The Busy Person’s Quick and Dirty Guide to Which Social Media You Should Bother With
Unless you have a marketing team or social media specialist, chances are you just don’t have the time to analyze the different social media outlets and craft individual campaigns for each. Save time by focusing on the few that suit you and your business best.
Facebook
Facebook users represent over 70% of online adults and permeate across a broad spectrum of demographics. If you were to pick only one social media platform to devote your time to, Facebook is a safe bet. The teens may have jumped off the Facebook ship, but it still remains a strong tool to cultivate your brand and audience.
Google Plus
Much like Gmail, Google Plus appeals more to the young, tech-savvy crowd. The majority of users are single men, with a large percentage belonging to the IT crowd. If this is a desirable demographic for you, then start working on your circles!
Twitter
Twitter users tend to be younger (29 and under) since a lot of older adults don’t “get it”. If your product appeals to younger or savvy individuals, Twitter is worth looking into. It’s also a great venue for quick, time-sensitive announcements.
Pinterest
Pinterest is dominated by women, with endless pages of home ideas, recipes, fashion, and art-n-crafts. The most visually interesting pins get the most attention. If you can’t create unique or stimulating images to pin up, then don’t bother with Pinterest.
Instagram
Like Facebook, the teens are abandoning Instagram as more parents get on board. The emphasis on Instagram is beautiful imagery. A lot of professional and amateur photographers showcase their work here, but anyone with an artistic eye can do well. Try posting scenic photos with your products in action.
Snapchat
Snap-what? You know how the teens are always trying to get away from their parents online? Snapchat is one popular venue they’ve been flocking to. Think self-destructing photos. If you want to get ahead of the curve, Snapchat is a growing trend. Unlike Instagram, emphasis is on irreverence, humor, and an overall casual tone.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn users tend to be professionals between 30 and 64 years old, and in higher income ranges. People like to joke that no one uses LinkedIn unless they’re looking for a job. This may be true for many users, but it’s still not a bad venue to market business-to-business products or services.
MySpace
I can almost hear you laughing from here. It’s true MySpace has been the butt of many jokes for years thanks to its dramatic decline in relevancy. However reinvention may save them from obscurity. Musicians and recording artists are finding MySpace to be a great platform for promoting their work. If the music scene is your niche, MySpace is worth looking into.
Zoe is a web designer by day and a caped super-hero by night. Okay not really, but she really is a web designer at Nexternal with over 14 years of experience coding HTML, CSS, and other magical web things. She also enjoys helping others, which is a bit like channeling her inner hero. Google+ Profile
