When you are looking to improve and expand your business, reviewing your business plan, establishing an agenda, and seeking professional consultants are fantastic ideas. So where does social media come in, you may ask. After all, running and managing a company is serious business (pun intended), and social media seems just the opposite with its casual and carefree characteristics. However, in this age of digital globalization, social media can be a vital tool in gaining valuable exposure of products and services, and connecting and networking with clients and other companies. Without further ado, here are the top 4 social media networks to consider for your business.
Launched in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his fellow classmates, Facebook has rapidly evolved into a multibillion-dollar corporation that connects users worldwide, with more than 1.65 billion monthly active users by March 2016. The unique user interface of Facebook with its “Like” and “Share” features will enable your products and services to gain massive exposure, as increasing likes and shares on posts allow the content to reach the Top Stories page and go viral. The use of “hashtags” can also feature the content on the “#trending” page, pinning the news on the main home page. Lastly, Facebook includes the “Pages” function, a feature page that represents a person or an organization. It enables the page administrator to post announcements, share links and events, and upload content such as photos and videos – a great way to feature your business, keep audiences informed, and accommodate valuable interactions with clients and other companies.
Established in 2006, Twitter is a social-networking service that utilizes “tweets” as the primary form of communication and content sharing. Each tweet is limited to 140 characters or less, and can contain links, videos, photos, hashtags, and tags of other users, thus creating a network stream. As of March 2016, Twitter reported more than 310 million monthly active users, and placed itself on the Top 10 most visited websites. Twitter is a great marketing tool for boosting your business, as it allows you to provide live feeds and upcoming announcements on your products, services and events. With its “follow” feature, clients and companies who are interested in your business can receive information and stay up-to-date with your business on an ongoing basis. Like Facebook, content can quickly go viral through likes and “retweets”, which circulates the posts throughout the web – and if an influential figure with thousands of followers retweets your post, you can instantly gain massive exposure. However, Twitter requires proper and active maintenance, as audiences will be drawn to concise, catchy and witty tweets – and successfully doing so will drastically improve your business.
Released in 2010, Instagram is an online mobile photo and video sharing service that integrates features of social networking. As of September 2013, Instagram reported more than 150 million monthly active users, which has grown tremendously over the years. Key features of Instagram are photo and video sharing, with access to exclusive filters that enhance the content according to the user’s preferences. Like Twitter, Instagram also utilizes a follow system that enables users to receive news and updates on their news feed. Because popular posts circulate rapidly, Instagram offers a unique way to depict and portray your products, services, and employees to promote your company to a mass audience. However, because Instagram is a niche category of social media, one that is primarily founded on photo and video sharing, it will take some practice to successfully integrate it into your business model. Once achieved, you may see yourself gaining hundreds of thousands of followers who will appreciate your posts and gallery, and obtain visual insight into your products and services.
If you are looking to network with people and other companies on a more professional level, then LinkedIn is an absolute gem. Founded in 2002, LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site that connects employers, employees, and businesses worldwide. Users can create a profile, detailing their experiences and qualifications, and join the massive database of professional users. Unlike Facebook or Twitter (which is viewed as more casual), LinkedIn offers a professional level of online interaction and social connectivity that will benefit your business in the digital and real world. It will assist in a multitude of tasks, such as reviewing and recruiting highly proficient candidates, and establishing connections with representatives from other businesses. Furthermore, it will build up the reputation and credibility of your business on the web via a solid collection of your employees’ and affiliates’ profiles. Ultimately, reputation is one of the most crucial elements of a successful company, as legendary investor Warren Buffet once said: “Lose money for the firm, and I will be understanding. Lose a shred of reputation for the firm, and I will be ruthless.”
As technology is advancing, so are businesses and enterprises – and many companies are now looking to transcend their products and services onto the Web, another contested corporate sector. Aside from domains, SEOs, and IT services, social media is a considerable avenue on the spectrum of online marketing, which many enterprises are now incorporating into their business models. Due to the sheer number of people that are on social media, and the speed in which content spreads across the web, it will be a fantastic way to boost your business and connect with clients and other companies.
Have any suggestions? Did we miss your favourite SNS sites? Please leave a comment!
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