Social media is as pervasive as it is important in business today, which is why countless business owners have flocked to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to promote their services and connect with customers. Many myths abound regarding best social media practices, however, making it difficult to navigate the world of digital marketing. Here are three facts business owners may not know about social media:
1. Social media is not just a young person’s game
Many entrepreneurs take to online platforms to attract young customers, who are often proclaimed as the most frequent social media users. While tweeting, posting to Facebook and linking to BuzzFeed articles may be second nature to millennials, businesses should make sure to reach out to other generations, too, and for good reason. It turns out, according to a recent report conducted by RadiumOne, millennials are actually the least likely group to interact with and share a brand’s online content.
Surprisingly, online users between the ages of 55 and 64 are most likely to engage with and share a brand’s social media content on mobile devices and desktops. Approximately 41 percent of baby boomers share companies’ social media content, while just 19 percent of millennials do the same.
2. Copy and paste outstrips Facebook and Twitter
When most people think of online sharing, they think of Facebook and Twitter. That explains why so many companies share exciting news, deals and blog posts on these and other social media outlets. This is indeed a strong foundation for a digital marketing campaign, but the RadiumOne study found that people are sharing in more ways than many think.
“We live in a world of sharing,” wrote Rupert Staines, managing director of RadiumOne. “Billions of articles, items, and links are shared every single day. However, when people think ‘sharing,’ they immediately think Facebook and Twitter. This is a mistake, and an even bigger mistake for marketers, as sharing on these networks really is just the tip of the iceberg.”
According to the study, 72 percent of people are still using the copy and paste method when sharing information rather than taking to Facebook or Twitter. The majority of copy and paste sharing on mobile devices happens on iOS systems and most often occur between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m
3. Weekdays are most popular for sharing
It’s a common myth that content is shared most often on weekends when, in theory, consumers are free to browse online and spend more time on social media. This simply isn’t true, the study found. Instead, people engage in social media sharing practices 49 percent more often on weekdays, making it important for businesses to keep their blogs, Twitter and Facebook accounts active Monday through Friday.
What’s more, users are 10 times more likely to click on content related to food or food services on Thursdays than Saturdays, and sports content is clicked on four times as often on Mondays and Tuesdays than Saturdays.
Social media continues to grow at a rapid pace, providing business owners with countless opportunities to interact with their consumer base. Busy company leaders and other professionals don’t always have time to post a well thought out and shareable piece of content, however, which is why there has been a sharp rise in social media positions throughout the business world. Hiring a professional dedicated to fielding social media requests and engaging with consumers may be a great move, but it’s not necessarily cheap. Those interested in exploring their financial options in order to gain access to more working capital should contact National Funding to find out more.
