The Top 5 Social Media Platforms in 2024
Social media is more than just a way to stay connected with friends — it’s a powerful tool for businesses looking to extend their reach and engage with a broader audience. But with so many platforms available, how do you know which ones are the best fit for your brand? Whether you’re a startup eager to make waves or an established business looking to expand your online presence, choosing the right social media platform can make all the difference in reaching your goals.
Each platform offers unique opportunities to connect with your target audience, promote your products or services, and build a loyal following. From the fast-paced world of TikTok to the professional networking power of LinkedIn, we’re breaking down the top 5 social media platforms that can take your brand to the next level. Ready to discover where your business can shine? Let’s dive in!
Where Aesthetics Meet Engagement
If your brand thrives on visuals, Instagram is your playground! With over a billion users, it’s perfect for fashion, food, lifestyle, and beyond. Plus, with features like Stories, Reels, and Shopping, the platform allows you to interact with your audience in fun, creative ways. But don’t just post pretty pictures—get interactive! Use polls, questions, and behind-the-scenes content to build a stronger relationship with your followers.
Pro Tip: Instagram loves reels! Reels generally achieve higher engagement because their algorithm promotes this content more than regular posts, making them a powerful tool to reach a larger audience.
Extra Pro Tip: To give your Reels a little extra boost, try using trending sounds and popular hashtags. These can help your content reach even more viewers and increase engagement.
Social Media brings us together
TikTok
Short, Sweet, & Totally Viral
If you’re not on TikTok yet, what are you waiting for? This platform is all about short, engaging video content. From dance challenges to DIY hacks, TikTok can turn anyone (or anything) into a viral sensation overnight. Brands are using TikTok to share authentic, entertaining content that resonates with younger audiences. And no, you don’t have to be a silly teenager to succeed here!
As regular TikTok doom scrollers, if a video doesn’t catch our attention in the first three seconds — we’re already onto the next one! Get to the point, and try adjusting the playback speed to get to the results — we want to see the final product!
Pro Tip: TikTok’s algorithm is quirky—often favoring users who post more frequently, giving their videos a better chance of reaching a larger audience.
Extra Pro Tip: Responding to viewer questions in video format can help you build a stronger, more personal connection while generating easy content ideas for the future.
The Neighborhood Hangout
Facebook may not be the newest kid on the block, but it’s still a powerhouse for businesses! With its robust ad platform and extensive user base, Facebook allows you to target specific demographics and promote your brand effectively. Plus, it’s great for fostering community with groups, events, and interactive posts like quizzes and surveys.
Pro Tip: Posts that invite comments and interaction tend to perform better than those that don’t. Ask your followers questions, too — encouraging responses in the comments keeps the conversation going and strengthens your post’s reach.
Extra Pro Tip: Make the most of Facebook’s “Saved Audiences” feature! You can create and save custom target audiences based on location, age, interests, and more – making it easier to target the right people in future ad campaigns.
Networking for the Professionals
If you’re in the B2B space, LinkedIn is where you want to be. It’s the go-to platform for professionals looking to network, share industry insights, and connect with potential clients or partners. The user base is made up of decision-makers and industry leaders, making it a fertile ground for building meaningful, long-term relationships. By posting meaningful, industry-specific content—i.e. articles, blogs, case studies, etc.—you can engage with your audience while positioning yourself as an authority in your field.
Pro Tip: When it comes to enhancing your content on LinkedIn, relevant rich media can significantly boost engagement and make your posts more compelling. This can include adding high-quality images, video content, infographics, audio clips, polls, and more.
Extra Pro Tip: Take advantage of LinkedIn’s “Publishing” option to share long-form articles right on your profile. It’s a great way to increase your visibility and build credibility as a thought leader, especially if your content gets highlighted in LinkedIn’s news feed!
YouTube
Video Content That Never Sleeps
Video is king, and YouTube reigns supreme! Whether you’re doing product demos, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes vlogs, YouTube combines the power of long-form video content with a highly engaged global audience. As the second largest search engine, videos on this platform can be discovered through search, recommendations, and social sharing. Videos continue driving traffic to your site for years after they’re posted, making it a great evergreen investment for continual growth.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is key here. Video titles, descriptions, and tags should be optimized with keywords to help your content get discovered. Sharing links to your videos across other social media platforms and embedding them in blog posts or newsletters can help to drive more traffic to your channel.
Pro Tip: Use eye-catching thumbnails for every video you post on YouTube. We usually won’t click—especially from channels we don’t follow regularly—unless the thumbnail and title really grab my attention.
Extra Pro Tip: Timestamps make YouTube videos more user-friendly. They let viewers jump straight to the parts they’re interested in without scrubbing through the whole video. It’s a small touch that keeps people engaged and coming back for more.
Choosing the right social media platform depends on where your audience hangs out and what kind of content you’re comfortable creating. While this isn’t a comprehensive list of options, these five social media platforms can provide a strong foundation to expand your brand’s reach, engage with your audience, and drive meaningful growth. Whether you’re aiming for viral content, community building, or professional networking, each of these platforms offers unique tools to help your business shine online.
Ready to get started? Let’s talk strategy! Our team of expert social media specialists know how to make your brand stand out on any platform and deliver consistent results. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation, and add fuel to your fire with Burning Stick Creative!
