Social Media Platforms For Business 2017

Social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives, transforming the way we connect, communicate, and conduct business. In the year 2017, social media platforms have emerged as powerful tools for businesses to reach their target audiences, build brand awareness, and drive sales. According to a recent survey, 97% of marketers are using social media to reach their audience, highlighting its undeniable significance in the advertising industry.

The history of social media platforms for business dates back to the early 2000s when platforms like MySpace and Friendster gained popularity. However, it wasn’t until the launch of Facebook in 2004 that the true potential of social media for business started to materialize. Facebook quickly became the go-to platform for individuals and businesses alike, offering a wide range of advertising options and targeting capabilities. Today, Facebook boasts over 2.7 billion monthly active users, making it an advertising goldmine for businesses.

One of the most engaging elements of social media platforms for business is the ability to target specific demographics with precision. Unlike traditional forms of advertising, social media provides businesses with the tools to narrow down their audience based on factors like age, gender, location, interests, and behaviors. This targeted approach allows businesses to deliver relevant content to their audience, increasing the chances of conversion and maximizing return on investment.

Moreover, social media platforms offer a variety of ad formats to suit different advertising goals and budgets. Whether it’s a simple text ad, an eye-catching image, or a captivating video, businesses can choose the format that best aligns with their marketing objectives. This flexibility empowers businesses of all sizes to leverage social media advertising, regardless of their budgetary constraints.

Furthermore, the growing influence of social media platforms has led to the rise of influencer marketing. Influencers, who have amassed a significant following on social media, collaborate with brands to promote their products or services. This form of marketing allows businesses to tap into the influencers’ loyal fan base and benefit from their credibility and trust. Studies have shown that 49% of consumers rely on influencer recommendations when making purchase decisions, highlighting the power of this advertising strategy.

In conclusion, social media platforms for business have evolved tremendously over the years, providing businesses with unparalleled opportunities to connect with their target audience and drive business growth. The ability to target specific demographics, a wide range of ad formats, and the rise of influencer marketing are just a few of the engaging elements associated with social media advertising. As businesses continue to embrace the power of social media, it is clear that these platforms will remain a vital component of any advertising strategy in 2017 and beyond.

What are the best social media platforms for businesses in 2017 and how can they improve your online advertising strategy?

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It has also played a significant role in revolutionizing the way businesses market and advertise their products or services. With millions of users actively engaged on various social media platforms, leveraging these platforms for business can greatly enhance your online advertising strategy. In this article, we will explore the top social media platforms for businesses in 2017 and delve into how they can help improve your online advertising efforts.

First and foremost, let’s understand what social media platforms for businesses actually mean. Social media platforms provide businesses with a virtual space to connect and engage with their target audience. These platforms offer various features that allow businesses to share their content, promote their products or services, and interact with their customers. In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, leveraging social media platforms has become crucial for businesses to stay relevant and competitive.

Nowadays, there are numerous social media platforms available for businesses to choose from, each with its own unique features and advantages. The key is to identify the platforms that align with your business goals and target audience. One of the most popular social media platforms for businesses is Facebook. With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook provides businesses with an extensive reach and the ability to target specific demographics. Whether you are a local business or a global corporation, Facebook offers powerful advertising tools and targeting options to help you reach your desired audience and achieve your marketing objectives.

Another platform that cannot be overlooked is Instagram. As a visually-oriented platform, Instagram has gained immense popularity among businesses, particularly those in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries. With over 1 billion active users, Instagram allows businesses to showcase their products or services in a visually appealing manner through photos and videos. The platform also offers advertising options such as sponsored posts and stories, enabling businesses to reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness.

LinkedIn, on the other hand, is the go-to platform for professionals and B2B businesses. With more than 750 million users worldwide, LinkedIn provides businesses with a platform to establish their industry expertise, connect with other professionals, and generate leads. It offers various advertising formats such as sponsored content, text ads, and sponsored InMail, allowing businesses to target professionals based on their job titles, industries, and interests.

Twitter, known for its concise messaging and real-time updates, is another social media platform that businesses should consider incorporating into their online advertising strategy. With approximately 330 million monthly active users, Twitter offers a unique opportunity for businesses to engage with their audience in real-time, share updates, and drive conversation around their brand. Twitter’s advertising options such as Promoted Tweets and Trends can help businesses increase their reach and create buzz around their products or services.

While these are just a few examples, it’s important to remember that the choice of social media platforms should be based on your target audience and business objectives. Each platform has its own advantages and nuances, so it’s essential to thoroughly analyze your options before deciding which platforms are the best fit for your business.

