The Best Social Media Platforms for Business in 2024
Inside this blog post, I’m going to reveal the best social media platform for your business. By the end, you’ll know exactly which one to use. 🎉
But here’s the kicker: The best platform for you depends on several unique factors. Don’t worry, though, I’ll break it down into three simple steps. Stick around till the end, because these steps build on each other, and the last one is crucial for your long-term success.
Step 1: Identify Where Your Ideal Customer Hangs Out
First things first, think about who your ideal customer is and where they hang out online. If you need help with this step, you can check out this post that teaches you exactly how to find your dream customer.
Your product or service isn't the only game in town, so your customers are probably already looking for competitor solutions in certain places. Here’s a breakdown of where they might be:
YouTube: For how-to or tutorial videos.
TikTok: For quick tips and fun content.
LinkedIn: For professional and thought leadership content.
Instagram and Pinterest: For influencer-driven and visual content.
Reddit and Facebook Groups: For niche communities and discussions.
The key is to fish where the fish are. 🎣 Think of it like an ice cream truck driving around busy neighborhoods on weekends. The ice cream truck goes where the kids are, and you need to go where your potential customers are.
Step 2: Study Top Creators in Your Chosen Channels
Once you’ve identified the top channels for your industry or niche, study the top creators on those platforms. Look at the type of content they’re making and see what resonates with the audience. Remember, success leaves clues, so it’s your job to reverse-engineer what’s working.
Different platforms serve different types of content better. For example:
YouTube: Best for long-form tutorials (e.g., renovation content).
TikTok: Ideal for quick, engaging tips (e.g., meal prep ideas).
Podcasts: Great for deep conversations on complex topics.
Blogs: Perfect for detailed, referable guides (e.g., coding tutorials).
Each platform has its strengths, so align your content type with the right medium. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel – learn from those who have already figured it out.
Step 3: Play to Your Strengths and Preferences
This step is the most important. You need to consider what you enjoy and are good at. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Do you like writing? If so, blogging might be your thing.
Do you enjoy being on camera? You might thrive on YouTube or TikTok.
Are you great with visual design? Instagram could be perfect for you.
Are you a natural people person? Engage in community forums on Reddit or Facebook Groups.
Creating content consistently is key to organic traffic. It’s not an overnight game; you need to be in it for the long haul. If you hate writing, don’t commit to a daily blog. If you’re camera-shy, maybe avoid YouTube. Choose a platform where you can see yourself creating content consistently for at least a year.
Push vs. Pull Platforms
Another thing to keep in mind is the difference between push and pull platforms:
Pull Platforms: People search for content (e.g., Google, Quora, YouTube’s search feature).
Push Platforms: Content is served up to people (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, TikTok).
For example, a YouTube video on "how to tie a tie" might have millions of views over several years because it’s evergreen content. In contrast, a TikTok video might go viral quickly but fade after a short time.
A balanced strategy incorporates both types of content. Look at the top creators in your niche to see how they mix push and pull content for optimal growth.
Recap and Final Thoughts
To sum it up, here’s how you figure out the best social media platform for your business:
Identify where your audience hangs out: Understand your ideal customer and where they spend their time online.
Study top creators: Look at what’s working for them and learn from their success.
Play to your strengths: Choose a platform that aligns with your skills and interests, ensuring you can consistently produce quality content.
Remember, social media is a long game. You need to be in it for the long haul to see success. Let me know in the comments which platforms you’re considering or have tried. I’m happy to share my experiences and help you out!
