Business – The Flocksy Blog

Data-Driven Success: Using Insights to Monitor, Measure and Grow

In the final session of our Creativity Meets eCommerce Strategy: webinar series, Finch & Flocksy explored the transformative power of data in driving eCommerce growth.

In this session focused on how businesses can leverage insights to make informed decisions, optimize strategies, and foster continuous improvement, speakers included David Gray, Finch head of product; Justin Jefferson, Keen Head of Strategy and Insights; and Sam Ryan, Flocksy CEO.

The experience wrapped up on a high note, firmly positioning Finch and Flocksy as trailblazing thought leaders in the ever-evolving world of eCommerce.

Moderator Mike Mardis led the group through an insightful discussion of how each executive’s company uses data to get customers and keep them coming back.

Ryan said Flocksy measures its success with a broad scope of metrics, including how the platform is doing in terms of bringing people to the website, convincing them to attend a demo, signing up, whether they stay or leave, and how it does in trying to win back customers.

“It’s all about building a relationship with that client, and it starts with the creative,” he said. “A piece of creative might be really high-performing, but you’ve got to be able to back it up.”

Gray and Jefferson discussed the complex calculations eCommerce businesses have to juggle, including manufacturing costs and marketing mix modeling, or MMM.

“The goal is to understand the performance of your marketing relative to all the other business dynamics at play,” Jefferson said. “When you’re building a marketing mix model, not only do you want your sales data, your revenue data, but we’re also looking at your marketing activities. Your spend, your cost, your clicks – and then we’re looking at the external factors.”

Those are factors like seasonality, competition, distribution, and catalog size. By only analyzing marketing data, businesses limit the insight and understanding they can achieve, he said.

MMM used to be less accessible because of its complexity, Gray said, but AI’s ability to analyze large amounts of data quickly makes it much more attainable for businesses and brands.

Did you miss a session or want to revisit? Check out the recordings here. (They’ll be available any time you need them!)

Key Takeaways:

Key Metrics: Attendees learned how to identify and track the most important metrics that influence eCommerce success. Understanding these key performance indicators (KPIs) helps businesses stay focused on what matters most.

Data-Driven Decisions: The session provided techniques for using data to inform strategic decisions, enabling companies to respond more effectively to customer needs and market trends. Data-driven decisions lead to better targeting, improved customer experiences, and enhanced growth opportunities.

Continuous Improvement: We discussed the importance of making small, consistent improvements based on data insights. These incremental changes can accumulate over time, resulting in significant growth and long-term success.

With data as a foundation, businesses can create a more adaptive and effective approach to their eCommerce strategies.

Series Recap:

Our webinar series has been a great success at sharing our insights throughout the eCommerce sphere!

Throughout this webinar series, Finch & Flocksy have shared key strategies to help businesses create unforgettable and profitable customer experiences:

Session 1: The Collaborative Journey emphasized the power of cross-functional teamwork in creating a seamless customer journey.

Session 2: Creating Lasting Impressions explored how compelling visuals and engaging content can enhance customer interactions and foster loyalty.

Session 3: Foundations of Success highlighted essential tactics for optimizing paid media, improving search visibility, and increasing conversion rates.

Session 4: Growth Strategies focused on blending paid, organic, and loyalty marketing efforts to create a well-rounded growth formula.

In this final session, we tie it all together by focusing on the importance of data in guiding ongoing growth efforts. Thank you for joining us on this journey!

Did you attend the webinars? Let us know what you thought! Visit the Finch LinkedIn page to share your thoughts.

Growth Strategies: Blending Paid, Organic, and Loyalty for a Winning Formula

In the penultimate session of our Creativity Meets eCommerce Strategy: How To Keep and Win High-Value Customers webinar series, Finch & Flocksy explored a winning formula for eCommerce growth by blending paid, organic, and loyalty efforts.

Four big-league eCommerce leaders lent their expertise to this webinar.

DJ Sprague, Shopper Approved CMO, is a keynote speaker, author, & podcaster who expertly implements online reputation management, marketing strategies, and behavioral science principles.
Nikita Vakhrushev, ASPEKT CEO, has a unique perspective on how to get the most out of a brand’s retention channels after nearly a decade in digital marketing.
Chirag Lathiya, CEO of Feedspace.io, leads engineering & marketing initiatives with user-centric design.
George Ryan, Flocksy CMO, excels in crafting compelling marketing strategies that resonate with audiences and drive business growth.

