The Million-dollar question when looking at social media is what platform should I be using? At this time with so many out there it can seem overwhelming to even know where to start.

Thinking about where to start should take you back to your core goals, where you want to go and the audience you want to be in front of. Look into each social media channel to determine which will suite you best. Don’t just sign up for every platform because it is the newest or the most popular. Your objective should be to work towards generating quality content that’s relevant to your audience on one or two social media channels that your audiences prefers.

Once you set up your social media platform, make sure to work out a clear plan. This will save you time and be less intrusive for your business. Remember social media may be free, but the value of your time can cost just as much.

To get started, here is a list of 3 popular and effective social media platforms:

Facebook:

Facebook is by far the biggest social media platform with 1.23 billion monthly active users and 945 million mobile users. Facebook can be used as home for your business where people can stay in touch with you on a personal level. You can build your brand loyalty and reputation. People can gain knowledge and get exposure to the work you do and the solutions you provide. You can also create ads that drive traffic to your website through detail targeting that reaches the audience you want. Staying consistent on a daily basis with promotions, personal stories, testimonials and content that is interesting and engaging will make your future customers feel welcome.

Twitter:

Twitter is a platform with 310 million monthly active users. The difference here is, twitter is not a place where you just keep people updated. It is a place you go to communicate and listen where you can share quick news or updates and promote new products or content. The hashtag feature on Twitter, that is very popular, allows you to stay connected to content you want to see or find the latest trends. Many people look to Twitter for quick info, news and fast responses to questions. So it gives you a chance to show off your customer service.

LinkedIn:

LinkedIn is largest social media platform for business people and professionals. Still, many small business owners have not yet realized the power of this platform. Approaching this social media platform, keep in mind that it is more serious than Facebook and Twitter; users will want professional and informative information. What really makes LinkedIn special is the “LinkedIn groups,” it is a place professionals in the same industry or with similar interests start and participate in discussions within the group. You can find answers, share content, view and post jobs, make business connections and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. The exposure is significant, some groups having hundreds to thousands of members.

Remember, trying to spread yourself to wide, in too many social media platforms can affect your productivity. Know what platform you want to focus on and become an expert within it to see true results.