With that in mind, we’ve decided to provide you with a simple breakdown of the benefits of each social media platform and which industry/business they are most appropriate for. By dedicating your time and resources to relevant social media platforms, you set yourself up to increase your return on investment, lead generation, and brand awareness.

Find out which social media platforms are best for your business now:

Facebook: Still one of the most popular social media platforms, Facebook is one that almost any business can startup to kick-off their social media efforts. Many users now research companies through Facebook and Facebook’s Graph Search so it’s great in terms of being found by potential customers.

Twitter: This is a very conversational social media platform that is ideal for businesses that are sending out quick and constant messages to their followers. Great for retail companies, restaurants, news sources, etc., Twitter can help promote events and deals that you’re offering on a weekly basis.

LinkedIn: This platform is geared toward networking with professionals. From building your reputation to gaining business partners, this is an ideal platform for most businesses. However, content and sharing should be kept strictly professional and educational

Google+: Another good platform for almost any business due to its easy social interaction and ability to help your business be found in search engines for local searches. Consider adding a Google Places to your account to enhance your opportunity to show up in search results.

YouTube: Video takes some commitment and dedication, but the benefits that it can provide to your business are countless. It’s engaging and leaves a lasting impression again and again. Most companies can use Twitter if they have the content and resources to produce a variety of videos. This is another great search engine pusher to help potential customers find you.

Pinterest: As a very visual platform, Pinterest is excellent for retailers, magazines, and any type of lifestyle business. Now that Pinterest has really proven its worth, more and more businesses are finding the value of getting involved, creating pin boards, and, newly introduced, advertising on Pinterest.

Which social media platforms do you use for your business?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net