It seems like every time you open your laptop there is a new social network to join. Looking at my email every day I can tell you I am solicited to share, view and connect on sites which I honestly can’t even remember the reason for joining in the first place. We all know the standard trinity of social sites: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn of course. While most companies can benefit from this trifecta, there are other networks that are reaching new audiences with specific interests from which small businesses may be able to benefit.
The new social is more about apps like Snapchat, Instagram and Periscope. But what do you really know about them? Should you be snapping or gramming? Check out this cheat sheet to help you discover how these lesser known platforms can help your brand visibility and business accessibility.
Using Instagram for Your Business
When you don’t have time to check out a video, photos are the next best thing. Instagram has become a gathering place for image-centric amateur photogs. We promise, it’s not ALL Kardashian pictures. Instagram continues to integrate with other platforms like Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook, making it easy to use content from the photo platform to share with all of your other communities. With their newest partnership, if you are advertising on Facebook, you can advertise on Instagram with the same campaign, making it easier than ever to spread a consistent message across platforms.
If you aren’t familiar with the platform, Instagram focuses much less on text and much more on images. It’s a way to share moments with friends, followers and fans in an instant with very little explanation. This is the best app for those on the move. If you don’t have time to put thought into a tweet 10 times a day or carefully construct a Facebook post, then this is for you. A well-executed campaign on Instagram can make you or your business Instafamous! A picture is worth a thousand words after all.
Using Periscope for Your Business
Named Apple’s 2015 iPhone App of the Year, Periscope is the Twitter-owned live streaming video app. If you’ve been paying attention you’ll know that video is the way to go in 2016 and Periscope offers small business a very easy and affordable way to do so. The sky really is the limit with this app. You can give your customers a look behind the scenes of how your product is made, how your team collaborates and more. Heading to a speaking engagement or conference? Periscope is an excellent way to keep folks up-to-date on the latest and greatest in real time. Webinars are made easy, and if you don’t have time to put a full presentation together, just a few quick tips during the day could be enough to help put a human face and voice to your business.
Periscope works much the same as standard social media platforms with followers who can share their approval of your video stream by sending you hearts *aw.*.The app integrates with Twitter to share your video on the fast-paced social platform or videos can be made private to be delivered to a select audience (think VIP or Premium content). Best of all? Any videos you create can be saved for sharing later. Candid is fun! People love to see off-the-cuff moments, and with Periscope it possible to let your fans and customers in on the magic! So grab your phone, download the app and start recording!
Using Snapchat for Your Business
Creating a sense of urgency is never an issue with Snapchat. This is the platform that eludes many over the age of 25. Seemingly built for those with a short attention span, Snapchat gives a user no more than 10 seconds to save or share videos as they are recorded before they disappear. That brings new meaning to ‘a limited time offer’.. Snapchat gives a VIP feel to most everything you do. Releasing images of new products or promotions on the service before they are available to the general public creates demand and makes your followers feel in-the-know. If they capture it in time, your loyal fans can help you go viral by sharing your content before it is erased from existence. While it might not be right for everyone with the vast majority of its users in the 18-24 age range, those that can leverage this platform to their advantage now will reap the benefits.
Are you being social enough? Contact our office for a free consultation and discover what Hot Dog Marketing can do to help!
My philosophy is more than just words or data, it is finding a way to marry content and SEO strategy with dynamic advertising to build online equity in our clients’ businesses. Writing is my passion, using it to help others is my pleasure and part of my mission at Hot Dog Marketing.