This session focused on creating a holistic marketing approach that drives sustainable success in an increasingly competitive landscape.

“In an ever-evolving market, the ability to integrate different marketing strategies such as paid advertising, organic growth, and customer loyalty can make a difference in achieving sustainable success,” said moderator Sarah Fitzgerald.

Everybody goes to Google to find the solutions to their problems, Sprague said.

“Ultimately what is going to drive customers to your website is organic search or paid search results,” Sprague said. “And we know statistically it’s going to be those top five search results. We know, also, that the top five organic search results get more than the top paid results.”

Social proof is a powerful tool to help your brand gain authenticity, in addition to SEO and paid search efforts, he said.

Reputation management is really important, and a huge part of that is ensuring people love the product that you provide, so your reviews are great, Ryan said.

He is a fan of using SEO for organic search results as well. He suggested finding the terms and keywords people use to find your business and work those into your web pages and other assets.

“It is a long-term play,” he said. “I encourage anyone who hasn’t done that to get started on it, because it can take a while to ramp up.”

Key Takeaways:

Seamless Integration: Attendees learned how to integrate paid media, organic content, and loyalty programs into a cohesive strategy that amplifies reach and builds lasting customer relationships. We discussed best practices for balancing these efforts to create a powerful and sustainable growth engine.

New Trends & Opportunities: We also uncovered emerging trends and opportunities within the evolving eCommerce landscape, equipping businesses with the tools to stay ahead of the curve and capitalize on new growth avenues.

Customer Relationship Nurturing: A major focus was on actionable strategies for nurturing customer relationships, driving repeat business, and maximizing the lifetime value of each customer.

With a well-rounded approach, businesses can achieve consistent growth while building stronger connections with their customer base.

Series Recap:

Throughout this webinar series, Finch & Flocksy have covered essential strategies for eCommerce success:

Session 1: The Collaborative Journey highlighted the importance of teamwork in creating a seamless customer journey.
Session 2: Creating Lasting Impressions focused on how compelling visuals and engaging content can enhance every customer interaction.
Session 3: Foundations of Success provided actionable insights into optimizing paid media, search visibility, and conversion rates to create a winning buying experience.

About Finch and Flocksy:

Finch specializes in crafting killer marketing strategies that remove friction from the customer journey, using the right people, the right process, and the right technology.

Since 2016, Flocksy has been the most affordable unlimited marketing materials platform, helping brands create high-quality, on-brand content that captivates audiences and drives real results.

Together, we empower businesses and agencies to achieve growth by blending expertise, creativity, and seamless collaboration.

Foundations of success: Core elements of a winning buying experience

In the third session of our Creativity Meets eCommerce Strategy: How To Keep and Win High-Value Customers webinar series, Lee Roquet, Finch CEO, told a powerful anecdote about the tale of two brands.

He was looking at Instagram and saw an ad for shirts. He liked the sharp shirt in the picture, so he clicked on the ad. The link in the ad didn’t take him to the pictured shirt, and a search of the mobile site left him frustrated. He clicked away.

Another brand advertising shirts on Instagram provided a different buying experience. Upon clicking the link, Roquet was able to easily find items he liked, in his size. He bought two shirts in four minutes, and when the shirts arrived at his home, they were packed with care and a thank you note was included.

“It’s the simple things,” he concluded. “Make sure the buying experience you’re providing is the one you want.”

During the third webinar, Finch & Flocksy took a deep dive into the foundational elements that create a winning eCommerce buying experience. They shared what has become a repeating theme throughout this series: every touchpoint of the customer journey is crucial, and businesses must take time to analyze each aspect carefully for the best results.

From optimizing paid media to enhancing search visibility and increasing conversion rates, this session was packed with actionable insights to help businesses from Erin VerDorn, Fireside Head of Strategy, Brooke Baker, Flocksy Project Manager, and Roquet. This session was again moderated by Mike Mardis, Finch Marketing Consultant.

