I like to try and be aware of trends, especially in the world of technology. It takes me a bit of time before I jump on the bandwagon. This is a double edged sword … in one way I lose out because the first people to be active are also the people who could benefit the most (i.e. the big boom with domain names). On the other hand, I haven’t wasted time or invested a lot of money until I know it’s worthwhile. The amount of technology associated with the web industry is massive. I find it important to spend the time to research and be extremely selective before promoting a web product or service to my customers. That said, I asked Hannah Sicherman to spend some time researching and comparing 6 different social media platforms. Below are a selection of Hannah’s bullet points and resources for each:
1. Instagram:
• Mainly a mobile platform to share photos and videos
• Showcases daily life, products, or behind the scenes processes
• Ability to promote posts so they reach a greater audience
• Feels more personal and creates a bond with your audience
• Ability to go live with Instagram stories
• Tag other users to interact with your network
• Use and create searchable hashtags related to your product or service
• User base is growing rapidly—much faster than social media platforms as a whole
Instagram Resources:
• http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7662-instagram-business-guide.html
• https://business.instagram.com/getting-started
2. Pinterest:
• Curate mood boards for specific topic related to your brand or mission
• Great platform for shareable content—infographics, charts, good visual content
• Ability to allow followers to contribute to your boards or create hidden boards
• A great way to draw from other’s work and interests to support your brand
• Link your content back to articles, blogs, or your website
• Use keywords and passwords to make the content you pin more accessible and searchable
Pinterest Resources:
• http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/26-tips-for-using-pinterest-for-business/
• https://www.inc.com/john-brandon/9-tips-boost-your-business-pinterest.html
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/thesba/2013/06/07/how-to-use-pinterest-for-small-business/#60c5a9594e5b
3. Twitter:
• Tweet meaningful content that keeps your audience engaged
• Add links to your tweets and tweet @ other businesses to interact
• Portray the genuine voice of your business
• Follow and get the attention of the right people, your target audience or influencers
• Use and create searchable hashtags related to your product or service
• Not heavily image-based and copy is limited as well
Twitter Resources:
• https://business.twitter.com/en/basics/manage-your-business-account.html
• http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2417634,00.asp
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenkrogue/2013/08/30/31-twitter-tips-how-to-use-twitter-tools-and-twitter-best-practices-for-business/#52f45b556248
4. Facebook Business Page:
• Resembles a website with homepages, about sections, and other tabs that followers can click through
• Connect with audience through wall posts or personal messages
• Create multimedia posts
• Pay to promote posts and advertise your page
• Tag people or businesses in your post, give credit, and share to connect with your network
• Has one of the largest user bases—700 million daily users
Facebook Resources:
• https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/dos-donts-facebook-business-infographic#sm.00001ksframnoid49ws0mjipogz3u
• http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/promote-your-business-with-facebook/
• https://startupsavant.com/facebook-for-business-101/
5. LinkedIn:
• A networking platform designed to help make connections between professionals
• Use keywords in your profile to be more easily found for certain skills or qualities
• Showcase your work by adding samples
• Share articles that are relevant to your industry and link back to your website
• It’s essentially an interactive resume, with endorsements, samples, and your work history
• A premium account is available for purchase allowing your profile more visibility
• Pay extra to join ProFinder and submit estimates that are requested by users through the platform
LinkedIn Resources:
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-kanalley/how-to-use-linkedin-effectively_b_2744857.html
• https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/23454/The-Ultimate-Cheat-Sheet-for-Mastering-LinkedIn.aspx#sm.00001ksframnoid49ws0mjipogz3u
Hannah’s research is a great start if you’re interested in exploring a platform. If the style of one platform resonates with you more than another why not give that a try? Being active on all of the platforms is not necessary. Your time is better spent connecting in a way that feels authentic to you. Speaking of authenticity, make sure you are being authentic to your brand voice no matter which platform you are using. It’s also important to stay active and engage with your audience and potential customers. Happy posting, engaging, and connecting!