If you’re really determined to use social media to advertise/sell your work and have already understood the difference between Advertising and Content, it’s time to think about what type of content you’ll share with your audience… but not before deciding what media to be present on.
So, the steps to be taken are the following:
1- Choose your preferred channels of contact with your clients:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, E-mail, Phone, Pinterest, Snapchat, Blog, Flickr etc.
2- Decide the type of content you’ll share:
– Photography – Facebook, Instagram, Blogs, Flickr
– Articles – LinkedIn, Facebook
– Photos and articles – Blogs
– Videos – Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok
– Gifs – Facebook, Stories, Instagram, Tik Tok
– E-mail – E-mail Marketing, Newsletter
– Games
Etc.
In order to make an accurate choice, it’s necessary to research to know if your audience is really present on a certain channel and to decide whether this channel is the one on which you wish to create your community. On Google you can find surveys that point out the age and user profile for each channel.
Let’s assume that you’re a teacher that teaches online and sells materials (e-books, videos, etc.) and your audience has the following characteristics: adult, with a degree, already active in the market, in search of training and updates in their area of expertise. I’d say, without further analysis, that LinkedIn (+ Youtube) would be the best channel for you to use to form your community and establish contact with them. As for secondary channels, maybe Facebook and Instagram. Remember: Less is also more online. Especially if you are feeding your channels alone, you don’t need to be on multiple channels, so centralize your work.
Now, if you’re an online teacher and target a younger audience, having YouTube as an official channel and TIK TOK, Instagram, and Facebook as secondary channels could be a great idea. Why? Because young audiences will be easier to reach through social media and channels that offer space for more freedom, creativity, and relaxation.
It’s clear that in a more complex communication process, in which there’s already engagement and a high number of followers, it would be easier to identify secondary channels because in this scenario decisions could be based entirely on the needs of your audience. However, when starting out, demographics, your skills, and the product sold should be strongly considered in de decision-making process.
In addition, the product sold has to find advertising space on the correct channel. So, if your audience is mostly on Twitter and Instagram and you sell decorative items for beach houses, for example, you’ll have a great challenge to advertise on Twitter. On the other hand, Instagram, which is a more visual social network, seems ideal for this purpose. When we talk about skills, we must remember that if you don’t do well in front of a camera, perhaps your best choice is to write/take pictures. In short, sell your work in the best way possible by using your greatest skills.
Below, I’ll mention some channels that I like and, which, in my opinion, provide excellent information services and fulfill the duty of promoting the product and service that they offer in a simple and clear way – in some cases, they even facilitate the purchase process:
*Decorative items:
https://www.instagram.com/hmhome/
1- Short texts
2- Photos that speak for themselves
3- The possibility of easily buying the item shown in the photo (mobile version)
*Food/Recipes:
https://www.instagram.com/nytcooking/
1-Photos very well taken
2-Very short description
3-Easy to find the recipe on the Bio link (5 stars)
*Fashion:
https://www.instagram.com/deninamartincollection/
1- Bilingual channel
2- Impeccable photos
3- The possibility of easily buying the item (mobile version)
* Language class: + Youtube
https://www.facebook.com/mmmenglish/?ref=br_rs
1- Consistency
2- Excellent content
* Vlog – French cuisine:
https://www.youtube.com/user/leplatdujourTV
1- Excellent videos – well produced
2- Cuisine and historical facts
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Read the previous related articles:
1- 5 Steps to Effective Digital Marketing
2- Advertising is not everything, but knowledge given in simplicity is the heart of business
