According to an article from British newspaper The Guardian, Facebook is “dead and buried” to teens. So, is Facebook on its way out?
These teenagers seem to be flocking to sites such as Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram as the older generations, including their parents and grandparents, become increasingly more active on Facebook. These articles suggest that teens are leaving Facebook and opting for social media platforms with less parental presence. Despite these stories, I personally haven’t noticed any drastic drop in activity on my Facebook feed, albeit, most of the people I connect with on the site aren’t teenagers. But if this target demographic is shifting away from Facebook, it may be necessary for companies to readjust their social and digital marketing strategies. So is Facebook losing its luster?
I recently had the opportunity to attend a two-day digital conference, and this question was addressed in several of the panels. All of the speakers seemed to have different views. Some said continuing to stay active on Facebook is in a company’s best interest, as the site still remains very active (it still holds the number 2 spot on the Alexa ratings Top 500 webpages). However, others suggested that as more and more social media platforms become relevant, Facebook is slowly losing that top spot its been holding onto for so long, thus making activity on other platforms necessary for brands to stay connected with their audience.
What does the shift mean for brands who heavily rely on social media to promote their business? If teens and those in their early twenties are part of your target demographic, it can have a huge impact on how you connect with your audience. Millennials are the digital generation, and gather their news from social platforms. And the number of social media platforms continues to grow every single day. What is the most effective way to reach them in the ever-changing world of social media without exhausting your time and marketing budget? As a company, your best bet is to decide on a select number of social media channels, and effectively maintain and manage these presences. Remember, quality over quantity! It’s better to have 2 or 3 quality profiles than inactive profiles on every platform that gains traction. Figure out which platforms will be most effective at connecting with your target audience, and focus your efforts there.
If you’re looking to refine your social media and digital strategy, we can help! Glint has assisted a wide variety of clients, in many different fields, establish, maintain, and effectively connect with their audience through social media platforms. Feel free to e-mail us at digital@glintadv.com or give us a call at (817) 616-0320 to discuss some opportunities for social expansion.