Social Media Apps are nothing new. In fact, they have been around for longer than you may think. In 1997 there was a platform called Six Degrees that allowed you to make a profile and then make friends. That was over 20 years ago my friends. Social Media has seen some changes as the years have gone by. Myspace was a huge hit, but is now a thing of the past. Platforms like Friendster, Google Plus, and Vine were all apps that had a moment in the sun but then faded to the background.
So what makes a great app? Why do some platforms succeed where others failed? Is it marketing? Is it first to the table gets the biggest helping? Is it innovative technology? Or is it simply luck? Well, it’s a bit of everything. Timing, demand, marketing, and innovation all play a huge role in the success of an app.
Do Your Due Diligence
In this time of social and technical prowess it’s almost impossible to run a business without somehow incorporating some kind of social channel. The important thing is to put your best foot forward on a platform that makes the most sense for your company.
The dominant platforms today all have different features that they focus on in order to gain a market. Facebook is all about being social. Posting status updates, posting pictures, and in return letting them know about you as well with profile information. Twitter is similar but is more focused on posting your opinion or thoughts. Pinterest is completely different in that it incorporates interests and hobbies by collecting images, products, and ideas to be used in crafts, home design, and a number of things. It however, does not focus on the social part as much.
That’s not it. There are others as well. Instagram focuses on sharing your experiences through photos. Most users upload high quality or interesting photos to gain followers. Photographers and models get a lot of mileage out of this app. Then there is a profile driven platform called LinkedIN which focuses on your career accomplishments, networking, and job opportunities.
The important thing for your business to do is focus on what you want to accomplish and move forward with platforms that will benefit you the most. If you are looking to share complex instructions on your products, maybe a service like youtube is your best bet. If you like to give constant updates then perhaps Twitter or Facebook may be your best bet.
The Best Of The Up And Coming
It’s also important to stay ahead of the curve. That means not only knowing what steps to take for your business as a whole but how to reach your customers. Here are some of the best new apps to look into for your business.
TikTok – This is a new media app where you can share music videos. It sounds silly and to an extent it is but it has a lot of potential. Video is a big part of social media marketing right now. Think of the marketing advantages for a new business. You can connect with a younger audience. You can relay information in a relatable way and you can have fun doing it.
The app has a simple interface and is easy to use. It has been growing in popularity and the best part is that it integrates easily with other social media apps like Facebook.
Telegram – This is a new app that is finding its popularity because of an ever-increasing concern. Security. This app allows you to share information with your subscribers using chatbots or by broadcasting to a large number of users. The messages are all encrypted and even have self-destruct options so that the messages can not be shared or saved. In a world where security is a huge issue this app is a big win.
WhatsApp – I am including this one, not because it’s new, because it isn’t. I’m including it because of the new integrated features that make this more business friendly. Originally it was used to primarily communicate with family and friends but a new business update has changed all of that. You can now use it to communicate with clients and even use it for customer support.
There is no one app that is made for everyone. The best decision for your company may be to use a multi-layered approach incorporating multiple platforms. You can use Facebook or Twitter for relaying information, TikTok or Youtube to present videos, and countless combinations. You may even want to use them all. If you are having a hard time deciding then be sure to contact T22 Media for help with your social media needs.