Social media has been a constant in our daily lives for years. It is estimated that more than half of the world's population uses them, which is equivalent to more than 4 billion people.
For marketing professionals, social media is an unparalleled opportunity to promote a brand to customers and target audiences.
But,
Do you really know what a social network is and how it differs from social media?
How can you choose the best one for your brand?
What are the most popular social networks and what are their marketing advantages?
We explain everything in this article!
Social networks are digital platforms that connect people with common interests, activities or relationships (such as friendship, family or work). These platforms allow communication between the individuals that make up them and function as a means of exchanging information. The information published by a user can be public or private.
The terms social networks and "social media" are often used interchangeably, but in reality they are different concepts.
Social media refers to the use of digital technologies to facilitate interactive dialogue between people. It is a broad concept that includes not only social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter, but also videos, blogs and other websites that offer the possibility of interacting with other people.
On the other hand, social networks are a type of social media coo mailing list focused on connecting people with each other. Each user creates a profile and interacts with other people by sharing information.
There are several types of social networks. Personal social networks, such as Facebook, are designed to connect individuals with each other based on their personal connections. Entertainment social networks, such as YouTube, focus more on sharing content than building relationships. Professional social networks, such as LinkedIn, are designed for networking, posting information about our professional achievements, finding jobs, and other professional-related purposes. Niche social networks, such as DeviantArt or Goodreads, are geared toward people with a specific common interest, whether professional or personal.
It is important to note that although this classification is based on the original purpose of each network, many social networks offer flexibility in terms of their uses. For example, Instagram can be a personal, entertainment or even professional network.
Another possible classification is to divide social networks between horizontal or generic networks and vertical networks or those specialized in a specific niche.
Some of the most important social networks are:
Facebook, with more than 2.9 billion active users worldwide
YouTube, with more than 2.53 billion active users and more than 1 billion videos viewed on this platform every day
WhatsApp , the most popular messaging social network worldwide, with around 2 billion active users
Facebook Messenger, the second most used instant messaging application worldwide, with more than 1 billion active users
Instagram , with more than 1.5 billion active users
Weixin/WeChat, a multi-faceted Chinese social network with a base of over 1.3 billion active users
TikTok, the trendy social network with more than 1 billion active users that focuses on sharing short video content
QQ , one of the most popular networks in China with more than 600 million users;
Douyin, often referred to as “the Chinese TikTok,” also has around 730 million active users.
Facebook, despite being thought by some to be out of fashion, continues to dominate in terms of active users. Being a generalist social network, it can be adapted to the strategies of a wide variety of brands, especially B2C. YouTube, the world leader in video formats, offers great advantages in terms of visibility.
WhatsApp stands out for its speed and convenience as a customer service channel , while Facebook Messenger, with its integration into Instagram messaging, is a channel with great potential for brands that have a Facebook page. Instagram, largely influenced by the phenomenon of influencers, is one of the most used platforms to promote brands.
WeChat, although less known in our latitudes, offers many interesting options for online marketing and internal organizational management.
TikTok is particularly well suited to connecting with younger users and has a growing community of influencers and monetization and advertising options.
Finally, QQ and Douyin are options worth considering for companies doing business in China, with their respective advantages and unique features.
However, all of these platforms offer various opportunities for marketers to increase brand visibility, engage with audiences, and achieve marketing goals.
After all, social media is an essential tool, but choosing the right platform and using it strategically can make the difference between the success and failure of your business. At GX Live Marketing, we are experts in designing social media marketing strategies that adapt to your brand, reaching your target audience effectively and generating real engagement.
Are you ready to take your digital marketing strategy to the next level and connect with your customers like never before?
Together, we can make your social media work for you. Get in touch.