Small Business Owners’ Guide to Social Media Platforms
Are you a small business interested in expanding your business’ social media presence? In the modern world, maintaining social media pages to advertise and build a community is an important task for all businesses, from the smallest family business to the largest multinational conglomerate. There are several different social media platforms to be aware of, and while they are all important, they all work slightly differently and attract different audiences. That’s why it’s important to know about the ins and outs of the different platforms and how–or even if–you want to use them.
Thump Local was founded to help small businesses manage their social media presence and offers many social media related services catering to small local businesses. Let’s go down the list of major social media platforms and their relevance for small business owners like you!
Facebook is the world’s largest social media platform, with over 2.6 billion users, including 69% of American adults, as of 2021. Senior citizens are the fastest growing demographic on Facebook, with 73% of people in the ages of 50-64 using the platform. Additionally, 77% of people from ages 30-49, the ones who signed up for Facebook back when you needed a college email address, are still using it regularly. If your small business is targeting an older customer base, developing a Facebook presence is essential to attracting new customers.
However, if teenagers are your target demographic, you should consider pursuing social media platforms that are popular with younger demographics. Although the percentage of teenagers using Facebook is on the decline, 70% of Americans ranging from 18 to 29 do still have an account there. Some of Thump Local’s many specialties are targeted towards advertising and social media posting for small businesses on Facebook!
Instagram is the third most popular social media platform in the United States after YouTube and Facebook, with 40% of American adults reporting that they use the photo and video sharing app. With 71% of Americans aged 18-29 using the platform, Instagram is the platform to use if you are targeting customers under the age of 30. Its parent company, Meta, also owns Facebook, so the two platforms have integrated features, like cross posting.
Instagram focuses on sharing photos and videos in an accessible way that easily captures the viewer’s attention. This platform is a great asset when advertising your brand or product and presenting it to a large demographic. Thump Local offers Instagram posting and management services, and will work with you to present your business in an aesthetically-pleasing way on this visual platform.
TikTok
TikTok is a Chinese-owned social media platform popular with teenagers for its short form videos, often involving humor and dancing. 48% percent of Americans 18 to 29 reported using the app in 2021. The app’s Chinese ownership has drawn scrutiny from elected officials and others concerned about US geopolitical interests, data privacy, and national security. The governor of Montana signed a bill banning TikTok on May 17th, 2023, making Montana the first state to fully ban the app. The law is currently being challenged in court.
TikTok has also been banned from devices owned by the federal government and over twenty state governments, including the governments of New Jersey, Texas, and Florida. It may be best to avoid becoming dependent on this controversial app to advertise your small business, even if your customer base happens to consist mainly of young teenagers. Instagram uses video in similar ways and is a safer bet for advertising your business.
How Thump Can Help Small Businesses with Social Media
There are numerous relevant social media platforms popular in the United States that we offer at Thump Local, including Facebook, Instagram, and platforms not listed above, like Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Our experienced social media team will work closely with you to develop your brand voice on social media and accurately represent your company in the specific way you’re envisioning using original content and illustrative images. We consistently stay in touch with our clients to keep their social platforms fresh and up to date with their latest news and services.
You may wonder which social media platform (or platforms) makes the most sense for your business. A Thump Local sales representative is always happy to talk with you about which of these platforms would be most effective for your business and your goals on social media. Our expert social team is here to work with you to help you grow your small business through social media, using strategies tailored specifically for your company’s needs. Reach out to us to get started achieving your social media goals!