Key Takeaways:

Conversion Rate Improvement: The speakers shared practical tips to increase conversion rates, from refining user experiences to creating compelling calls to action. Every touchpoint in the buying journey was analyzed, with a focus on reducing friction and encouraging customers to complete their purchases.

Creating Lasting Impressions: What Matters Most in Every Customer Interaction

In the second session of our Creativity Meets eCommerce Strategy webinar series, Finch & Flocksy focused on the art of making every customer interaction count. Industry experts Alex Kennedy, Finch VP of Services, Adrian Brady-Cesana, CxChronicles founder, Charles Ryan, Flocksy COO, and David Pedrozo, Flocksy video and motion graphic artist team lead, explored how compelling visuals and engaging content can turn ordinary touchpoints into memorable experiences that drive loyalty and long-term growth

Our second webinar engaged the audience with practical advice and tips from industry experts. Touchpoints of the customer journey, or moments when prospective customers interact with a brand in any way, were the main topics of the webinar. Some examples of customer journey touchpoints might include a conversation with a customer service representative, reading reviews on a third-party website, or hearing about a brand from a friend or family member.

Kennedy said that optimizing every touchpoint for their business’s specific customer base allows Finch to create a customer journey that resonates at every step.

Brady-Cesana agreed, adding that not giving enough attention to every area and designating who in your organization owns that touchpoint can lead to confusion and trouble.

Ryan said brands that subscribe to Flocksy’s services often come to the business for help with making their marketing materials more cohesive. Flocksy’s artists, designers and writers help them tie their disparate brand elements together, he said.

“It’s definitely a struggle a lot of businesses face,” Ryan said.

Brady-Cesana said his company helps businesses by crafting maps of their entire customer journey, from consideration to loyalty. It’s a step that initially induces skepticism but ends up pointing out areas where more attention is needed.

Two things that help companies optimize their customer journeys are getting everyone involved and making sure everyone feels ownership of the process.

Involving others outside of the executive team is crucial, Kennedy said, because just the top-level view isn’t enough to give your company insight into the entire journey.

The webinar’s speakers named creativity, customization and personalization as some of the most important elements to optimization of the customer journey.

Creativity isn’t about always making avant garde art, Pedrozo said, but figuring out how to make the best possible project for the client. The way we share information with our audience is powerful and can lead to them becoming allies and advocates, he said.

Webinar moderator Sarah Fitzgerald told a story of a hotel stay where employees took care to know her name and her preferences, leaving her feeling cared for and like royalty.

Large companies often struggle with providing that level of personalization, Brady-Cesana said. Empowering employees to have access to customers’ names and preferences will help them feel like they have a relationship and a partnership with the brand, he added.

Constant collaboration and communication are necessary for keeping creative and operational efforts aligned, Ryan said.

Three things to sort out for the greatest success include:

Who each employee should go to for what
When to contact someone and when to handle it yourself
Encourage people to be proactive and address client concerns before they become an issue.

“At the end of the day it’s just people dealing with people,” Ryan said. “You need to talk to people, collaborate, and touch base with one another.”

Key Takeaways:

Crafting Compelling Visuals & Content: Effective customer interactions begin with captivating visuals and engaging content. We discussed how these elements work together to grab attention, foster connection, and keep customers coming back for more.

Fostering Loyalty Through Key Touchpoints: Every interaction, whether big or small, contributes to the customer’s perception of your brand. We highlighted the importance of prioritizing what matters most at each touchpoint to build lasting loyalty.

Aligning Creativity with Performance: The session also provided practical tips for ensuring that your creative efforts are not just visually appealing, but also aligned with performance goals. By maximizing the impact of your content, you can drive both engagement and results.

This session was designed for eCommerce professionals, marketing leaders, and business owners eager to enhance customer interactions and create experiences that stick.

Stay tuned for the next webinar in our series as we continue to unlock more insights and strategies for eCommerce success! Sign up here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6521963667930603099

About Finch and Flocksy:

Finch specializes in crafting killer marketing strategies that remove friction from the customer journey, using the right people, the right process, and the right technology. Since 2016, Flocksy has been the most affordable unlimited marketing materials platform, helping brands create high-quality, on-brand content that captivates audiences and drives real results. Together, we empower businesses and agencies to achieve growth by blending expertise, creativity, and seamless collaboration.

