Social media isn’t all bad
Image created using Dall-E 3
Good old social media – we all know it and we all practically live on it.
You would be pretty hard-pressed to find anybody over the age of a middle schooler who isn’t actively using at least one social media platform. A study from Statista shows that as of April 2024, Facebook has 3.06 billion monthly users, Instagram has 2 billion, and TikTok has 1.5 billion. These numbers are staggering, and they show how these platforms have taken over our lives.
The general narrative that you will hear when it comes to social media is pretty negative. You’ll hear about how all the negative effects it has on your mental health, or how detrimental it is to your productivity. All of these things are true, however, it’s not the full story.
Here’s the reality: social media is going nowhere. It has become essential, especially for businesses and other organizations.
For one thing, social media allows organizations to reach audiences in a way that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. As mentioned prior, billions of people are on these platforms. By effectively using social media, you can target a much larger group of people than what would have been possible otherwise.
Take for example the unconventional, yet effective strategy of Duolingo. This language learning app’s social media strategy talks very little about the actual service that they provide. It focuses on absurd and out-of-pocket content around the company’s mascot, appealing to a young, comedic audience.
Their content is focused on increasing brand awareness and loyalty, which makes sense considering how sharable their posts are. This strategy has engrained Duolingo into the minds of millions of people, many of which may have not used their product in the past. Now when people consider learning a new language, they will think of Duolingo.
“By not listening, you’re not leveraging potential opportunities for growth, damage control, or both.”
The other important reason a company may use social media is to engage with their target audiences and get a pulse on their feelings and pain points as they relate to their product. Dave Kerpen, author of Likeable Social Media says that “by not listening, you’re not leveraging potential opportunities for growth, damage control, or both.” This statement could not be more true.
Authenticity and a human-like approach to engaging with customers are a must for most consumers. By engaging with them on social platforms, they feel heard by the brand. This takes it from a corporate entity to something more approachable and trustworthy.
Social media also allows organizations to see what is being said about them and react fast. For instance, if a negative comment is published on one of their posts, they can respond quickly and respond to the situation positively.
Yes, there are a lot of negatives that come along with social media. However, when these platforms are embraced and used strategically, creative content will be seen more than it ever could before.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Hi! My name is Peyton McKenzie.
I am a professional graphic designer, photographer and content creator.
I encourage you to explore my portfolio to get a better idea of the work I create. If you are interested in working with me or have inquiries of any kind, don’t hesitate to reach out over email.
