Are you looking for a way to expand your business through social media? We are in an era that is social media heavy, choosing the right platforms can be a game-changer for your business. Today, we’ll go over social media strategies. We’ll discuss topics from establishing a target audience to understanding the unique strengths of each platform. Here are 4 easy steps to ensure that you find the best social media platform for your business. 

Step 1: Define your goals

Finding the best platform for your business starts with setting clear goals for your social media strategy. Having a clear endpoint makes success easier to achieve. The foundation of your business’s social media success relies heavily on the clarity of its goals. Keep in mind that each platform presents unique advantages and opportunities. By keeping your goals aligned with the distinct strengths/purposes of each platform, you are setting a good base for an effective social media presence. 

A great way to outline your short and long term goals is to use the S.M.A.R.T. goal method. It stands for Smart, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Utilizing this tool will help you keep your goals in order and accurately measure the success of your strategy.

Step 2: Identify your audience

It is important to be specific when identifying your audience. By being more specific, you will effectively tailor your content to resonate with the right audience. Precision in audience targeting, allows you to design content that speaks directly to the needs and interests of your ideal audience. Doing so will ensure maximum impact for your business goals.  Understanding the exact audience you are targeting, will ensure that you are getting quality engagement on the right channels.

Step 3: Understand the uses of the different platforms

Each social media platform has its own unique strengths and purpose.When choosing a platform for your business, consider the following key aspects:

Facebook

• 3.03 billion users; mostly females
• Ages vary; Mainly ages 25-34
• Ideal for building brand loyalty
• Its purpose is to build relationships
• The drawback is there’s a limited reach and difficulty to reach a new audience due to its large population of users

X (formerly known as Twitter)

• 666 million users; mostly males
• Ages vary; mainly ages 30-49
• Ideal for public relations
• Its purpose is for conversation and news/articles
• The drawback is there is a short life span

LinkedIn

• 930 million users; mostly males
• Mainly ages 46-55
• Ideal for business development and brand awareness
• Its purpose is for networking and news/articles
• The drawback is there is limited interactions

Instagram

• 2 billion users; mostly females
• Ages vary; mainly ages 25-34
• Ideal for lead generation; business, food, retail, entertainment, food
• Its purpose is to build relationships and conversation
• The drawback is that its for images and videos only

TikTok

• 1.2 billion users
• Ages vary; mainly ages 18-24
• Ideal for building brand loyalty and community
• Its purpose is to build relationship and conversation
• The drawback is that it’s video only and appeals to a very specific demographic

Step 4: Find your audience

You have established a target audience and learned about the purpose of different platforms. The next step is to choose the platform(s) to reach your audience and develop a content strategy that resonates with them. Start by researching the analytics of each platform and actively listening to your audience. Getting direct feedback, like surveys and polls, is a great way to understand your audiences’ evolving preferences and provide them with the corresponding content. 

In summary,  understanding your audience and the unique purposes of different platforms helps position your business for maximum impact. If you engage in these steps, you are setting your business on a well-defined roadmap to success. Recognize that success on social media isn’t about just being present on a platform; it’s about being present where it matters most to your audience.

https://aofund.org/resource/choosing-right-social-media-platform-your-business/