200 countries, LinkedIn is a great place for a company to create a profile and connect with other companies and employees. It differs from the first two because it isn’t a place to sell products, but rather a platform to communicate and recruit.
The main draw of LinkedIn is its ability to allow individuals to build their personal brand and demonstrate their previous and current experience. A strong LinkedIn profile is crucial when searching for employment as it adds a layer of professionalism, allowing users to come off as more authentic and transparent (Samorodin, 2024). Become one of the 49 million users that scour LinkedIn for jobs weekly, largely in part to its designated job search feature (Shepherd, 2024).
4. TikTok
Home to a cool 900 million followers, TikTok is a great opportunity for brands to create some engaging marketing content. What makes this app so great is its algorithm which will specifically curate content for its users based on what they like. In other words, it will bring your content to your exact target market without you having to do any of that work. It’s truly a genius marketing strategy! For more information about marketing with TikTok, check out my colleague Israel's blog post for additional information here.
One size doesn't fit all: Selecting the Right Platforms for You
These sites are all great tools to help with the growth of your business. Social media posts are such a great alternative to expensive marketing ad campaigns.
The trends of social media are forever constantly changing and can be hard to keep up with. Trying your best to stay on top of these changes in order to deliver optimal content to your audience will make your social media presence worth your while. However, keep in mind that not all social media platforms are the right fit for your target market.
Truly understanding your brand and the needs of its audience will help you figure out which sites your business needs.
Resources
Ofiwe, Michelle. (2021, August 5). 6 Social Media Sites to Use for Your Business. Semrush. https://www.semrush.com/blog/social-media-sites/
Bump, P. (2022, January 3). 7 new social media platforms marketers should watch in 2022. HubSpot. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/new-social-media
Cyca, M. (2022, April 7). 15 New Social Media Apps & Platforms You might not know about. Hootsuite. https://blog.hootsuite.com/new-social-media-apps-platforms/
Samorodin, V. (2024, February 15). Why do people use linkedin? 🤔. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-do-people-use-linkedin-volodymyr-samorodin-sahyf/
41 essential linkedin statistics you need to know in 2024. (n.d.). https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/linkedin-statistics
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