Managing social media platforms for different audiences
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the most prominent social media platforms that exist, and if you want your business to survive, it better be plastered over all three of them. But even if youre ticking all social media marketing boxes, are you filtering these check-points into the right platforms?
Facebook was established in 2004 and is home to 71 per cent of all internet users. In other words, Twitter and Instagram look up at Facebook and tug at its shirt asking it for loose change. But let us take a look at the demographics.
We can see that Facebooks audience is reasonably equal in terms of gender, ethnicity, income, location and education. However, a massive 60 per cent of 50-60 year-olds are on here! Now this percentage might seem low compared to the 84 per cent of all 18-29 year-olds but when we compare this to just 9 per cent of Twitter users and 6 per cent of Instagram users of this age range, you can understand why my eyes are currently the size of a hungry labradors.
So, from those numbers we can see that Facebook is home to almost all of the 50-64 year olds that use Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Therefore, if you want your business to be reached by a wide range of ages, Facebook is where you target the more.
Another important point of note with this platform is the location of the users is more or less evenly spread over rural, suburban and urban settings. Although this might not appear as though it requires special attention, the location demographics of Twitter and Instagram show an almost non-existent rural audience in comparison to those from other areas. This means that Facebook is your best chance at targeting those country bumpkins; those people who may have retired to a house in the country with a bouncy little pension to spend on what you have to sell them
So dont post exclusively about the freakin weekend on Facebook, or over-dominate it with pictures of your shops lovely tie-dye items. Instead, imagine youre communicating with an older audience and steer a few posts towards life in the country. Think about what 50-64-year old are looking for from a business on social media. Engage with them, post thought provoking updates and by all means, use your social media charm, just filter your bank of updates before it reaches Facebook and use it as your contact with the older demographic on your CMS page.
In 2006, Twitter came flouncing through the swinging doors of social media and took a seat at the head of the table. And it hasnt looked back since. With 18 per cent of all Internet users using the platform, Twitters micro-blogging nature was an instant hit.
As a business, if youre not using Twitter, well, frankly Im speechless. Where anywhere else, constant posts may seem annoying or self-absorbed, Twitters quick, flowing pace encourages continuous posting throughout the day, getting their word out there and continuously increasing followers and engagement.
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Managing social media platforms for different audiences