In years gone by, using social media for a business was as simple as setting up a Facebook page, maybe a Twitter and that was it. However, times have changed and other platforms, notably Instagram, are worth considering for businesses across multiple industries. In this guide, we will explain the key demographics you will find on these various platforms and the sort of content that these platforms are best used for.
One of the fastest growing social media platforms, with over 500 million DAILY users, Instagram has come a long way from its birth as a platform purely for sharing photos. IGTV, reels, stories and more have massively advanced the platform, making it perfect for companies with a strong visual focus such as design agencies, travel companies and social influencers. With new built-in shopping features added in 2020, Instagram is becoming an invaluable platform for e-commerce businesses looking to get their products in front of new customers who are able to buy with one click.
YouTube
YouTube can often be seen by businesses as the home of viral videos and bloggers, and not necessarily a place to promote your brand. This now could not be further from the truth. Millions of businesses across industries are now using YouTube to host their podcasts, post how-to videos, share their story, share updates about their brand or show of their skills (in the case of reflexblue’s video team). YouTube is the perfect home for any business interested in educating potential and existing customers.
While the organic reach and number of engaged users on Facebook is declining among certain demographics, it can still be a very valuable platform for businesses and brands looking to grow a community around their product or service, especially within a local area. A perfect platform to charities with a community focus to grow and engage with users, to share their story. Using features like ‘Groups’ can be helpful for businesses looking to gather loyal customers together to engage with the brand and each other.
Twitter is the go-to app for news and live updated. As content on Twitter has a very short lifespan, often disappearing down a person’s feed in a matter of minutes, it is important that Twitter content is impactful to cut through the noise and remain active long after posting. However, this quick-paced nature of the platform lends itself to businesses focussed on current affairs and breaking news, a great way to jump on hot topics with your own branded content. One thing to consider is this approach to social media does require constant monitoring so can be time-consuming.
LinkedIn is the HOME of B2B social media. Less concerned with the mass appeal of Instagram and Facebook, and more concerned with making real person to person, business to business connections, LinkedIn allows you to network with other professionals from across the world. If you are in business development, sales or recruitment, LinkedIn is an incredible resource to post content and make connections that could be the key to your next business move or big client.
All of these different platforms present challenges in terms of visual design and copywriting, so you must consider that when building your social plan and use the strengths you, or your team, have to find the right channels to promote your business. If you would like advice on how YOUR business could use social media in the best possible way, drop up an email at !