The Collaborative Journey: Why a Healthy Customer Journey is a Team Sport

The first session of the Finch and Flocksy Webinar series, Creativity Meets eCommerce Strategy, is complete! With over 90 registrants, we had attendees from across multiple industries and more than ten countries!

Expert panelists teamed up on August 22nd to tackle one of the most critical aspects of eCommerce growth: collaboration. Speakers like Flocksy CMO, George Ryan and Fireside Founder, Drew Himel discussed how a well-coordinated team effort can create a seamless, positive customer experience from start to finish.

“Understanding the emotional triggers at each touchpoint can significantly impact consumer behavior,” George said. “We focus on identifying these triggers and tailoring our messaging and design to connect with the customer on a deeper level, driving more meaningful engagement.”

Mike Mardis, a marketing consultant with Finch, moderated the webinar. Discussing various stops on the customer journey, he emphasized the importance of ensuring equal effort in every area.

“Any one of these touchpoints could be the one that’s kicking people out,” Mardis said. “All of these are very important. In order to make them work, you have to get input from all over your organization.”

Scott Brandley, founder and CEO of Shopper Approved, shared his insights into crafting your company’s customer journey. He said customer retention and loyalty can be the most cost-effective steps, especially compared to acquiring new customers.

Reviews and social proof, when properly levied by businesses, can be powerful tools to inspire this loyalty. He recommended ensuring that reviews and testimonials are consistent across a business’s web presence.

“Show your social proof on the website,” he said. “They say, ‘I saw it on their review pages, and I’m seeing it again on the website. I’m in the right place.’”

Himel said his company uses several apps to reward its loyal customers with incentives and bonuses, which leads to customers ultimately spending more money with them.

“It’s so expensive to get customers, so taking care of them is a ‘two birds, one stone’ type of thing.

Himel recommended eCommerce businesses’ first steps should be to lay a solid foundation across all aspects of their customer journey and in all departments, including sales. The next step, he said, was to find a couple of critical areas to focus on and look for improvements in those areas.

Sarah Fitzgerald, head of marketing at Flocksy, said customers no longer want a strictly transactional experience with brands. They prefer to know they’re spending their money with real people who care about them.

In response, she has crafted Flocksy’s social media to feature more personalized content, including how-to videos from creatives, free resources, and best practices for Flocksy clients, from Flocksy clients.

“We’re fostering more of a relationship among those we call our Flock,” she said. “It’s a community of creatives who want to grow together and learn from each other.”

Key Takeaways:

Collaboration is Key: When marketing, sales, and customer service work together, the customer journey can be dramatically enhanced. By aligning goals and communication, teams can ensure that every touchpoint with the customer adds value.

Optimizing Critical Touchpoints: Identifying and smoothing out friction points in the customer journey is essential for boosting satisfaction and reducing churn. A healthy journey is proactive, addressing potential issues before they become barriers.

Actionable Strategies: Attendees walked away with practical tips on improving customer acquisition and retention through better teamwork. From streamlining processes to focusing on retargeting, these strategies are designed to make every step of the journey count.

Ready to turn your customer journey into a winning strategy? Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming webinars! To register for the next webinar on August 29, click here: https://flocksy.com/webinar/?blog1.

About Finch and Flocksy:

Finch specializes in crafting killer marketing strategies that remove friction from the customer journey, using the right people, processes, and technology. Since 2016, Flocksy has been the most affordable unlimited marketing materials platform, helping brands create high-quality, on-brand content that captivates audiences and drives real results. Together, we empower businesses and agencies to achieve growth by blending expertise, creativity, and seamless collaboration.

Clockify Alternatives (UPDATED 2023)

Time tracking is a crucial aspect of many businesses, and it’s important to find the right tool that can help you manage your time effectively. Clockify is a popular time-tracking software that provides a range of features to help you track your time and improve your productivity. However, if you’re looking for an alternative to Clockify, there are several options available. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the top 5 Clockify alternatives.

Daybeam (recommended)

Daybeam is one of the simplest and easiest time-tracking systems to use. It focuses on showing you what the total cost is for tasks and makes it easy for users to track their time. Currently, they are only allowing certain people to signup, but you can join the waitlist here. Plus, it is 100% free.

