Changing market dynamics and technological advancements have forced businesses to find new ways of engaging with their customers, partners, and suppliers. Businesses are no longer limited to traditional marketing channels such as print ads, direct mailers, radio spots and local billboards. In this digital age, marketers have access to a variety of social media channels that can be used for branding purposes, product promotion or lead generation. The power of social media cannot be understated.

According to social media analytics company Zoomph, there are approximately 2 billion users on the top social networking sites in the world (i.e Facebook and Instagram). These numbers prove that small businesses and non-profit organizations should leverage the power of social media channels to reach new audiences.

Facebook

The first channel we’ll look at is Facebook. This channel is well-known for its native ads, which are available for users on desktop or mobile. The ads are highly targeted and can be further customized based on a user’s profile, interests or location. Facebook’s advertising platform is one of the most robust in the industry, which is why businesses need to use this channel to reach new audiences. It’s also important to note that Facebook has 2 billion monthly active users. This is an enormous audience that businesses can leverage to promote their brands or sell their products. Here are some ways you can use Facebook to reach new audiences:

• Sponsored posts - Sponsored posts are great for reaching specific demographics such as mothers, homeowners, or Millennials. Sponsored posts on Facebook have high click-through rates, as they appear in users’ newsfeeds.
• Facebook search engine optimization - Did you know you can optimize your Facebook page to show up in Google search results? By optimizing your Facebook page, you can drive new visitors to your page and increase your page’s authority. This will help your page rank higher in Google search results, which will increase your brand’s visibility.
• Facebook Live - Live videos are one of the best ways to attract new audiences. Facebook Live allows users to broadcast live videos to their followers. This feature is especially useful for businesses that want to establish an authentic and genuine brand image. These are just a few ways you can use Facebook to reach new audiences.

Instagram

With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram is a social media channel that businesses can’t ignore. The platform allows users to share photos or 15-second videos. While it’s important to note that the images are displayed in a square shape, unlike other social media channels, businesses have a lot of flexibility when it comes to designing images. For example, they can add text, use filters, or include links in the image’s caption to drive more traffic to their website. Here are some ways you can use Instagram to reach new audiences:

• Create a contest - Contests are a fun and effective way to engage your audience and drive more users to your page. You can use a contest to engage your followers on Instagram by asking them to like or comment on your posts. By liking or commenting on your posts, users will be automatically entered into a contest where they can win a prize.
• Hosting a weekly Instagram Live - Live videos are a great way to attract new audiences and foster engagement with your followers. This is because viewers feel as though they’re part of a real-life situation. Hosting a weekly Instagram Live where you interact with your followers can build a personal connection with your followers. This will help you build a strong brand identity and increase your follower engagement.

Twitter

With 330 million monthly active users, Twitter is another powerful social media channel that businesses can’t ignore. Businesses should use this channel to drive more traffic to their websites and promote new products or services. They should also use this channel to engage with customers, partners and suppliers. Twitter is an excellent channel for lead generation, and it can help businesses connect with new audiences quickly and easily. Here are some ways businesses can use Twitter to reach new audiences:

• Tweeting relevant and timely content - You can use Twitter to your advantage by tweeting content that’s timely and relevant to your industry. You should tweet content that’s educational, engaging, or thought-provoking. This will help you attract new audiences to your page and drive more traffic to your website.
• Tweeting native ads - If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to create engaging content, you can use Twitter’s native ads to quickly reach new audiences and drive more traffic to your website. Native ads are sponsored posts that appear in the feed of users who are not following your brand. This is an excellent way to promote your website and drive more traffic to your page.

YouTube

The third channel we’ll look at is YouTube. This video-sharing platform has over 1 billion monthly active users, making it a highly efficient social media channel for businesses to use. YouTube is also one of the most cost-effective ways for businesses to reach new audiences. In fact, it costs only $1 per day to promote a video on YouTube. Here are some ways businesses can use YouTube to reach new audiences:

• Driving traffic to your website - One of the best ways to use YouTube for your business is to create compelling brand videos. These brand videos can be product reviews, tutorials, or how-to videos. You can use these videos to build your brand’s credibility and educate your target audience. You can also use them to drive more traffic to your website.
• Hosting a YouTube Live - YouTube Live allows users to host real-time video streams where they can engage with their followers and answer any questions they may have. This is an excellent way to build a genuine brand image and foster engagement with your followers.

LinkedIn

The final channel we’ll look at is LinkedIn. This channel is very different from the others, as it’s geared towards individuals rather than businesses. The platform is mainly used for B2B marketing purposes. You can use this channel to connect with new leads and potential customers. Here are some ways businesses can use LinkedIn to reach new audiences:

• Posting content - One of the best ways to reach new audiences on LinkedIn is by posting content that’s relevant to your industry. You can also use LinkedIn to host discussions with industry experts or write engaging blog posts that are related to your brand or field of expertise.
• Connecting with influencers - Another way to reach new audiences on LinkedIn is by connecting with industry influencers. You can use LinkedIn’s search feature to find individuals who have a large number of connections and are influential in your industry. Once you’ve identified these influencers, you can send them a connection request and start building a professional relationship with them.

Summing up

Social media channels are excellent for small businesses and non-profit organizations to reach new audiences. You must choose the right platform for your business and create an engaging content strategy. These channels can help you build a brand image, drive more traffic to your website, and engage with new audiences.