How to find the right social media channels for your company.

The question of whether a social media account is worthwhile for a company should, in the meantime, be answered clearly for all entrepreneurs. Yes, of course, a strong company needs social media to reach out to old and new customers, interact with them, and draw a close-up view of the business. No matter how versatile your own product may be, on social media every company finds its own target group. According to statistics portal statista, there are 2.5 billion social media users worldwide. And there are more. In the last few years, people in the second half of life have started using social media proactively. In 2013, almost 70 percent of Internet users over the age of 50 were registered with at least one social network, and around 55 percent actively used them. A strong presence on social media is therefore not only interesting for companies whose target group is still in training. But which social media channel suits your own company? On which channels is the most effective way to reach your target audience?
Therefore, as with any successful marketing strategy, it is important to name your own target audience as accurately as possible. But beyond that, the advantages and disadvantages of different social media platforms should be known, so that successful target group communication can succeed.

Facebook

Facebook is the classic social network. Here are found monthly 25 million German users who actively use the possibilities of Facebook. The older the target group, the more relevant is the appealing Facebook profile. While young people are often active on multiple platforms, the older target group often uses Facebook primarily. Despite the scandals surrounding data protection, in which Facebook is repeatedly involved, the network enjoys great popularity with many users and is considered by many to be the social media standard. On a profile page, the company is able to present itself, functions like the messenger make the communication between customers and companies very easy. Since recently, Facebook also offers a Marketplace feature, where it is possible to offer goods in the form of classifieds.

For whom?

Put simply, for everyone. The older the target group, the more important Facebook becomes in communication.

Instagram

The photo platform Instagram, which has been part of the Facebook empire since 2012, is the hotspot for all companies whose products can be aesthetically staged. Especially companies that operate in the field of fashion or interior will find their target group here. But even in the food and lifestyle sector, Instagram can be a great way to reach your own target group. The Insta Story feature, which allows images and videos to be seen for only 24 hours, provides the opportunity for strong executives with charisma to increase their brand identification. Comments, questionnaires, or polls make the hurdle for interaction between business and users very low. The new feature InstaTV recently made it possible to provide longer videos for a longer period of time - similar to the video platform Youtube. Whose goal, however, the increase in traffic, which should rather look for alternatives to Instagram. Although products can now be linked directly to shop links, links in captions and comments can not be clicked on the platform. Only the possibility to place a link in the profile, for example to the website, influences the traffic figures. In addition, verified accounts can place links in stories. The vertical swipe with a finger from bottom to top gets the Instagram user to the landing page.

For whom?

For brands with strong images, aesthetic products and attention to detail.

Pinterest offers a digital whiteboard where users can save content on topically themed boards. It is also possible to comment and like pictures. Similar to Instagram, Pinterest also focuses on looks. Fashion, beauty and interior can be easily placed here, while insurance companies are more difficult. But there is a niche for everything. Pinterest is used by many as a guide platform. Visually appealing financial or savings tips as well as recipes, which fit into the cozy look of the social media platform, have good chances here. Since the images can be stored directly with links, Pinterest is a great way to market products successfully. This is especially worthwhile for the reason that Pinterest is used by many users as a wish list.

For whom?

Brands that enrich the user's bulletin boards with great photos and advice.

Snapchat

Snapchat asks many people beyond the age of 20 how exactly the platform should be used. At its core, this social media channel is about posting videos that are visible either for a 24 hour period or for ten seconds. The platform was hype after its launch, but now the Snapchat user group has emerged strongly. People under 18 make up Snapchat's largest user group. This social media channel is worthwhile in particular if the fire is intended to appeal to minors. Otherwise: Better use the story feature on Instagram and concentrate the capacity on a platform.

For whom?

Companies that want to keep their young target group up to date on a daily basis.

Twitter

Twitter is a short message service that allows expressions with a maximum length of 280 characters to be divided into so-called tweets. Even though it is possible to embed images and videos in tweets, Twitter relies heavily on the written word. The platform was founded in 2006, but despite its age in Germany has a fairly manageable user base of 12 million users. These are mainly people from the journalism and the politics, which follow themselves on Twitter over the topical events inform and comment this.

For whom?

People from the media industry and those who want to become one.

WhatsApp is not a classic social network. Rather, it is a messenger service that enables 1: 1 communication. This is not about the number of followers or likes, but only about being able to answer customers in an open and personal way. The messenger service enables a new way of emailing or newsletter marketing. Customers can be addressed individually and informed about offers and communicate easily in voice messages. Particularly interesting are messenger services such as WhatsApp for companies that want to offer consulting services to their customers. In addition, newsletters via messengers such as WhatsApp reach a younger audience because the Messenger is used more frequently and more intensively than an e-mail program.

For whom?

Companies that want to capitalize on customer service and show their closeness.

Xing

Xing is a career network that focuses mainly on German-speaking countries. While most social media platforms and authenticity are concerned, the individual presentation on Xing is guided by professional interests. Xing acts as a digital resume, is the natural habitat of headhunters and enables digital networking. Here you have the opportunity to present yourself as a worker-friendly company and stay in contact with former team members. In addition, Xing offers the opportunity to look for potential new employees and to contact them directly.

For whom?

Companies that often assign project work and want to be interesting for employees.

Youtube

Youtube is a video platform that makes it possible to present video content on its own channel. Youtube videos can be easily integrated into content management systems or other social media accounts, so that a well-maintained channel on the network offers a high added value. However, it should be said that running a Youtube channel only pays off if video content is created in-house anyway. Otherwise, the consumption of Youtube through the time-consuming production of videos compared to other social media channels consumes above-average time. In addition, a Youtube channel should only be accompanied by strong community management, as the comments here on average have a rougher tone than on other platforms.

For whom?

Companies that produce video content.

4 tips at the end

To successfully present yourself as a brand on social media, it is important to know the strengths and weaknesses of different platforms. But ultimately:

Practice creates master.

Sometimes it just helps to try out what fits your own business. Target group analysis and the analysis of algorithms help to optimally position the brand. Besides, it can be easier at the beginning.

To focus on a platform

Instead of getting involved everywhere, without really meeting the needs of the network.

Do not be put off by innovations!

The frontend of the platform looks very different after an update? There are new features that are not yet available to you? No panic. Social media reacts promptly to the demands of users in a digital world. Most of the innovations are helpful.

Community management is the key to success

Who is on social media, without having set up a reasonable community management, goes without life jacket on open waters. Users want to interact via social media, they want their criticism and praise to be heard. Community Management helps disgruntled customers and avoids shitstorms in times of crisis.

So there are many ways to strengthen your company through social media. If you do not want to lose track of all the platforms, you can use a marketing portal to schedule or cancel postings on social media. Through the analysis capabilities offered by the marketing portal, advertisements on social media platforms can also be targeted by targeting locally. In addition, sales and distribution partners can be equipped with pre-formulated posts and ads.

Reach target groups in the social media channels via the marketing portal: SocialMedia.X