Why do people use social media?
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Here at Embryo, we appreciate just how important it is to stay up to date with the latest trends, it’s our job to be on top with the latest developments in the industry.
People use social media for a variety of reasons, as it offers a platform for communication, connection, education and sharing content in the digital world. This is why it’s reported in 2022, that over 4.59 billion people use social media worldwide (almost 60% of the world’s population).
Due to the different platforms’ diversity, we’ve broken down what each platform is mainly used for. This will help you understand the sheer power of social and will allow you to resonate with people spending on average just over 2 hours a day on social media!
At Embryo, we have an award-winning paid social team that takes pride in growing brands’ social media presence across all digital channels. If this is something you’d like to leverage for your business then get in touch today at 0161 327 2635 or email us at [email protected].
Social media is an online platform where people can create profiles, share content like posts and pictures, interact with others, and connect with friends and followers from anywhere in the world. Popular social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
People use social media for various reasons, and it serves different purposes in their lives. Some of the common reasons why people use social media include:
- Social connection: it allows individuals to connect and stay in touch with friends, family members, and acquaintances, regardless of geographical distances. It helps them maintain relationships regularly.
- Networking and professional opportunities: Social media platforms like LinkedIn are used for professional networking, job searching, and building business connections. It allows individuals to show their skills and experiences, connect with potential employers or clients, and stay informed about industry trends.
- Information and news: This is a significant source of news and information for many people. They follow news outlets, journalists, and organisations to stay updated on current events, trends, and developments in various fields.
- Entertainment and leisure: offers a wide range of entertaining content, including videos, memes, photos, and user-generated content. Some people use it as a way to relax, have fun, and pass the time.
- Support and community: enable people to join groups or communities centered around shared interests or hobbies, and receive support from others who may be going through similar experiences.
- Marketing and business promotion: Businesses and brands use social media as a powerful marketing tool to reach and engage with their target audience, build brand awareness, and promote products or services.
- Learning and education: It can be a valuable resource for learning, as users can follow educational content creators, participate in discussions, and access a vast array of informative posts and articles.
- Charity: Via reach and visibility, social media platforms have billions of active users, allowing charities to reach a vast audience quickly and easily.
People use social media platforms for various reasons, and usage patterns may have changed over time. Here’s a breakdown of some common social media platforms and the reasons why people use them:
Facebook: Facebook is one of the earliest and most popular social media platforms. It remains a primary tool for people to stay in touch with loved ones, share updates, and view photos and videos. Meta’s oldest platform provides a vast network for people to connect with others who share similar interests or belong to the same communities or groups.
X (formerly known as Twitter): This controversial platform (since being taken over Elon Musk) is known for its quick, real-time updates, making it a popular platform for news, current events, and staying informed about various topics. Twitter, or X, users can share short messages (tweets) with a large audience, allowing for easy communication with followers and engagement with individuals.
Instagram: It’s primarily focused on photo and video sharing, making it a great platform for showcasing creative content, lifestyle, travel, and visual storytelling. Instagram is also known as the home of influencer culture. Many users follow influencers and celebrities to keep up with trends, products, and lifestyle choices. It’s one of the most popular social media platforms due to its growth rate.
LinkedIn: It’s a great platform for building and maintaining professional connections, seeking job opportunities, and showcasing skills and expertise. Users can access valuable content on LinkedIn that is related to their professional fields and stay informed about industry news and trends.
Snapchat: Snapchat is known for its disappearing content, which appeals to users who prefer privacy and short-lived interactions. The platform offers various filters and lenses that allow users to create fun and engaging content.
TikTok: TikTok is a platform where users create and consume short, entertaining videos on various topics, including dance, challenges, comedy, and lip-syncing. It’s known for its ability to make content go viral quickly, attracting a large audience in a short period of time.
Pinterest: Pinterest is mainly used to get inspirational ideas in areas such as style, cooking, and design. Some of the most popular Pins are those of style, home decorating ideas, quotes and so on.
Leveraging people’s social media usage for your business can be a powerful strategy to increase brand visibility, engage with your audience, and drive revenue. Here are some ways you can use social media for your business’s benefit:
- Create a strong presence: Establish profiles on relevant social media platforms where your target audience is active. This could be platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. Develop a consistent and appealing brand image across all platforms.
- Know your audience: Understand your target audience’s demographics, interests, and behaviours. This will help you tailor your content and engagement strategies to resonate with them effectively.
- Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, messages, and mentions promptly. Engaging with your audiences creates a connection between your customers and your brand, which helps build trust and increases recall.
- Promotions and exclusive offers: Use your social media platforms to announce special promotions, discounts, and exclusive offers for your followers. Due to the instant reach, you can reach thousands, if not millions, of users within minutes.
- Stay current: Keep up with the latest trends and features on social media platforms to ensure that your strategies remain relevant and effective.
It’s important to adapt your approach based on the feedback and results you receive so you can achieve the best possible outcomes for your business which can help you get to the next level.
Discovering how your audience uses social media is crucial for the success of your business for several important reasons:
- Know your audience: Understanding how your audience uses social media helps you create content that resonates with them. Different platforms are used for different purposes, and tailoring your content to match your audience’s preferences increases the likelihood of success.
- Optimised engagement: Knowing when your audience is most active on social media allows you to post at the right times, ensuring your content reaches them when they’re most likely to see it and engage with it.
- Effective advertising: If you’re planning to run social media ads, knowing your audience’s habits and preferences helps you target your ads more effectively.
- Trends: Social media behaviours evolve over time due to new platforms, features, and trends. Regularly assessing your audience’s social media usage allows you to adapt your strategies accordingly.
- Profitability (ROI): When you understand how your audience uses social media, you can allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that your time and budget are invested where they’ll yield the highest ROI.
Overall, it’s a crucial step in developing a successful and sustainable social media strategy for your business.
In summary, people use social media for a variety of reasons and depending on the platform, will dictate your use. At Embryo, we use different platforms depending on which platform your customers use. Please get in touch with our award-winning paid social team or email us today at [email protected].
