Which social media platforms should you use for your business?

Nearly 8 out of 10  people in the UK have at least one social media account they use regularly.

This means having a presence on social media is no longer just ‘nice to have’ – it’s essential.

When you have a new business, you may be wondering which social media platforms to use. While it may be tempting to have an account on every channel, this can cause you to spread yourself too thin.

It’s better to choose one or two platforms and focus on them.

If you’re wondering which social media platform to use for your business, we’ve put together some guidance to help you pick.

1. Consider your target audience

Take a look at the target audience you want to appeal to. The demographics and interests of your primary marketing persona will help you decide which social media platform (or platform) to use.

For example, take TikTok. 47% of users are under 29, while only 11% of users are 50+. This means if your key demographic is retirees, it’s probably not the best choice.

Similarly, 71% of Pinterest users are female, meaning if your product or service appeals to men, you won’t get a lot of traction.

2. Consider your product or service

What you are selling can play a significant part in which social media platform to use.

If you are selling clothes, makeup, or home accessories, using an image-led platform like Instagram or Pinterest will showcase your best products and boost your business. Plus, both of these platforms let your customers buy directly on the platform!

If you provide B2B services like recruitment or accounting, then LinkedIn has over 55 million registered businesses that you can introduce your company to.

3. Consider where you are selling to

If you are selling to international markets, this can critically impact the social media platforms you use.

For example, many social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram are banned in China. So if you want to grow your brand in China, you may have to consider a Chinese alternative like Weibo, Douyin or Renren.

Similarly, TikTok is banned in India and Pakistan. If you do a lot of business in either of these countries, TikTok may have to come off the table.

4. Consider your own skillset

We have our preferred social media platforms. For example, some of us love spending time on Twitter but hate having to scroll through Facebook, and vice versa.

If you’re already on a social media platform, it makes sense to use it for your business. You know how to use it, you know who to follow, and it means you don’t have to spend time learning how to upload content to a brand new platform

Need a little extra support with your social media? The Sequence can look after your social media platform of choice, posting unique images and catchy wording that will help boost your brand and bring you business.

Contact us today to find out more about our services.