Best Social Media Platforms for Marketing

Social media seems to be everywhere nowadays. Whether it’s used for personal or professional purposes, there’s no denying the influence that social media has on society. Social media is so influential that many companies now use various social media platforms to market to and interact with consumers. There are many different social media platforms, each with its own unique uses and advantages. This guide to some of the best social media platforms for marketing will help you sift through the sites to find the platforms that work best for your business’s marketing strategy.

Instagram

A picture is worth a thousand words, so it stands to reason that Instagram is one of the best social media platforms for marketing. Instagram is a popular choice for marketing to consumers of all ages and backgrounds, thanks to the fact that people of all different demographics use Instagram. Companies commonly use Instagram to share photos and videos of up-and-coming products or to provide insider information regarding a current promotion.
The uptick in social media influencers has also helped make Instagram a popular platform for marketing. Partnering with popular social media influencers and encouraging them to post photos using the company’s products helps widen the audience base for that company. Consumers are heavily influenced by celebrities, and seeing an influencer use a certain product increases the likelihood that the consumers themselves will also purchase that product.

Snapchat

What once began as a fun way to share photos back and forth with friends is now a highly profitable platform for social media marketing. Snapchat allows companies to contact consumers in a quick and fun way. Photo filters and public stories provide consumers a fun way to interact with the company while also allowing them to get in on the action themselves.
Companies will also frequently post Snapchat stories that provide a behind-the-scenes look at upcoming product launches or promotional events. Snapchat is especially effective when used in tandem with event marketing. Companies leverage Snapchat for their marketing events through unique geofilters, fun photo walls, and pre-event promotional posts.

Facebook

Certain social media platforms are more effective at marketing to consumers within a specific demographic than others. Facebook is one such platform. Though it was originally devised as a means for young adults and college students to interact with each other, Facebook is now more commonly used by older adults and individuals within the baby boomer generation. However, it’s still highly effective at marketing to consumers within this specific demographic.
This type of consumer generally prefers one-on-one conversation with company representatives and places a high importance on quality customer service. These elements are easily achievable through Facebook, as it allows companies and consumers to speak directly to one another through comments or private messaging. Facebook also lends itself to slightly longer posts than some other social media platforms, allowing a company to provide detailed information to its customers, yet another factor that older consumers value.

Is Having a Smart Home Worth it?

Smart devices and appliances continue to flood into the marketplace as fast as manufacturers can make them. Every day, the latest and greatest widget hits the market, tantalizing consumers with their ease of use, connectivity, and sophistication. Converting your home into a smart home might seem like the right thing to do. There are some things to consider, though, before making that decision—both good and bad. Before making the investment of time and money in the conversion, ask yourself: is having a smart home worth it?

Pros

There are Buckets of Convenience

Adding smart lighting, plugs, and thermostats to your home ups the convenience level in your home exponentially. We can all get up off the couch and turn on the lights, but now you’ve given yourself another option; not getting up and doing it from your smart device. Have you ever tried to explain to someone how to turn on your TV and cable box? It’s like entering a combination to a safe. Now, you only have to tell them, “say ‘Alexa, turn on the TV.’” Done.

Problem Solving Abounds

Smart homes help you solve daily problems and annoyances. Anyone with kids knows the frustration of speaking to someone in another room. Ask a kid to go get their brother and they will move two feet from you and yell for them. Thanks for the help. Voice assistants eliminate this problem. For people with handicaps, smart sensors on lights illuminate rooms as they enter—and for anyone else, for that matter.

Cons

There are Safety Concerns

With all this technology and connectivity, though, comes concerns that are specific to home networks. First and foremost is the network’s security. There are people in the world that are up to no good and would love nothing more than to corrupt your smart home to steal information and resources from you. The more devices in your home that are connected to the internet, the more vulnerable you are. You must take precautions to protect your smart home from hackers.

Devices Can Stop Working

A smart device or appliance might be super cool and advanced, but it’s a machine, and machines break down. The more technology that a machine has, the more chances there are for something in it to break. When it breaks, the more sophisticated it is, the less likely you can fix it yourself. That means either calling in a professional, replacing it altogether, or both. Keep in mind that just because something is first to the market, doesn’t mean it’s the best.

5 Awesome Benefits of Wireless Earbuds

5 Awesome Benefits of Wireless Earbuds

There are so many cool gadgets on the market nowadays that are worth getting. As of late, wireless earbuds have been incredibly popular for smartphone users. Here are some of the great benefits of wireless earbuds and why you should consider ditching wired ones.

Surprising Industries that Benefit from Virtual Reality

While virtual reality was first prominently used in the gaming industry, its use has translated into various other fields that may surprise you. Virtual reality might still be relatively new, but many industries are utilizing the technology. Learn all about some industries that benefit from virtual reality.