Social media channels for business

Discover which social media channel is best for your business as we explore Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.

If your social media posts are feeling more tumbleweed than happy hour, you may not be using the right channel. With so many social media platforms out there, how do you work out which social media channel is right for your business?

The classic ‘quality over quantity’ comes into play here. Focus on relevant and relatable content, inject life into your posts, start conversations, and be consistent. Spread your brand too thin and your social media channels will feel anything but.

Each of these platforms has features that work well for businesses, but researching which one to choose can be time-consuming and repetitive. If only there was a place where you could see all the basic info you need in a handy table to help you decide the right social media channel for your business…

Facebook

Facebook has the most users with over 2.9 billion active accounts. It’s a great place to build a community around your brand.

It'll work for you if:

• You want to increase your reach.

• You like reviews and photos

• You do competitions or giveaways

• You want people to visit your website

• You like to interact via groups, direct messaging, and comments

• You want an ad-management tool

Instagram

Instagram is a great place to show off your brand in the best light. (Seriously, lighting is so important!). Instagram focuses on visuals and is perfect for showcasing products, driving sales, and building relationships with your followers.

It'll work for you if:

• You like to do polls and Q&A’s (specifically on stories)

• You partner with other brands or influencers

• You post regular engaging images and videos

• Your brand suits an aesthetically pleasing profile

  
  

TikTok

TikTok is known for quirky, relatable user-generated content that is constantly evolving. Trends are key to the success of TikTok. They happen fast so if you need to wait for approval from 3 departments before you can post – you’ll be too late.

It'll work for you if:

• You like to share brand info

• You target a younger demographic

• You want to tap into viral trends

• Your brand partners with influencers

• You like getting creative (Check out Duolingo or Ryanair’s profiles and you’ll see what we mean. )

  
  
  

Twitter

Twitter can keep your business connected with customers, peers, and influencers enhancing your reputation and improving customer service and engagement.

It'll work for you if:

• You need to respond to questions quickly

• You can get your point across in 280 characters or less

• You like to share promotions, deals, and competitions

• Hashtags are a big part of your social media marketing

  
  
  

LinkedIn

If you’re looking to connect with other people in business, LinkedIn is the right social media platform for you. LinkedIn is all about professional networking where you can build relationships and generate leads.

It'll work for you if:

• You want to generate leads through other professionals

• You want reputable industry news

• You like to share case studies or testimonials

Pinterest

Pinterest attracts users looking for inspiration and ideas around interests such as fashion, beauty, home decor, and cookery.

It’s great for businesses with visually appealing products or services. The goal is to get pinned - which is much nicer than it sounds, we promise.

It'll work for you if:

• You create shareable content about your business

• Your images and graphics look great

• You want to increase visitors to your website

• You want to introduce your brand to a new audience

  
  
  

YouTube

YouTube is built for sharing longer videos that educate and entertain. You can connect with people from all over the world by producing videos that are valuable to your target audience and build a community through subscriptions.

It'll work for you if:

• You want to reach a worldwide audience

• You work with influencers

• You do tutorials, webinars or online product launches or live streams

• Want to use clips of YouTube videos to share on other platforms

A good social media strategy is key to turning followers into customers. Now you know the basics of each platform, you can decide which social media channel is best for your business.

Want more advice on managing social media in your business? Why not speak to one of our V-Hub Digital Advisers to find out more?