Have you ever wondered which are the most effective and popular online marketing networks and communities? What platforms do marketers prefer, and which ones do consumers use?
Thanks to the rise of digital marketing and the abundance of tools and resources available online, the answer to these questions is much more straightforward than it seems. By analyzing social media data, you can pinpoint the networks that marketers and businesses across the world rely on the most.
1. Instagram
Instagram is the largest and most popular social media network globally, and it doesn’t stop there. According to Statista, there were around 500 million monthly active users as of December 2021.
The image-sharing platform’s sheer size makes it an essential part of any marketer’s toolkit. Not only can you plan content in advance and use advanced editing tools to create truly unique images, but you can also engage with your audience on a much deeper level. Instagrammers can engage with followers by liking and commenting on posts, and this interaction provides a more personal experience for the user. Instagrammers can also follow and connect with businesses, brands, and public figures to gain credibility and build a community.
2. YouTube
The popular video-sharing platform’s size and scope is nearly incomprehensible. YouTube’s reported user base reached 1 billion in 2018 alone, and it continues to grow at a rapid pace. According to Statista, there were around 400 million monthly active users as of December 2021.
One of YouTube’s main strengths is its emphasis on family-friendly content. With thousands of hours of videos uploaded every day, it’s the perfect place for marketers to promote brands and products while ensuring these videos are engaging and entertaining for the whole family to enjoy.
3. Twitter
Another social media network that continues to grow at an incredible pace is Twitter. According to Statista, there were around 300 million monthly active users as of December 2021.
The 140-character messaging platform has always been focused on serving niche interests, but it’s taken on a whole different meaning in today’s world. While social media platforms like Twitter used to be the place where users would go to voice their opinions and discuss social issues, today it’s a source of breaking news, hilarious jokes, and up-to-the-minute trending topics.
As a marketing platform, Twitter still emphasizes opinions and interesting tidbits, but it also provides a ready-made audience that’s interested in your message. Twitter can be a great place to promote new products and brands, as well as raise your profile as a thought leader in your industry.
4. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the professional social media network that was originally created for employees to connect with other professionals. There are a few differences between the LinkedIn you may know and the one discussed here. First, it was originally designed to help professionals network, search for jobs, and keep up with news and announcements. It also emphasizes the importance of mobile usage in today’s world, considering that over 80% of its users access the network from a smartphone.
While LinkedIn may not always be used for marketing, the platform’s incredible reach and ability to effectively engage with potential customers makes it an essential part of any marketer’s toolkit. Like many other social media networks, LinkedIn provides a ready-made audience that’s interested in your product or service, which makes it a valuable asset for any business.
5. Pinterest
If you have a strong Twitter account, you may be able to leverage it to create Pinterest accounts for your companies. Since Twitter users can already follow each other easily, this can help you establish quick and easy connections with other users who may become interested in your product or service. Creating a Pinterest account is free, but you have to follow the proper guidelines or your account may be deleted.
6. Reddit
Reddit is a social media platform with over 300 million monthly active users as of December 2021. You may have heard of Reddit, as it’s one of the most popular websites on the internet. Reddit users can engage with other users by posting news articles, GIFs, and links to interesting blogs and websites.
While Reddit is often discussed in the context of social news platforms and online forums, it’s actually one of the older social media networks, dating back to the days when there were only text-based posts and no images. Like many other social media networks, Reddit is also focused on being a place for users to engage with content in a meaningful way, which makes it a valuable tool for any marketer.
7. Houzz
Houzz is the world’s #1 home design platform, and it offers a great opportunity for marketers. Since virtually all home product and design-related content is allowed, it can be a gold mine for any business that sells home products or provides home design services.
The home design database and social network allows users to discover products that are suitable for their home, with millions of homes using the platform to discover and share their perfect space with other users.
Houzz is a popular choice with businesses, especially small businesses, because of its simple user interface and ease of use. Launching a business page is free, but the more you post, the more your page will stand out. As a content producer, you have access to highly targeted and devoted audiences that may become your personal brand ambassadors and eventually decide to purchase your product or service.
8. Snapchat
Snapchat is the popular photo-messaging app originally designed for sending short-lived photos to friends and family. The ephemeral messaging app is one of the most popular social media networks globally, with over 500 million monthly active users as of December 2021.
Since Snapchat is built on top of the incredibly efficient and fast-paced mobile data network known as the “Edge”, your business has the perfect platform to reach potential customers and engage with them. Snapchatters can access your content through one of the many available lenses, including the familiar “Story” feature, where users can scroll through snaps of other people’s adventures and decide whether to engage or ignore. As in the case with TikTok, many businesses and marketers have jumped on the Snapchat bandwagon and are using it to help promote their products and services.
9. Facebook
While you may be most familiar with Facebook as a social media network, it also hosts a variety of other useful tools for marketers. One of the internet’s most popular websites, Facebook has over a billion active daily users, 80% of whom are located outside of North America.
As the world’s largest social media network, Facebook is a great choice for businesses large and small, especially those wanting to expand their reach to foreign markets. Facebook users can see your content whether they are in Canada, China, or Argentina – provided you have an account in each country. The social media network also offers powerful tools for businesses to engage with customers, including paid ads, re-targeting, and audience measurement.
10. Blogger
At the end of the day, all of these platforms are useful for businesses, marketing professionals, and thought leaders. When building a brand or business, you have to remember that these platforms were not built for entertainment purposes – they were built for sharing and connecting with like-minded individuals who have an interest in your product or service.
As a marketer, you should always have a mix of content on your blog. Even if you’re only posting once or twice a week, you should still be posting regularly to maintain a steady stream of content. A popular blog post may lead to a steady stream of organic traffic, which may in turn lead to more customers and higher conversion rates. Make sure to connect your blog to relevant social media accounts, too, so that your readers can follow you over platforms like Twitter and Facebook.