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You presumably already use all of the major social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and media sharing sites (Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat), as well as a few more like Pinterest and Google Plus, if you’re a social media pro. However, social media is much more than the leading social networking and media sharing networks. If you look past those social media behemoths, you’ll notice that people use a variety of social media platforms to connect online for a variety of purposes. We have discovered many hyper-focused niche social networks for everything from jet setting and green living to knitting and all things macho in our drive to bring you the latest and best social media news from all corners of the internet. Grouping social networks by topic, on the other hand, can rapidly become overwhelming — and even distracting. (Plus, it’s already been done for us by Wikipedia.)
And, while there was a time when you could simply classify networks based on their functional capabilities (e.g., Twitter for brief text material, YouTube for video, etc. ), that time has passed. As more networks add complex capabilities like live-streaming and augmented reality, the distinctions between their feature set blur and alter quicker than most individuals can keep up with the changes. Rather than categorising networks based on hyper-specific user interests or altering technological features, we choose to think like marketers and divide them into ten broad categories based on what individuals want to achieve by using them.
Social Media Sites
For example, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are social media sites. People use these networks for a variety of reasons such as, for making internet connections with individuals (and brands). How they can help your company: Let’s see how many ways there are. The list goes on and on: market research, brand recognition, lead creation, connection building, customer service, and so on. People and organisations use social networks, also known as “relationship networks,” to interact online and share information and ideas. While these networks aren’t the first form of social media, they have come to define it. These channels began as rather primary offerings.
These networks have evolved into centres that turn practically every element of contemporary life into a social experience—from reading the news to sharing vacation photos to seeking a new job—especially since the development of the mobile internet. If you’re not yet using these core networks as part of your social media marketing strategy—or if you’re searching for ways to improve your current strategy—our guides to Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn will provide you with a wealth of helpful information.
Networks for Exchanging Media
Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube are just a few examples. People use these networks to search and share images, videos, live videos, and other material forms over the internet. How they can help your company: These sites, like the extensive relationship networks, are crucial for brand visibility, lead generation, audience engagement, and other social marketing objectives. People and brands use media sharing networks to find and share media online, such as images, videos, and live videos. As social connection networks like Facebook and Twitter add live video, augmented reality, and other multimedia capabilities to their platforms, the distinctions between media sharing networks and social networks are blurring. Media sharing networks, on the other hand, are distinguished by the fact that media sharing is their defining and primary aim.
While most posts on dating sites are text-based, posts on social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat begin with an image or video, and users can add content like captions, mentions of other users, or bunny-like filters to them.
Discussion Forums
For example, Reddit, Quora, and Digg are discussion forums. People use these networks for a variety of reasons — to discover, discuss, and share news, information, and viewpoints. How they can help your company: These networks might be helpful for conducting market research. You can advertise on them if done correctly, but you’ll have to be careful to keep your advertisements and postings distinct.
One of the earliest forms of social media is discussion forums. We talked about pop culture, current events and asked for advice in forums before connecting with our first university buddies on Facebook. Take a look at the large user numbers and broad reach of forums like Reddit, Quora, and Digg to realise how insatiable the public’s demand for collective knowledge and wisdom is.
Conclusion
Social media is available in a variety of flavours. In one way or another, you can use most of these sorts to improve your business. Get clear on what you want to accomplish, think imaginatively, and, above all, keep it human.