In the following sections of this article, we will dive deeper into each of these social media platforms, discussing their specific features, advertising options, and strategies to maximize your online advertising efforts. Whether you are a small business looking to increase brand awareness or a large corporation aiming to drive conversions, understanding the potential of social media platforms for businesses in 2017 is crucial for achieving your advertising goals.

Social Media Platforms For Business 2017: A Guide to Boosting Your Online Advertising

In today’s fast-paced digital world, social media has become an essential tool for businesses to reach and engage with their target audience. As we dive into the realm of Social Media Platforms for Business in 2017, it is crucial to understand which platforms are worth investing your time and resources into, to ensure maximum return on your online advertising efforts. In this article, we will explore the top social media platforms that businesses should consider leveraging in 2017.

1. Facebook

With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook remains the undisputed king of social media platforms for businesses. Its immense user base and advanced targeting options make it an ideal platform for online advertising. In 2017, Facebook’s advertising features have only become more powerful, allowing businesses to hyper-target their ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. This level of precision ensures that your ads are shown to the right people, increasing the chances of conversions and ROI.

Facebook’s advertising options include display ads, carousel ads, video ads, and lead ads, providing businesses with a wide range of formats to choose from. Moreover, Facebook’s integration with Instagram gives businesses an additional opportunity to tap into a visually-driven audience, making it a truly comprehensive platform for online advertising.

2. Instagram

In recent years, Instagram has skyrocketed in popularity, making it a powerful platform for businesses looking to engage with younger audiences. With over 1 billion monthly active users, the platform offers a visually immersive experience that is perfect for showcasing products and services. Instagram’s acquisition by Facebook has also allowed businesses to seamlessly manage their ads on both platforms, streamlining their online advertising efforts.

In 2017, Instagram introduced several new advertising features such as shoppable posts and Instagram Stories ads. Shoppable posts enable businesses to tag products in their posts, allowing users to shop directly from within the app. On the other hand, Instagram Stories ads provide businesses with a creative canvas to tell their brand story, using a combination of images and videos. These features have made Instagram an indispensable platform for businesses looking to boost their online advertising game in 2017.

3. Twitter

Although Twitter’s user base may not be as large as Facebook or Instagram, it remains a powerful platform for businesses to connect with their audience in real-time. With over 330 million monthly active users, Twitter provides a unique platform for businesses to engage in conversations and participate in trending topics. The real-time nature of Twitter’s feed allows businesses to stay at the forefront of discussions, making it ideal for news updates, customer support, and industry-related updates.

Twitter’s advertising options include promoted tweets, promoted accounts, and promoted trends. Promoted tweets help amplify your brand’s reach by targeting specific keywords or user interests, while promoted accounts increase your followership. Promoted trends, on the other hand, allow businesses to generate buzz around their brand by ensuring their hashtag appears in the list of trending topics.

4. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the go-to social media platform for professionals and businesses in the B2B space. With over 740 million users, it offers a unique opportunity to reach decision-makers, industry experts, and niche audiences. In 2017, LinkedIn significantly enhanced its advertising capabilities, providing businesses with more precise targeting options, such as job title, company, and industry.

LinkedIn’s advertising options include sponsored content, text ads, and sponsored InMail. Sponsored content appears directly in users’ feeds, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement. Text ads, on the other hand, target users based on their professional attributes, appearing on the sidebar or top banner of the LinkedIn interface. Sponsored InMail enables businesses to send personalized messages directly to their target audience’s inbox, allowing for a more personalized approach.

5. YouTube

As the second-largest search engine in the world, YouTube offers businesses a unique opportunity to reach an audience hungry for video content. With over 2 billion monthly logged-in users, YouTube’s reach is immense, making it an excellent platform for businesses looking to maximize their online advertising efforts in 2017.

YouTube’s advertising options include display ads, skippable and non-skippable video ads, overlay ads, and sponsored cards. These various formats ensure that businesses can create engaging ad campaigns that cater to their specific goals and target audience. Furthermore, YouTube’s integration with Google Ads allows businesses to take advantage of advanced targeting options, ensuring their ads are shown to the right viewers at the right time.

In conclusion, when it comes to social media platforms for business in 2017, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube emerged as the top contenders. Each platform offers unique features, targeting options, and opportunities for businesses to connect with their audience and boost their online advertising efforts. As businesses continue to navigate the ever-changing digital landscape, it is essential to stay updated with the latest trends and adapt strategies according to the platform’s offerings. By leveraging the right social media platforms for business in 2017, businesses can unlock the full potential of their online advertising campaigns and drive meaningful results.

According to a survey conducted by eMarketer, 72% of businesses believe that social media advertising is effective for their business growth in 2021.

