Social Networks Are More Important Then You Think
Social networks are a growing phenomenon that, when used innovatively, can reap rewards for businesses looking to boost engagement and convert leads into sales. There are dozens of social networking sites around today – some generic and some niche; keep reading to learn more about the top eight your business needs now.
Based on official figures, it’s possible to work out which social media websites are the most popular. Businesses can then start networking on these sites to have the best chance of reaching the largest audiences. However, it’s not a bad idea to target lesser-known networks too, especially if they reflect your niche market.
It can take time to get accustomed to the many different social networks, which all have different features and their own unique selling points, but it’s a venture worth embarking on. Almost three quarters of adults with access to the Internet use social networks, which means businesses stand to reach billions of people by harnessing the power of social media.
1. Facebook
With an estimated 900,000,000 visitors each month, Facebook is the world’s top social network. Turning ten this year, the social network is used by 57 per cent of American adults, with 64 per cent of people checking the website on a daily basis. Facebook can be a useful way to promote your business, allowing users to set up dedicated pages, groups and even fan pages to raise the company’s profile or to interact with consumers and other interested parties. The addition of dedicated paid-for marketing services means you can target tailored audiences by age, gender, location and interests.
2. Twitter
Receiving an estimated 310,000,000 unique users per month, Twitter is the second most popular social media site in the world. The site allows users to share bite-sized messages along with photos and links that can be seen by others who are subscribed to the user’s channel. The retweet feature means messages can go viral quickly and the lack of a filter like the one Facebook uses means tweets always appear in subscribers’ newsfeeds. Profiles can be tailored to reflect your brand and you can connect with customers, vendors, competitors and others in your professional network.
3. LinkedIn
With a focus on professional networking, LinkedIn receives approximately 255,000,000 unique visitors each month. The platform allows users to build a professional profile and connect with others, sharing relevant media from images and quotes to videos. You might find your next customer via LinkedIn, or be able to search for the best addition to your team. There is also a whole host of marketing tools such as sponsored updates and ads, as well as opportunities to build and reinforce a strong professional brand.
4. Pinterest
Marketed as a visual discovery tool, Pinterest receives around 250,000,000 unique visitors monthly, providing a platform for users to share images and group pictures together to inspire projects or express their interests. Businesses can use Pinterest to showcase their products, share things that are important to them and benefit from increased traffic to their websites as each image links back to its source. Connect with your audience on a personal, authentic level.
Dos and Don’ts when using social networks – Video
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5. Google Plus+
Google Plus+ attracts an estimated 120,000,000 unique visitors each month looking to build personal and professional circles, share content and generally get involved in conversation. The Communities feature is the ideal place for engaging in discussion or building your brand’s public identity, while the Google Hangouts element allows you to speak with people in your circles directly. The Hangouts On Air option allows for group chat and makes the conversation publicly viewable.
6. Tumblr
Receiving around 110,000,000 unique visitors per month, Tumblr is a micro-blogging social network that allows users to post various types of content, maintain a blog and interact with other bloggers. Businesses can follow other relevant blogs while producing their own content to gain exposure, while interacting with other bloggers or customers can help build a positive reputation. Reblogging relevant posts from other people or companies can also help to increase engagement.
7. Instagram
The image-driven social networking site Instagram is visited by approximately 100,000,000 users per month, most of whom access the site via mobile devices. Instagram was designed for mobile use, enabling users to share images and videos via a personal stream and also on other social sites like Facebook and Tumblr. Businesses can use Instagram to tell a story through visuals and track engagement levels to figure out what works and what doesn’t. The platform can also be embedded into websites for viewing on desktop PCs, allowing firms to reach wider audiences.
8. VK
Social networks can be found all over the world. Have you ever heard of VK? Dubbed Russia’s largest social network, VK – or VKontakte – receives an estimated 80,000,000 unique visitors each month. The social network is reputedly the second-biggest in Europe after Facebook, allowing users to share content, create dedicated pages and send messages, both publicly and privately. A VK account is ideal for businesses targeting a European audience within a young adult age range, either through a maintained profile or blog, or via paid adverts.
11 Unusual Social Media Tips – From the Web
Entrepreneur.com recently published some helpful tips to increase your online presence. Effective social-media marketing helps build successful businesses. A recent study by Shareaholic, which tracked 300,000 websites over four months, suggested that social-media referrals now lead to 30 percent of websites’ overall traffic.
If your business website falls below this benchmark, you may want to consider if your social-media strategy is working. Then again, if your site receives more visits from social media than that rate, you might still want to know what more can you do. Learn more about social networking…
Which social networking platforms you choose to build your brand through will depend on your industry and audience. For expert guidance, get in touch with the professionals at NetEvents Inc.; we have the experience and skill to harness social media to your advantage. For more information call 289-474-5447 or toll-free at 866-906-6911. Remember Be Social!