Harvest

Harvest is another popular time-tracking tool that offers a range of features to help you manage your time effectively. It provides time tracking, invoicing, project management, reporting, and more. Harvest also integrates with several popular project management tools such as Asana, Trello, and Jira.

RescueTime

RescueTime is a time-tracking tool that helps you understand how you’re spending your time. It tracks the time you spend on various tasks and provides detailed reports to help you identify areas where you can improve your productivity. RescueTime also provides a range of features, such as blocking distracting websites and setting goals to help you manage your time effectively.

Hubstaff

Hubstaff is a time-tracking tool that provides a range of features to help you manage your time effectively. It offers time tracking, project management, reporting, and more. Hubstaff also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate, and it’s available for desktop, mobile, and web platforms.

ClickUp

ClickUp is a project management tool that offers time tracking as one of its many features. It provides a range of features such as task management, time tracking, reporting, and more. ClickUp also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate, and it’s available for desktop, mobile, and web platforms.

In conclusion, there are several Clockify alternatives available that offer a range of features to help you manage your time effectively. Whether you’re looking for a simple time-tracking tool or a more comprehensive project management tool, there’s an option available to suit your needs. It’s important to evaluate your requirements carefully before selecting a time-tracking tool to ensure that it meets your specific needs.

ChatGPT & The Ethics of AI Copywriting

With the recent news of ChatGPT and AI writing, many are wondering how ethical the practice of having a computer scour the internet and compose copy truly is. While the innovation is impressive, real issues can arise from using it or similar technology to generate content.

So, what is ChatGPT and its GPT-3, and what does it mean for the world of copywriting and language? Is there an ethical concern about AI content? There are a lot of questions to answer, so let’s dig into this growing trend and consider why getting your copy the old-fashioned way is still likely the best way to do it.

ChatGPT & AI

ChatGPT is an OpenAI chatbot they created using the GPT-3 technology. GPT-3, or Generative Pretrained Transformer 3, is an advanced language processing AI that OpenAI created. They claim that it can produce human-like text. This ability could mean it has a variety of applications, including language translation, language modeling, and, most concerningly, generating text for websites and consumers to use however they wish. It’s one of the largest, most powerful language-processing AI models we’ve seen, with 175 billion parameters.

Its predominantly been used to create ChatGPT, the impressive chatbot. It doesn’t use pre-programmed responses but can generate them on the fly to create a more realistic conversation between the user and itself.

You can provide GPT-3 with various worded prompts, like questions or requests for a piece of writing on a topic you choose, and it will create the results. But how does it come up with the responses?

In simple terms, the AI was fed text from databases across the internet, including books, articles, web texts, Wikipedia, and more. In fact, about 300 billion words were fed into the system. So, it pulls its text and responses from existing sources on the internet to produce a response.

However, it’s not flawless. You can get incorrect information, and the bot can misunderstand what you’re asking. Additionally, if your prompt or request is very niche, or if you add too many factors, it can get overwhelmed or ignore sections of the prompt completely.

For example, if you’re requesting a tale of two people and provide their jobs, names, ages, and where they live, it can jumble up that information and randomly set each one to the two characters instead of how you prompted it.

And, of course, grammar is always a concern. While there are advanced grammar-checking programs, and the AI likely has a similar internal process, those programs don’t always get it right. You’ve likely dismissed a suggestion from a grammar checker for being a little off and maybe even completely wrong. Who’s to say what rules the AI bot uses for its grammatical structure, or if because it references the whole of the internet’s writing, it will be riddled with errors?

The Ethics of AI Writing

There are a couple of things to be wary of when considering the ethics of AI copywriting. Firstly, it pulls its data from the internet.

As a result of this fact, it can assume some of the internet’s biases, stereotypes, and general assumptions. Off-color jokes or stereotypes about certain groups or political figures can come up based on what you ask and how.

If you wanted a comedy routine, it is very likely that you’ll get some jokes about ex-politicians or marginalized groups who are often the butt of jokes in comedy bits. That can be highly problematic. Depending on where the bot decides to pull the information from, you could potentially get downright racist information in return.

