The most popular social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
The most popular site is Facebook. About 71 percent of adult Internet users and 58 percent of the entire population in the U.S. are members of Facebook. The site attracts about 56 percent of Internet users who are 65 years or older. Women are more inclined to use the site compared to men. A survey of users found that they use the site to stay in contact with friends.
• 91 percent of users are in contact with current friends
• 87 percent are in contact with friends from the past, such as high school or college classmates
• 58 percent claim they are tied to work colleagues
• 39 percent say they are connected to people they have never met in person
• 36 percent say they are Facebook friends with their neighbors.
The second most used social networking site is Twitter. About 23 percent of adult Internet users and 19 percent of the entire adult population use the site. It is popular among people who are under 50 years old and college educated. There has been a significant increase in use among men, whites, households with an annual income of $50,000 or more, college graduates, and urbanites.
Next is Instagram. This site attracts 26 percent of adult Internet users and 21 percent of the entire adult population. About 53 percent of young adults who are between 18 and 29 years old use the service; women are particularly likely to use it as well as Hispanics, African-Americans and urban and suburban dwellers.
The fourth most popular social networking site is Pinterest. It appeals to 28 percent of Internet users and 22 percent of the entire population. Of the total number of people who use the site 42 percent are women who use the Internet; it is also popular among younger users.
The fifth most popular social networking site is LinkedIn. This site attracts about 28 percent of adults who use the Internet and 23 percent of the entire population. The majority of users is between the ages of 30 and 64, are college graduates and are people who belong to higher-income households.
Create a Profile
Once you have decided on the social networks you wish to use you will be required to create a profile for each. The profile is the anchor of your participation on the site. It should provide information you want people to know about you or your business. Include and professional photo and industry keywords in the text so that it is search engine friendly. Refresh the profile regularly to entice people to visit it.
Keep Involved
Create and follow a marketing strategy and include what your goals and tactics are. Participate in discussions and forums to enhance your presence. Ask and answer questions. Develop a network of people who are involved in the same industry and/or field of interest you are. Add social media links to the homepage of your or your business’ site and include a link back to your website on your social networking page. This will help members connect with you and assist in taking advantage of SEO tools. Follow your target audience. It allows you to engage with them quickly and easily and helps you determine behaviors and interests so you can tailor your content to meet their needs. Share content with your audience on a regular basis. Constant sharing will keep your audience engaged with you. Finally, monitor and analyze your efforts. That will help you determine what is working and what is not and allow you to enhance your plan to meet goals.
