It can seem like social media controls everything in today’s world. Even more so for small business owners, and when it comes to deciding which platform is the best for your business, it can be daunting. There are so many platforms to choose from, and with a new one popping up every other week, you might be asking yourself, how do I keep up with this? Look no further! In this post we will explore the key elements any business must consider when deciding which social media platform is best for them and how to maintain it.
It’s a no brainer, social media is the most effective marketing method for small businesses today, you should 100% be using it. But as a business, you cannot just jump in headfirst. You should consider three key things before deciding on which platform to go with:
What type of business do you have?
According to Forbes.com, you should consider if you are business-to-business (B2B) or a business-to-consumer (B2C) business first. Depending on your type, different platforms would be more ideal. For example, if you are a B2B, then a platform like LinkedIn might be the best choice because it allows you to interact and reach more businesses rather than Instagram where you would encounter businesses and people.
Who is your target market?
You must know your target market before researching different platforms because based on your ideal demographic, different people will use different platforms in their daily life. Use your demographics to determine who is using your product and who is more inclined to be interested in your business. From there, see where your target audience spends their time. In other words, determine which platform is your audience using the most.
What other types of digital marketing are you already utilizing?
You need to be consistent in all forms of digital marketing. This is why it is key to see how you are using other forms such as your website and/or email to reach clients. Make sure you have a strong understanding and a hold on how to use these elements effectively before expanding into other forms of digital marketing.
Do you feel confident in these three key elements?
Then you’re ready to find the perfect social media platform for your business. When deciding, you should keep these three elements in your mind while also considering some added elements:
What are your competitors doing?
Research which platforms your competitors are using. See what types of posts they create, how they reach new clients, and what they are successful at and not successful at. Use this information to guide you in how you can utilize a social media platform.
What are your main business goals?
Review your company goals in order to stay consistent. Consider these goals when researching the focus of different platforms. Which platform aligns best with your goals? For example, if you are looking for a platform that allows you to enhance customer care, Twitter could be the right choice for you as it has proven success in providing customer feedback for businesses. (Forbes)
Now it is time to decide!
Use these different elements to help you find your perfect platform. Once you find what platform is best for your business, make sure to build a consistent social strategy that can be used across all platforms. This allows the whole process to be maintainable and organized. Utilize the available tools to assist you. There are different types of scheduling tools and content creation available for free. We highly recommend using Later for scheduling posts across multiple platforms and Canva is an easy-to-use content creation website for all types of posts.
Overall, we know this is a big decision. Remember to take it step by step and start simple. Find the perfect platform for your business, practice, and figure out what works best for you. Once you feel confident with this, then move on and expand your use of platforms.
If you are still struggling in finding the best platform for your business, feel free to drop us an email at hi@ansleymediaco.com.