Social Media Outsourcing: 7 Key Social Platforms to Boost Brand Awareness

67.1% of the population uses the Internet today - that’s over 5.44 billion Internet users globally. Of these, 5.07 billion people, or 62.6%, are active on social media. (Statista) What’s more, on average, people use 6.7 different social media platforms every month. (Data Reportal) Leveraging social media for small businesses is, therefore, vital to enhance visibility and engage with their audience. 

The challenge, however, is that no two social media marketing platforms are alike. Algorithms and user behavior differ from platform to platform, which is why experienced social media marketers utilize different platforms to reach specific target markets. Without this know-how, you’re basically taking a shot in the dark and hoping to hit a bullseye. 

Hiring external experts, or social media outsourcing, to manage social media activities on the right social media marketing platforms is, on the other hand, an efficient strategy for maximizing online presence. 

In this article, we'll explore seven top social media platforms essential for boosting brand awareness, including insights into their unique features and the benefits of social media outsourcing. By understanding each platform's strengths, businesses can utilize outsourced social media management efforts to achieve optimal engagement and reach.

But before we start scrolling through some of the best platforms, let’s look at some of the benefits of social media outsourcing and how utilizing social media can help expand your brand!

How Social Media Outsourcing Boosts Brand Awareness and Your Bottomline

Outsourced social media management leverages specialized expertise and experience, ensuring high-quality content and effective engagement strategies. It also provides cost-efficiency by eliminating the need for a full-time, in-house team, allowing businesses to allocate resources more effectively. 

Additionally, outsourced social media management enables companies to focus on core activities, enhancing overall productivity. However, challenges such as maintaining brand voice consistency and ensuring seamless communication can arise. 

Overcoming these obstacles requires clear goal setting, regular updates, and choosing an outsourcing partner who understands your brand’s values and objectives. By addressing these challenges, you can effectively elevate your business's online presence and drive growth through social media outsourcing.

7 Key Social Platforms To Boost Brand Awareness

Leveraging relevant social media marketing platforms for your industry can significantly boost brand awareness. Each platform offers unique features and reaches distinct demographics, making them powerful tools for targeted marketing. But which platform is right for you? Here are seven of the top social media platforms for business in 2024.

1. Facebook

Facebook, now operating under Meta Platform Inc., remains one of the most powerful platforms for brand awareness, with its consumer base spanning approximately 3 billion monthly active users. (Statista) Its diverse demographic, ranging from teenagers to adults, makes it ideal for businesses targeting a broad audience. 

Effective strategies on Facebook include: 

• Utilizing Facebook Ads, 

• Engaging with followers through regular posts, and 

• Creating interactive content such as polls and live videos. 

Facebook's wide reach makes it ideal for almost any industry. It’s essential, however, to consider your ideal target audience when looking at ad spend. For example, 69% of U.S. millennials use Facebook over any other social media platform, whereas just 37% of Gen Zers are active Facebook users. (Pew Research) 

A notable example is Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign, which personalized user engagement and saw massive global participation. The brand sold over 250 million bottles and cans of soda in Australia that summer. To date, the campaign has expanded to over 70 countries worldwide.

2. Instagram

Instagram, another social platform deriving from the Metaverse, thrives on visual content, making it a perfect platform for brands looking to showcase their products aesthetically. With over 2 billion active users, Instagram offers various tools like Stories and Reels that businesses can leverage to keep audiences engaged through compelling narratives and promote products. Statistics show that almost a third of Instagram users are between 18 and 24, making it the ideal platform to reach a younger demographic. (Statista)

Influencer collaborations and user-generated content also play crucial roles in expanding reach and credibility. For instance, Nike’s use of athlete influencers and customer stories has significantly amplified its brand presence on Instagram. Its latest post of professional Brazilian footballer, Vinicius Junior earning his second European trophy obtained more than 546K likes in under 24 hours!

3. X(Previously Twitter)

X, a customer service channel previously known as Twitter before its rebranding, dominates when it comes to real-time engagement. With over 335 million active users, 42% of which are Gen Zers, it’s an excellent platform for brands to join conversations, address customer inquiries, and leverage trending topics through hashtags. 

For example, hashtag campaigns have significantly garnered attention and engagement. The ASL #Ice Bucket Challenge resulted in $11.4 million in donations in 2014, with over 2.2 million mentions on the platform. Calvin Klein, a designer clothing brand, expanded its reach by 13 million, reaching 469 million users globally through its #MyKelvins campaign.

4. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the go-to platform for business-to-business or B2B marketing and professional networking, boasting over 770 million users worldwide. Its users are predominantly between the ages of 30 and 49, making it practical for sharing industry insights, company updates, and thought leadership content. LinkedIn Ads and Sponsored Content allow businesses to target professionals with precision. Content types that perform well include case studies, whitepapers, and expert articles. 

Adobe positions itself as a leading software provider by effectively sharing industry trends and company news through Sponsored LinkedIn campaigns. Meanwhile, Hubspot experienced a 60% click-through rate (CTR) through LinkedIn text ads.

5. YouTube

YouTube, with over 2.4 billion logged-in monthly users, is unmatched in its ability to deliver powerful video content. In 2023, it was ranked the second-most used social media platform, after Facebook, with more than half of YouTube users being Gen Zers or Millenials. (Backlinko) 

Videos that educate, entertain, or inspire tend to engage audiences the most and typically obtain the most subscribers. Most YouTubers use their mobile phones to visit the social platform, meaning mobile optimization is an absolute must. 

Other ways brands can optimize their channels include

• Using keywords in titles and descriptions, 

• Creating compelling thumbnails, and 

• Maintaining a consistent posting schedule. 

A prime example is Red Bull’s YouTube strategy, which features high-adrenaline sports and adventure content. This aligns perfectly with its brand image, attracting millions of viewers.

6. Pinterest

Pinterest is particularly effective for brands in niches like DIY, fashion, and food, with over 498 million active users. It’s a platform where visually appealing pins and boards can drive significant traffic to websites and sales, with 85% of pinners making purchases based on pins. 

What’s more, the platform boasts a two times higher return on ad spend (ROAS) for retail brands than any other social media platform. Using Pinterest Analytics, brands can refine their strategies based on what resonates with their audience. Remember that most users are between the ages of 18 and 49, most of whom are women aged 25-34. (Statista) 

Brands like IKEA use custom quiz experiences that align with their products and services. Scotch Tape’s creator-driven campaign saw a 64% lower cost per impression than initially estimated, driving both engagement and sales.

7. TikTok

TikTok’s meteoric rise has made it a vital platform for engaging younger audiences with short-form video content. With over 1.7 billion active users, brands can create viral content through challenges and trends. Moreover, collaborations with TikTok influencers can amplify reach and engagement. 

Netflix's #WhatsYourPower campaign is arguably one of the largest UGC TikTok campaigns, with approximately 112,00 users utilizing the filter. The Dunkin Donuts and Charli D'amelio campaign drove a 57% increase in the Dunkin' app download and a 20% increase in sales. 

Another excellent example is Marc Jacobs' "Perfect as I am" campaign, which has generated more than 10 billion views to date, significantly boosting the brand's visibility among younger demographics.

Wrapping Up

Each of these platforms offers distinct advantages and requires tailored strategies to maximize brand awareness. By understanding and leveraging the unique features and audience demographics of each platform, businesses can effectively enhance their online presence and engage with their target audiences in meaningful ways.

Outsourcing your social media management can significantly enhance brand awareness. Like what you see? So should your followers. Colab with the social media outsourcing experts at blackbear to ensure effective, consistent, and impactful social media strategies to drive business growth and maximize your brand's visibility.