The 5 Types of Social Media Marketing

Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is huge. Nearly 50% of the world’s population now uses social media, including 90.4% of Millenials and 77.5% of GenerationX.

If you’re a marketer or entrepreneur, it’s important to understand the different types of social media marketing and how to use them. So, here’s everything you need to know.

What is social media marketing?

Social media marketing uses various social platforms to reach your business goals, which could be to boost brand awareness, increase sales, drive website traffic, or something else.

There are many approaches to take. Some of the most effective are publishing awesome online content, engaging with customers, and running advertising campaigns.

Social media is now vital to most businesses and can be used in a multitude of ways. For example, it can monitor feedback, be part of conversations, analyze engagement and performance, or target specific groups of people.

Different types of social media marketing

Social media has transformed the way people communicate. It’s frequently used for staying in touch with friends and family and networking with like-minded people.

It’s also changed the way businesses operate. Many consumers now use it for online shopping and connecting with brands, and it’s a key part of purchasing decisions.

Here are some of the ways social media can be used for marketing purposes:

1. Content

Content marketing is one of the most effective types of social media marketing. Sharing content is a great way to grow your audience and build your brand online.

There are several types of content to consider, and most brands choose more than one as this helps them reach a larger audience much faster.

You can use text posts and blog articles using platforms like WordPress or Blogger, images using Instagram or Snapchat, video content using a site like YouTube, or podcasts using an online platform such as Podbean.

2. Networking

Another essential component of strong social media marketing is networking. This is what social media was designed for and, now more than ever, consumers expect brands to engage with them and take part in online conversations.

Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are ideal for networking and sending out marketing messages, like announcing events or promotions. They can also be used to find hashtags and trends and join groups.

It’s also a great idea to network offline. Try and find like-minded people at networking events, so you can share your experiences and get valuable advice.

Make sure you hand out business cards, too. If you don’t have any business cards, you can create some using a tool like BusinessCards.

Additionally, discussion sites like Quora or Reddit are fantastic for joining relevant conversations and answering questions, attracting more customers.

3. Reviews

Word-of-mouth marketing is also great for growing a business. People trust reviews, so make sure your business is registered with a review site like Yelp or TripAdvisor.

This type of marketing can drive your business forward by collecting customer feedback and opinions. This makes your business appear more trustworthy and credible.

4. Advertising

Of course, you can use social media for greater organic reach. But, if you want to take it a step further, you can also create paid advertising campaigns.

Which platform you use for this depends on your audience. Facebook has a large and varied audience, so it’s a popular choice for many brands. It also allows you to target very specific audiences in its campaigns.

Alternatively, many other sites offer paid ads for businesses. For instance, if you’re targeting a younger crowd, you might choose to use Instagram or Snapchat. Or, if you want to target professionals or B2B customers, LinkedIn is a perfect choice.

5. Research

Lastly, research is central to social media marketing. You can use these platforms to research your customers’ interests, as well as current trends in your industry. You can then use your findings to tailor your product and service to suit the market.