Social networks are becoming more and more popular. More than 80% of the 4.66 billion people on the planet with access to the internet are social network users… and this share is expected to grow! A few years ago, we were happy to get likes from friends and relatives; today, we share tips and skills, promote services, buy goods, etc.

Many well-known companies, from food manufacturers to large automotive companies, already actively communicate with customers through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other platforms. Some brands have even ditched their websites and completely switched to social networks.

Some of the big names in social media currently are: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, YouTube, and TikTok. Each of these presents an innumerable number of ways to present the business and promote the product. Each platform also has a specific way in which the content is tailored to the consumer, and that is where the business chooses which is right for it. It is critical that the business understands each platform so as they do not waste time and money advertising on a platform that does not make sense for them.

For example, say, a wood supplier is looking into what form of social media marketing to delve into. Since they have a very specific target demographic, it would not make sense for them to run general story ads on Instagram or Snapchat. However, it would make sense to run ads for a YouTube video for a DIY project. Partnering with an influencer who works with a lot of wood in their projects would also work. This example illustrates the importance of understanding your field and marketing the business properly within it.

The last core point, when it comes to the future of social media marketing is how important it will soon become to have a good reputation on the internet. With the advent of the internet news travels faster than ever. So, while there may have been a time where “any advertising is good advertising” may have rung true that is not the case anymore. All it takes to ruin a brand image is one tweet, Facebook post, Reddit thread, or YouTube video denouncing a product or service to tank a brand. To make sure the business is favorable in the public eye it is crucial that the business has mostly positive reviews, listens to complaints or comments on posts, creates fresh content, is up to date on current trends, and focuses on customer relations. Following these rules should set up most businesses for success in the future of social media marketing.