The social networks and the battle for your business
Facebook, or Instagram, or both? That is the question. And the answer, well, that depends on what type of business you own.
That’s why we’re breaking down these social media giants, so you can make an informed decision about what suits you.
But first, it’s important to set your goals and expectations around using social media for your business. So, before you dive into the social rabbit hole, ask yourself;
- What’s the purpose? Am I selling something, or do I just want to generate an audience?
- Who is my audience? Do they use social media? If so, how much?
- What’s the plan? Do these channels fit in with my business strategy?
- What are my competitors doing? Are they playing in the same space?
- What am I going to say? How are you planning to engage with your audience?
Facebook
“Facebook is the social network, right?”
Well, yes. According to the company’s numbers – a whopping 60% off Australians are signed up, and active, on Facebook. And whilst it’s pretty much impossible to know how many of them are constantly engaged in the feed, it’s an impressive number that’s hard to ignore for any business.
The thing with Facebook is, however, their recent algorithm changes to focus on ‘connecting with people’ instead of brands has impacted the effectiveness of business pages. Forcing businesses to rethink their Facebook investment and strategy. With that said, there’s still merit in using Facebook as part of your marketing mix. Here’s some reasons why;
- Allows for highly targeted advertising
- Perfect for building relationships with older generation
- Insights and data tools to keep your communication effective
- Ideal for branding and retail purposes
- A constantly updated page builds trust with your consumer base
- Provides a forum for longer form content, like blogs and videos
- Comments and messenger allow for one-on-one conversation with customers
“Don’t people just scroll past the content?”
Surprisingly, no. Facebook’s little brother, Instagram, is fast becoming the social app of choice for the younger, digital savvy generation. As a result, to get noticed on Instagram, brands need to work harder to create better content. This better content then generates brand engagement levels much higher than on Facebook. Instagram also features tools that encourage users and brands to express themselves in unique and creative ways. Creating a more welcoming, collaborative and informal environment where millennials thrive.
So, what’s best practice for using Instagram for business?
- Engage influencers to promote your product
- Build your active audience through incentive strategies
- Focus on a 60/40 brand and retail split
- Create a consistent look and feel to build brand
- Mix in stories and Instagram ads for more engagement
- Generate campaigns and movements around unique hashtags
- Feature BTS content to give audience a fresh and real look at your business
Got a preference? Speak to us about how a business loan could help you make money happen on any social channel. Apply now.