Because internet forums and articles are a huge source of data for these bots, you’ll also run the risk of getting fake news or conspiracy theories returned. The system isn’t perfect, and it may be unable to tell the difference between fact and fiction.

The second primary concern is plagiarism.

When it comes down to it, if you use a content bot to create an article, say that you were totally responsible for it, and release it into the world. That’s plagiarism.

And it’s not just writing where this is an issue. The arguments over AI art also make a strong case for plagiarism. In order to create that artwork, the bot pulls from existing images and piecing them together to create its results. Those artists who put their work on the internet are essentially having their work copied and pasted somewhere else by a computer.

You can’t trace someone’s drawing, color it slightly differently, add a few things, and call it your own.

What’s more, if you’re paid to create an article and have a copy bot do it for you, that’s unethical and likely a breach of contract. You’ve been hired to do the work, and you aren’t doing it. In a similar vein, there have already been reports like this one in the New York Post about students using AI copywriting tools to do their papers. If you think it’s wrong for a student not to do the work, you shouldn’t want your professional writers to do it, either.

Flocksy’s Promise

At Flocksy, we hire real people to sit down and write your copy. You won’t find an AI bot delivering material harvested from the internet that may or may not be correct. Our skilled copywriting experts do the work, create unique content that won’t get flagged by Google, and is easy for readers to absorb and enjoy.

We won’t use AI, and we can assure you that the content you get from our writers will be much better than anything a robot would write for you.

You can see examples of our top-notch copywriting in our portfolio here.

Bi Weekly Resource Round Up Vol 24

Featured Flocksy Team Member Design Of The Month:

Here is a custom facebook ad mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Janelle.

All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.

Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!

8 Guidelines To Follow If You Want Your Startup To Succeed

by Flocksy writer Jules

Around 90% of startups fail. You need more than just a great idea. In this article, you will learn 8 essential tips to guide your startup to success. continue

Navigating The First Year Of Your Startup

by Flocksy Writer Mariah.

It’s no secret that starting a business is intimidating. Branching out and taking a leap of faith to embark on a new journey with an unclear path isn’t for everyone.

But, if you’re reading this, then it means that you’re ready to start taking the steps to solidify your future and build your startup into a driving force of innovation and ingenuity. continue

10 Great Explainer Videos To Inspire You

by Flocksy Writer Eden.

Whether you’re new to marketing or are a seasoned veteran, every marketer needs to know how to make an explainer video.

But what if you’re stuck on what to do when making your explainer video? Luckily, we’re here to help you.

This blog post will discuss 10 examples of great explainer videos and why we like them so much. continue

Brand Buckets And How To Use Them

by Flocksy Writer Rachel.

When you submit a project request, you’ll be prompted to fill out information about the task. Before doing this, though, you should upload files to your brand bucket.

Doing so helps ensure that the creatives have the information that they need to successfully complete your project. continue

Bi-Weekly Resource Round Up Vol 23

Featured Flocksy Team Member Design Of The Month:

Here is a custom facebook ad mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Amanda.

All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.

Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!

How To Choose the Best Typography for Your Website

by Flocksy writer Mary Lee

You’ve put so much work into developing the content that makes up a website, and now it’s time to put on the finishing touches.

That includes choosing the typography that represents your client, the site, the products, or the service in the best light. continue

The Evolution and Future of Web Design

by Flocksy Writer Rachel.

These days, the user experience is everything, and web designers are happily pushing boundaries to offer something extraordinary.

Still, classic design elements have formed the foundation of today’s digital realm.

Let’s take a walk through the evolution of web design. continue

Pre-built Websites: A Convenient Trend

by Flocksy Writer Alexandra.

Web design trends come and go like everything else.

But there’s one that stands out among the pack for it’s huge impact and convenience.

That is the trend of pre-built websites.
continue

How to Leave Feedback For Your Creative

by Flocksy Writer Rachel.

Now that your creative project has been posted on Flocksy, you can sit back and await great results.

But when the team member added to your project sends over a draft or proof, you might find yourself facing a difficult question:

What do you do if you don’t like the result? continue

12 Essential Social Media Apps To Market Your Business

There’s no question that a social media presence is good for business. Over 80% of people in the US have at least one social media profile, and more than half of those have multiple accounts.

