If you are quickly asked about some social media platforms, what names will first come to your mind? Chances are, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter made your list. You also thought of LinkedIn, Snapchat, or TikTok.
Now, imagine not just these few. There are several different platforms if you are thinking about branding.
Social media strategy has become essential to digital marketing, so you must choose the correct social platform. You need to have a robust online presence to reach customers. And more is needed to invest in proper social media management. You also have to use the right platforms.
Nevertheless, today, there are many social media platforms available to businesses, and the decision-making process regarding each one usually requires a reasonable amount of time and effort.
This article examines the top 9 social media platforms you must try in 2024 and explores how to use them to grow your business effectively.
The 9 most popular social media platforms in 2024
Let’s delve into the top contenders in the social media arena:
1. Facebook: (Monthly Active Users: 3.05 Billion)
The OG social media platform remains a dominant force. Facebook offers diverse features – from newsfeed posts and groups to live streams and marketplace functionality. Businesses can leverage Facebook to:
Build brand awareness: Reach a vast audience and establish a strong brand presence.
Foster community: Create groups and discussions to cultivate a loyal following.
Increase visitors to your website: To entice people to visit your website, provide specials and relevant material.
Create leads: Use Facebook Lead Ads to obtain essential client data.
2. YouTube: (Monthly Active Users: 2.49 Billion)
The second-largest search engine in the world, YouTube, offers many business opportunities. It works well for producing:
Videos that educate your audience about your goods, services, or sector should be informative.
Product demos: Highlight the features and demonstrate how your products work.
Videos that explain your brand’s narrative should emotionally engage your audience.
Influencer marketing: To reach a larger audience, collaborate with relevant YouTubers.
3. Instagram: (Monthly Active Users: 2.04 Billion)
Instagram is ideal for businesses selling visually appealing things (fashion, food, vacation), as it is a medium of striking visuals. How to Succeed on Instagram:
Beautiful Profile: Create a visually stunning profile that reflects your company’s values.
Interactive Stories: Share surveys, behind-the-scenes pics, and product teasers on Instagram Stories.
Captivating Reels: Make short, creative videos showcasing your brand’s essence.
Shoppable Posts: Enable purchases through Instagram Shopping. Also, use instagram likes to boost engagement and visibility.
4. TikTok: (Monthly Active Users: 1.22 Billion)
Younger audiences dominate TikTok, where short-form video content is highly engaging. Here are some examples of how companies might use it:
Trendy Challenges: To increase brand visibility, participate in well-liked challenges or start your own.
Behind-the-Scenes: Provide interesting tidbits about the team tales, production process, or company culture.
Product Demos: Create engaging and imaginative short films to highlight your products.
Influencer Collaborations: To gain credibility and connect with a younger audience, collaborate with TikTok creators who share similar interests.
5. WhatsApp: (Monthly Active Users: 2.78 Billion)
Despite not being a typical social networking site, WhatsApp is an effective communication tool due to its large user base. Businesses can do the following here:
Customer service: Use chat chats to offer immediate assistance to customers.
Targeted Marketing: Send promotions and messages to a specific audience using WhatsApp Business tools (with user opt-in).
Exclusive material: Reward devoted clients who subscribe to your WhatsApp channel with early access to promotions or exclusive material.
6. LinkedIn: (Monthly Active Users: 424 Million)
The platform for professional networking is a unique chance to meet possible partners, customers, and influential people in the business. This is how to dominate LinkedIn:
Thought Leadership: Provide excellent material highlighting your knowledge and establishing your company as an expert in your industry.
Company Page Optimization: Create an engaging website highlighting your culture, values, and job prospects.
Networking and Engagement: Connect with possible partners, participate in pertinent discussions, and actively participate in industry groups.
7. Pinterest: (Monthly Active Users: 465 Million)
An image-driven platform focused on discovery and inspiration, Pinterest is ideal for businesses in visually appealing industries (home decor, fashion, DIY). Here’s how to use Pinterest effectively:
Make Eye-Catching Pins: Provide superior images that highlight your goods and services or motivate customers in a relevant way to your business.
Optimize Boards: Assemble information into pertinent boards that address the interests of your intended audience.
Run Ads: Use Pinterest ads to reach your desired demographic and increase traffic to your website or landing pages.
8. Twitter: (Monthly Active Users: 550 Million)
Breaking news and in-the-moment discussions are what drive this platform. Companies can use Twitter for:
Customer service: Quickly address concerns and questions from customers.
Industry Insights: To establish yourself as a thought leader, share pertinent industry news and insights.
Live Tweeting Events: Live tweets are used to conduct industry events or host Q&A sessions.
Creating a Compelling Brand Voice: Craft a distinctive, captivating voice that appeals to your target market.
9. Reddit: (Monthly Active Users: 430 Million)
A network of online communities built around specific topics, Reddit can be a goldmine for businesses willing to participate authentically. Here are some strategies:
Community Engagement: Join relevant subreddits and participate in discussions organically, offering valuable insights and avoiding promotional language.
Industry Expertise: Answer user questions and demonstrate your expertise in a helpful and informative way.
Monitor Brand Sentiment: Utilize Reddit to gauge brand sentiment and identify potential areas for improvement.
The Bottom Line
Having determined which social media channels would work best for your company, it’s time to implement your digital marketing strategy.
Establish your social media profiles and accounts first. Ensure they have a link to your company’s website or offer page and provide a contact way.
Be authentic and interact with them as yourself. Remember that marketing and business are about serving people.
Select the social media channel where your intended audience is most engaged, and regularly post helpful content there.
You will be successful if you concentrate on providing value and interacting with your audience.