Key Takeaways for Social Media Platforms For Business 2017

As an online advertising service or advertising network, understanding the importance of social media platforms for business in 2017 is crucial. With the ever-changing landscape of social media and its influence on consumer behavior, staying informed about the latest trends and strategies is essential. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the key takeaways for social media platforms for business in 2017, allowing you to optimize your advertising efforts and connect with your target audience effectively.

1. The Dominance of Facebook

Facebook continues to be the leader among social media platforms. With over 2 billion active users worldwide, it presents an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to engage with their audience and drive conversions.

2. The Rise of Instagram

Instagram has witnessed significant growth, especially among younger demographics. Its visual-driven nature and high engagement rates make it an ideal platform for showcasing your products or services in a visually appealing way.

3. Exploring Twitter’s Potential

While Twitter may not have the same user base as Facebook or Instagram, its real-time nature and influential users make it a powerful platform for generating buzz around your brand and reaching a highly engaged audience.

4. Leveraging LinkedIn for B2B Marketing

LinkedIn remains a must-have for businesses targeting professionals or engaging in B2B marketing. The platform’s professional networking capabilities and robust advertising tools make it an effective choice for reaching decision-makers in various industries.

5. The Power of Video on YouTube

With the growing popularity of video content, YouTube continues to dominate as a platform for hosting and promoting videos. Integrating video marketing into your social media strategy can help increase brand visibility and engagement.

6. Engaging with Audiences on Snapchat

Snapchat’s ephemeral nature and younger user base provide unique marketing opportunities. By creating engaging, authentic content on Snapchat, businesses can connect with their audience on a more personal level.

7. Pinterest for Visual Discovery

Pinterest’s focus on visual discovery makes it an ideal platform for businesses with visually appealing products or services. By utilizing rich pins and optimizing content for discovery, businesses can tap into Pinterest’s engaged user base.

8. The Emergence of Live Video

In 2017, live video became a prominent feature on various social media platforms. Incorporating live video into your marketing strategy can help create an authentic connection with your audience and provide a unique, interactive experience.

9. Social Media Influencer Marketing

Collaborating with social media influencers can be a highly effective way to reach a wide and engaged audience. Identifying and partnering with influencers who align with your brand can help amplify your reach and build credibility.

10. The Growing Significance of Messaging Apps

Messaging apps, such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, have gained immense popularity. Businesses can leverage these platforms to provide personalized customer support, deliver targeted marketing messages, and drive conversions.

11. The Importance of Social Listening

Monitoring social media conversations and sentiment regarding your brand is crucial in understanding your audience and addressing their needs effectively. Social listening allows you to gather actionable insights and adapt your advertising strategies accordingly.

12. Adapting to Algorithm Changes

Social media platforms frequently update their algorithms, affecting the visibility of organic content. It is essential to stay informed about these changes and adapt your advertising strategies to ensure maximum reach and engagement with your target audience.

13. Data and Analytics for Optimization

Utilizing data and analytics available on social media platforms allows you to measure the success of your advertising campaigns and make informed decisions. By analyzing metrics such as reach, engagement, and conversions, you can optimize your strategies for better results.

14. Cross-platform Integration

Integrating your social media efforts across multiple platforms can help reinforce your branding and expand your reach. By maintaining consistent messaging and adapting content to suit each platform, you can create a cohesive online presence.

15. Adapting to Mobile-first Experiences

In an increasingly mobile-centric world, businesses must prioritize creating mobile-first experiences. Optimizing your content and advertising strategies for mobile devices ensures that you can effectively connect with consumers who predominantly access social media through their smartphones.

By implementing these key takeaways in your advertising strategies, you can harness the power of social media platforms for business in 2017. As the landscape continues to evolve, staying agile and informed will enable you to create impactful campaigns, engage with your audience, and drive business growth.

FAQs: Social Media Platforms For Business 2017

1. Which social media platforms are most effective for advertising my business?

The most effective social media platforms for advertising your business in 2017 include:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

2. How can Facebook benefit my business?

Facebook allows you to reach a wide audience and target specific demographics with its powerful advertising tools. It also offers detailed analytics to track the performance of your ads.

3. What are the advantages of using Instagram for business advertising?

Instagram, being a visually-oriented platform, is ideal for businesses looking to showcase their products or services through captivating images and videos. It also offers high engagement rates and a younger user base.

4. How can Twitter help my business with advertising?

Twitter’s real-time nature allows your business to engage with customers immediately. It is a great platform to boost brand awareness, reach influencers, and participate in trending conversations.

5. What benefits does LinkedIn provide for business advertising?

LinkedIn is predominantly a professional networking platform that enables you to target professionals in specific industries or job roles. It is an effective platform for B2B advertising and establishing thought leadership.

