Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms: Where Should I Post?

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We understand social media could be quite overwhelming to start off with especially if you are a new small business owner. With so many platforms to choose from, choosing the right one can help your business:

Scale Up efficiently
Be seen more especially in your niche
Help you get more leads (if you are seen more, people will eventually reach out to you).

The common dilemma small business owners face is which social media platforms should they choose to post regularly.

We will walk you through some tips which will help you pick the best platforms which align with your business, requirements and objectives.

Why is it Important to Understand Your Audience?

First things first, get to know your audience. As a business owner, you need to be able to speak to your audience directly. Social Media enables you to do just that. But the main question lies in answering where your audience is?

A simple question but tough for many to answer. But don’t worry, we tell you where to start.

Start with answering the below set of questions. Be honest and as detailed as possible. Look at past scenarios, and also where you want to take your business in the future:

Simple Questions to Ask YOURSELF about your Target Audience:

(Who are they?)

(What are their interests?)

(What are their demographics)

(What are my audience’s online behaviors?)

Answering these questions for yourself and introspecting on these details will guide you in selecting platforms where your audience spends their time.

Pro-TIP: We suggest you write these down in detail! You can look at our sample Target Audience Resource which is going to be coming very shortly! Watch this space for more 🙂

In the meantime, we also have a free resource for you to help you find your target audience

here.

Next Step is To Define Your Goals:

Social Media Posting is about a number of things. It can include:

Increasing your number of followers (vanity metrics hello?)
Increasing your brand awareness which only means that they know what your business does, your values and if you are a trustworthy product/service provider or not (this is important for making sales later – we will talk about that in another section.)
Focussing on leads (through a lead funnel – yes there is a lead funnel which can be created either organically or through paid ads. Huge vast topic to be tackled some other time…..)
Or just posting for fun!

Whatever you want to achieve through Social Media, your SM goals will shape your choice of platforms and the strategies you employ.

Let’s go in a bit deep, shall we?

<Platform Options and Their Strengths>

Facebook: One of the easiest and most popular social media platforms out there (millenials cheer up!), Facebook is good for a majority of things.

What is it good for? It is ideal for businesses targeting a wide demographic range. It’s great for building a community, sharing updates, and running ads.

Instagram: Half a million businesses have been built of Instagram, surely it must be goooood!

What is it good for? Instagram is perfect for visually appealing businesses such as fashion, food, and travel. It’s all about stunning images and videos to engage your audience.

Twitter: If you can say it short, say it with a SWAG!

What is it good for? Best for real-time updates, news, and engaging in conversations. It’s quick, concise, and perfect for industries needing fast communication.

LinkedIn: Did we hear someone scream professional headshots please?

What is it good for? LinkedIN is great for go-to for B2B businesses, B2C businesses, and networking. It’s great for thought leadership, recruiting, and industry updates.

Pinterest: “Looking good yeah?” Said one of our clients to our Pinterest Moodboard!

What is it good for? It is perfect for businesses with visually appealing products or services. It’s all about inspiration and driving traffic to your website.

Once You have CHOSEN your Platform, then Evaluate Platform Features

Consider each platform’s unique features.

Questions to ASK YOURSELF – Do they offer advertising options, analytics tools, or specific formats like Stories or Live videos? These features can help you reach your goals more effectively.

PRO-TIP: Make your own Social Media Platform Evaluation Checklist spreadsheet and write down each platform’s PROs and CONs along with your Goals. Make sure to tick off the relevant ones, and cross the irrelevant ones. Here is how you can do it:

Please, please don’t FORGET to do Competitor Analysis

So this is a crucial one! One important tip could be to check out what platforms your competitors are using and how they’re engaging with their audience.

THIS CAN PROVIDE INSIGHTS INTO WHICH PLATFORMS THEY ARE MOST ACTIVE ON AND YOU CAN THEN DECIDE HOW YOU WOULD WANT TO SCALE UP ON THAT PLATFORM.

Start Small and Scale

Don’t feel pressured to be on every platform right away. Start with one or two that align best with your audience and goals. As you grow and understand your audience better, you can expand your presence strategically.

Choosing the right social media platforms is like finding the perfect partner—it requires understanding, compatibility, and a bit of exploration. We all have been on dates, so we know how it feels like right? One mismatch, and you are out the window (ouch!)

But seriously, by understanding your audience, defining your goals, and evaluating platform features, you’ll set yourself up for success. So, take these tips, explore your options, and get ready to make a splash on social media!