That means there’s a high chance of reaching customers on various social media platforms, whether through brand awareness, content marketing, or video ads. In fact, the majority of social media users also use their favorite platforms to directly purchase products.

While some of the best social media platforms to include in your marketing campaigns are household names that you may already use, there are a number of less commonly used apps with millions of daily users that can be an effective addition to your media mix.

Here are our top 12 social media apps to market and grow your business – in no particular order.

Facebook

Facebook is not only the biggest social media network in the world, it also has the most developed advertising platform of all of the apps available. Because it is such an established site, the tools at your disposal are easy to use, intuitive, and make the most of your budget.

Whether you choose to list your business on Facebook, utilize ads to target users, or set up your customer service through Messenger, it’s very likely new customers will find you there.

TikTok

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are you’ve heard of TikTok, one of the fastest-growing social media apps of all time.

With TikTok’s reputation for attracting a younger generation and having its own set of rules and trends dictating videos including dancing and lip-syncing, some businesses shy away from the platform.

But given it’s enormous potential for advertising either as a business or through influencers, companies should take note.

Instagram

Smart advertisers already know that Instagram is so much more than a place to post vacation pictures. You can easily start by setting up an Instagram business profile and posting deals, promotions, sales, and product information.

As a visual app, companies can easily post images or videos without having to write long posts. Instagram also gives its business users access to dedicated resources to assist them in growing their audience.

WeChat

Looking to branch out into international markets? If you’re considering China, it’s important to note that many popular US social media apps like Facebook and Instagram aren’t available to Chinese consumers.

This makes WeChat a great option for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market. While it started as a messaging app, it has grown into a platform for online shopping, advertising, and booking.

LinkedIn is popularized for being the go-to social platform for building a professional network, as well as finding a new job or recruiting employees.

It’s also a great tool for marketing, particularly for B2B commerce: did you know 80 percent of B2B social media marketing leads come from LinkedIn?

Pinterest is a social media site for curating a digital pinboard of your ideal aesthetic – whether that’s through interior design, fashion, beauty products, or even food.

While the company does provide Pinterest Ads to businesses looking to promote their services, simply setting up a free Pinterest profile for your business to tell visual stories about your products or services can drive serious traffic to your company.

Similar to WeChat, QQ is an instant messaging app. Based in China, the platform has grown its reach into more than 80 countries with a whopping 807 million users.

That’s twice the number of Twitter users around the world, making QQ the biggest social media app you’ve never heard of.

While Reddit began as a more obscure destination for internet users with specialized interest, it has quickly grown into a reputable platform for crowdsourced information.

While finding your niche on a subreddit is relatively easy, a self-promotion ban is heavily enforced on the site.

This means businesses need to get creative with what they share. With 430 million users, however, the payoff is well worth it.

Twitter

One of the oldest and most established social media sites, Twitter allows you to share videos, pictures, and short posts in real time.

Many companies have found success with live-tweeting and using hashtags for promotions, as well as using the opportunity to easily interact with users.

The platform also boasts business-friendly tools such as Twitter Analytics to track the success of your campaigns.

YouTube

Users watch over 1 billion hours of video on Youtube every day. That’s good news and bad news for companies looking to expand their video marketing: there’s a lot of users to watch your content, but there’s already quite a bit of great content out there!

Decide ahead of time how you’re going to make the best use of your YouTube marketing strategy by asking yourself beforehand if you want to grow your audience through search optimization, promote products through direct ads, or increase brand awareness through content marketing.

Google Business Profile

Formerly known as “Google My Business,” your Google Business Profile is a listing for your company that users find when searching on Google.

While it’s more of a straightforward listing service, you can use the social media aspects, such as reviews and localized posting, to your marketing advantage.

Data shows that keeping your Google Business Profile verified and up to date significantly increases your click through rate and any potential purchases.

Snapchat

Companies may shy away from Snapchat because the main draw of the app is that content disappears after 24 hours.

But many intrepid brands have found ways to use that to their benefit when marketing, by promoting sales and other news with more urgency to their users.

Snapchat allows you to directly tap into a younger audience with a basic free profile, or choose to pay to advertise your posts on their discovery page.