People often ask which social media platforms should I use and how often should I post. Honesty, it’s really up to your market. Where are they and how do you communicate your message to them? Social Media includes Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram as well as video content on YouTube, Vimeo or Tiktok. Have you thought about Spotify or Itunes as social media? What about Reddit or Quora? They are.
Having a social media plan will help you focus your efforts to target your audience. Here’s few tips to help you know which social media platform might be best and how to make a social media plan that works for you.
Which Social Media Platform Should I Use to Reach My Audience?
First, ask: Who am I trying to reach and what platforms are they using?
Depending on which market share you are trying to reach will help you know where those people are on social media. Start with the larger platforms like Facebook where the number of people is greatest. If you know your audience is creative, try Pinterest. If you know your audience is professionals, try LinkedIn. YouTube and Tiktok are great video platforms, to get your message out in a more personable way.
Second, ask: How is your audience using that platform? What is there intent for using social media? Is it to share information with family and friends. Is it to find information about a hobby or join a group to interact with? This will help you understand what type of content they are looking for and create an interest for them in your content.
How often should I post content?
It is hard to know exactly how many, but it should be a number you are comfortable with and that your viewers won’t feel like you are bombarding them. You don’t want to get a bad reputation for overwhelming your audience. I suggest you start conservatively with at least 1 per week, depending on the content and platform.
Quality and consistency are key to social media success.
Make sure the content you create is valuable to your audience. Don’t just post random thoughts that don’t create interest in your business. Helpful tips, news about your industry, reviews, uplifting content, and expert advice are all great social media ideas to create content your audience needs and helps create a following for you.
Develop a Social Media Plan
A Social Media Plan consists of listening to your audience or knowing what might be helpful to them, plan your posts!, make a strategy that includes helpful tips so that your followers gain value from following you, not just feeling like you are constantly asking for their business. Give them a reason to follow your content!
Each social media platform has a certain type of user. Choose the platforms that work best for your business goals.
Having a Social Media Plan is key to it being a successful tool for your business. Focusing on a plan will help you know what you have told your followers and where you might lead them next. It’s important to have a plan so you don’t repeat yourself and then loose their interest. The worst thing that could happen is that your post items that are of no value to your following.