Social media platforms serve as modern society’s most effective method of delivering instant information to audiences of immense proportions. Companies utilize applications such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, in pursuance of influencing potential clientele and retaining customer loyalty. The key in generating substantial connections on social media outlets is identifying your target audience.
Each social media application contains a set demographics that differentiate, generating specific purposes and styles that set each apart. By understanding the appropriate usage of the most populated social media outlets and their specific purposes, locating your audience will be a simple process.
Facebook is easily the most populated social media website, with an estimated 70% of United States internet users having a Facebook account. It’s ability to be customized per user enables individuals to communicate unique versions of themselves to friends of their choosing. Based on information from 2013 and 2014 regarding Facebook’s demographic, the social media platform is not only aging in composition but also in retention of users as well. Audiences at the ages of 29 and up, as well as college graduates are more likely to be located on Facebook with active accounts than any other demographic. Additionally, around 93% of users befriend their own parents, children, and other relatives. Synthesized, Facebook fosters a community of mature educated adults interested in continuing substantial relationships.
With the advertised 65 million professional users on their sign in page, LinkedIn is quickly becoming the must-be place for business professionals. The tagline “Relationships Matter” truly gives a sense of the website’s mission. LinkedIn has honed in on the power of interpersonal relationships. By valuing people’s professional relations, the social media platform enables success in continually improving those connections while widening users’ professional networks and careers. Individuals fresh out of high school or college seeking a fresh start in resume building or connecting to employers tend to populate majority of the demographic. Focused on career building, LinkedIn has created a unique center of professionals seeking to market themselves to potential employers.
The power of visual images and videography at one’s fingertips launched Instagram into instant success. By empowering users with creativity via filters and editing, the application is utilized globally to connect individuals for business or leisure. About half of its entire population visits the app at least once every day, constituting this social media outlet as an international hotspot. Popular with consumer products via paid ads, Instagram is also associated with major companies such as General Electric. Additionally, Instagram has replaced its owner Facebook as the social media platform most popular for younger generations, specifically in the 18-29 age demographic as supported by data from 2013 and 2014. Instagram’s audience focuses on the notion of sharing: several companies disperse a trendy hashtag and prompting followers to share a certain image to reel in customers. The art of explaining your company or service through visual beauty is the art of Instagram. Instagram’s audience is composed of a photo-savvy younger generation interested in the aesthetics of everyday life as well as testing the latest products the market has to offer.
Twitter challengers its users in communicating relatable messages in 140 characters or less. Not only can its users “follow” friends or relatives with accounts but connect with major news distributors, companies, celebrities, and personalities as well. Even 44th President Barack Obama tweets from time to time. Twitter allows for the instant acceptance of synthesized messages from individuals who follow each other. Users can express their views on any topic trending or follow trending hashtags of major occurrences. This social media outlet is on the brink of constant evolution, granting the demographic flexibility. In conclusion, Twitter is utilized by individuals from all walks of life, from the everyday Joe to the President of the United States.
Don’t see a social media platform you use? Let us know in the comments below!
