There are now 4.55 billion active social media users globally, but that number is 9.9% higher than last year. That means 400 million new people have signed up for at least one social media account within the last year. Source: Search Engine Journal
71% of small-to-mid-sized businesses use social media to market themselves, and 52% post once a day. Source: Hootsuite
71% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase based on a social media reference. Source: Hubspot
These numbers are clear signs to indicate how social media marketing is a critical component of your digital marketing strategy.
As small business owners how are you using social media for business development and company success?
This blog shows you how each platform functions, its features, and how their free aspects if used properly can boost brand awareness, educate customers, and ultimately bring in sales.
Let’s look at the top 5 social media platforms ranked based on number of users: LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
Overview with key data points
To put things in perspective and to understand where LinkedIn stands amidst its social media counterparts, here are some key numbers to get you started.
2022 has witnessed a steady surge in the number of users in LinkedIn and businesses can now reach over 81 million more members on LinkedIn than they could in the previous year.
And India has at least 91.0 million LinkedIn registered “members” and 43.6% of LinkedIn’s global users are female and 56.4% of LinkedIn’s global users are male
Source: Datareportal: https://datareportal.com/essential-linkedin-stats
2 Features to connect swiftly with your targets
Newsletters: Starting 2023, the newsletter tool on LinkedIn is available for businesses having a presence on the platform.
The Newsletter has its own pros and cons and its never easy to say whether you should have a newsletter or not without having a full view of your business – and its online presence
Yet, its automatic notification is easy to reach your target segment without you having to do it manually each time.
People who you think may not have visited your website, may find it easier to read your newsletter and maybe led to your site. Which is great!
And it’s a professional way of demonstrating your subject matter expertise and increasing engagement with your prospects.
Click here to know how to start a LinkedIn newsletter
Carousels:
This is again a simple but powerful way to connect with your prospects and clients instantly.
It drives people to your LinkedIn profile, know more about you, your services, and products. Read what others are commenting on your carousel post which helps build your brand.
Also, it gives you an opportunity to tell your story in the form of visuals, phrases, words, instructions, how tos in a single document.
All the user must do is keep clicking for next. So multiple ideas/concepts come together in one single carousel format.
Carousel ads are different, but this is a regular post.
Click here to know how to start a LinkedIn newsletter
When to post on LinkedIn
Now that you know about these two features – if you are wondering when to post on LinkedIn, here’s a few reputed social media organizations that have conducted a detailed survey on this subject and they say:
- HubSpot: Wednesdays 10am – 12pm
- Sprout Social: Wednesdays 8am – 10am, 12pm; Thursdays 9am, 1pm – 2pm; Fridays 9am
- Buffer: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 7am – 8:30am, 5pm – 6pm
However, I feel its all about trial and error and only you know what’s best for you, your customers, and their time zones. So, use this as a guidance but use your common sense to figure that out.
“Social media is about the people! Not about your business. Provide for the people and the people will provide you.” – Matt Goulart, founder of Ignite Digital, a Canadian digital marketing agency
Overview with key data points
On the contrary Twitter poses equally encouraging numbers and it has also witnessed an increased traction in 2022.
Twitter stays close on the heels of LinkedIn with 486.0 million users. And businesses can now reach over 21 million more members on Twitter than they could in the previous year.
And India has at least 24.8 million active Twitter users and 27.3% of Twitter’s global users are female and 72.7% of Twitter’s global users are male.
Source: Datareportal: https://datareportal.com/essential-linkedin-stats
2 Features to connect swiftly with your targets
Circle
This is an excellent feature that allows you to connect with your select customers on Twitter. Instead of posting to the public, you can create a small cohort of potential customers and post messages to this group alone.
Similar to the ‘Close Friends’ feature on Facebook, the Twitter Circle gives you an opportunity to form a group of up to 150 people. And connect with them through exclusive tweets meant for them alone.
There are times when you have an offer, event or an update that is not meant for the public. But to a private group of like-minded audience with whom you wish to build a relationship. Twitter Circle is cool feature that you can use to build your brand and demonstrate your thought leadership.
Click here to know how to start a Twitter Circle
Spaces
In one of my previous articles, I had discussed 23 FREE content marketing hacks for 2023 – in which I had encouraged the use of live video streaming.
But if you are tasked with lighting, camera set up and getting dressed for the live session – then here comes Twitter Spaces to make things ridiculously simple for you.
Like Podcast’s cousin it’s a super cool feature that allows you to have a conversation real time with the host who is speaking.
Yes, Twitter Spaces are live audio being streamed inviting participation and interaction with your community.
If you were a fan of WhatsApp audio clips, then this will also be a great addition to your marketing mix. Specially without the hassle of extra work involved in the video camera and crew set up.
Click here to know how to start a Twitter Spaces
When to post on Twitter
Again, different reputed social media organizations have studied extensively Twitter user patterns and behaviours and here’s what Social Sprout shares:
- Best times to post on Twitter: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9 a.m.
- Best days to post on Twitter: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Worst days to post on Twitter: Sundays
But do go with what’s best for you and your audience and use the above pointers for guidance purposes.
“We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it.” – Erik Qualman, American author
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And yes, you can read more of my blogs on Branding and Content Marketing right here. And would love to talk to you to discuss your content marketing goals for your organization – bhuvanarajaram9@gmail.com or + 91 98415 96366 (Whatsapp also).