6. Is it necessary to be active on all social media platforms for my business?

No, it is not necessary to be active on all platforms. It is important to focus on the platforms where your target audience is most active and engaged. Quality engagement on a few platforms is better than a lackluster presence on many.

7. How can I effectively manage multiple social media platforms?

Using social media management tools, such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social, can help you schedule posts, monitor engagement, and analyze performance across multiple platforms. These tools streamline your efforts and save time.

8. What strategies can I use to optimize my social media advertising?

Some strategies to optimize your social media advertising include:

• Creating engaging and visually appealing content
• Targeting specific demographics or interests
• Using compelling call-to-action statements
• A/B testing different ad variations
• Monitoring and analyzing performance to make data-driven decisions

9. How do I measure the success of my social media advertising campaigns?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your social media advertising campaigns include:

• Impressions and reach
• Click-through rates (CTR)
• Engagement rates (likes, comments, shares)
• Conversion rates
• Return on investment (ROI)

10. How can I effectively target my audience on social media?

Most social media platforms offer advanced targeting options, such as age, location, interests, behaviors, and even job titles. Utilizing these targeting features helps ensure your ads reach the right audience and maximize your advertising budget.

11. Are there any legal considerations when advertising on social media?

Yes, when advertising on social media, you need to ensure compliance with relevant advertising laws and regulations. This includes disclosing sponsored content, respecting privacy rights, and adhering to platform-specific guidelines.

12. Can social media advertising help boost my website traffic?

Absolutely! Social media advertising can drive traffic to your website through targeted ads and compelling call-to-action statements, resulting in increased visibility and potential conversions.

13. How often should I post on social media for business advertising?

The optimal posting frequency may vary depending on the platform and your target audience’s behavior. Generally, one to two quality posts per day on each platform is a good starting point. Regularly monitor your engagement metrics to determine the ideal posting frequency.

14. Should I consider partnering with influencers for social media advertising?

Influencer marketing can be a powerful strategy to expand your reach and capture new audiences. Collaborating with influencers relevant to your industry can help generate brand awareness and trust among their followers.

15. Is it worth investing in paid social media advertising?

Investing in paid social media advertising is definitely worth it. Paid advertising on social media platforms provides access to advanced targeting options, wider reach, and better analytics, allowing you to optimize your campaigns for better results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Social Media Platforms for Business in 2017 have proven to be an invaluable tool for online advertising services and advertising networks. The key points and insights covered in this article highlight the importance of leveraging social media platforms to reach a wider audience, engage with customers, promote products and services, and ultimately drive business growth.

Firstly, it is evident that social media has a massive user base, making it an ideal platform for online advertising. With billions of active users across various social media platforms, businesses have a unique opportunity to reach a large audience and increase brand awareness. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the target audience and selecting the right social media platforms to maximize reach and engagement. By utilizing features like targeted advertising and sponsored content, businesses can tailor their messages to specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, ensuring that their advertising efforts are effective and efficient.

Secondly, this article highlights the power of social media platforms to engage with customers and build relationships. Social media provides businesses with a direct line of communication to their target audience, allowing for real-time interactions and feedback. The article emphasizes the importance of actively engaging with followers, responding to comments and messages, and providing valuable content that resonates with the audience. By fostering a positive online community and creating authentic connections, businesses can gain loyal customers and brand advocates. Social media also allows for the promotion of products and services through creative and visually appealing content. By utilizing features such as video advertising, live streaming, and influencer partnerships, businesses can showcase their offerings in a compelling and innovative way, capturing the attention of their target audience and driving conversions.

Additionally, this article highlights the analytical capabilities of social media platforms. The data and insights provided by these platforms allow businesses to measure the success and impact of their advertising campaigns. By tracking metrics such as reach, engagement, click-through rates, and conversions, businesses can refine their strategies and optimize their advertising efforts. The article stresses the importance of regularly reviewing and analyzing this data to identify trends, understand customer preferences, and make informed decisions.

Furthermore, this article emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date with the ever-changing landscape of social media platforms. With new features, algorithms, and trends constantly emerging, businesses need to adapt their strategies to remain competitive. The article recommends staying informed through industry news, attending conferences and webinars, and keeping a pulse on the latest social media updates. By staying ahead of the curve, businesses can continue to leverage social media platforms effectively and stay relevant in the online advertising industry.

Overall, the insights and key points covered in this article demonstrate the significant role that social media platforms play for online advertising services and advertising networks in 2017. From reaching a wider audience, engaging with customers, promoting products and services, to measuring success and staying up-to-date with the latest trends, social media platforms offer numerous opportunities for businesses to thrive in the digital landscape. By harnessing the power of social media, businesses can enhance their online presence, drive customer engagement, and ultimately achieve business growth.