Instagram vs. TikTok: What's the Best Choice For Your Business?
There are lots of hot topics that stir debate. Hot coffee or iced? Mets or Yankees? Taylor ham or pork roll? And when it comes to social media, business owners often find themselves torn between two platforms—Instagram and TikTok.
Both have their strengths (and limitations), so the choice depends on your audience, niche, and content style. So, how do you know which one to focus on? Let’s break down the key highlights of each to help make the decision a little easier.
With over 1.5 billion active users, Instagram has recently risen in popularity among millennials and gen Xers. For businesses targeting a broader reach, Instagram fits the bill. Here are some of the more popular features users can expect:
- High-quality visuals: Carousel posts and short-form videos allow businesses to showcase their branding.
- Instagram Shopping: Allows business owners to share products through tagging for seamless purchasing.
- Content Variety: Reels, Stories, and IG Live help increase engagement and brand awareness in different formats.
In short, if you prioritize visual storytelling, polished branding, and are looking to break into e-commerce, Instagram is the right choice.
TikTok
TikTok’s rapid growth has them clocking in at over 1 billion active users, with about 60% of users aged 16-24. This younger demographic makes it ideal for businesses that want to target audiences focused on trends and up-and-coming marketing. These are just a few reasons one of social media’s fastest growing platforms may benefit your business.
TikTok may be a good fit for your social media strategy:
- Relatable Tone: The platform is all about short, entertaining, and less formal videos. Humor and unique challenges reign supreme, so if you prefer a more casual, creative content style, TikTok is for you!
- Easy Access: TikTok’s algorithm offers strong organic reach potential, making it easier for content to go viral.
- Affordable Outreach: Branded hashtag challenges and paid ads offer cost-effective ways to reach new users.
There’s no doubt that TikTok favors quantity over quality due to its faster-paced platform. If you prefer to focus on creativity instead of perfection, consider adding this to your social media calendar.
So, the real question is: Do you need to choose one over the other, or can you utilize both? At Officially Social, we encourage our clients to take risks. You never know how it might pay off! But most importantly, make sure you choose platforms that excite you, and that you’ll actually have fun nurturing.
There is enough room for both options in your online marketing, depending on your specific needs and goals. It might not be as easy of a choice as say, the Yankees (sorry, Mets fans!) but with the right strategy, you can incorporate both platforms into your business plan.
One of the biggest questions we hear from business owners is how they can grow their social media quickly. Many have been led to believe that social media growth equals success. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case! It’s a common misconception that the bigger your following, the more credibility and sales you will have. Expanding your audience is important BUT the quality of that growth matters far more than the quantity. Anyone can pay for followers, but what matters is choosing your growth campaigns carefully; even better when they're done with the help of an industry expert. With the right strategy, you can develop a meaningful, engaged community rather than chasing empty followers. Here are three rules we recommend following when creating growth campaigns for your social media channels. Rule #1: Focus on Finding a Genuine Audience We know that total follower count is a distracting number, but an engaged, loyal audience is what matters in the long run. Fake followers will only hurt your visibility, and the algorithms will not favor your content. A solid growth campaign should prioritize attracting your target audience—people genuinely interested in your brand who will interact, share, and like your posts. Rule #2: Make Your Growth Campaign Intentional Don’t be fooled by the promise of quick results and a quick following. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Social media platforms make it easy to run campaigns, but there are disparities in effectiveness because rapid growth doesn’t always translate to value. It pays to be patient and strategic when building your audience. A bigger number that lacks any real connection will make finding your true followers harder. Rule #3: Rely on Data Data and analytics are a crucial point of any growth campaign. If you’re investing money for better results, you want to see the ROI. The key is to look past your follower count and focus on engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), external link clicks, and audience retention. These things will lead to long-term success rather than just a bunch of uninvested followers. One more thing to remember is that boosting posts, while valuable and serving a purpose, is NOT a growth campaign. A proper growth campaign is a strategic effort to increase your following, engagement, and overall reach. If this sounds like something your business could benefit from and you’d like to learn more, visit us at officiallysocial.com or email alison@officiallysocial.com anytime!
One of the biggest questions we hear from clients is how to get more followers. And that’s because most people assume that the more followers you have, the more exposure and reach your content is likely to get. And while there is some truth to that, the number isn’t the only important thing—the quality of your audience also matters! Yes, a strong following is essential for your business. But while paid promotions can give you a temporary boost, growing your audience organically ensures long-term engagement and credibility. Here are six ways to do it effectively: 1. Post Consistently : We can’t say it enough—content is king. If it’s been a while since you’ve shared something, don’t overthink it. People aren’t looking for perfection on social media. They’re looking for a connection. Create valuable, engaging, and visually appealing content that aligns with your brand, and utilize a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience tuning in. 2. Research Trending Hashtags : Hashtags aren’t dead, we promise! In fact, they are a big help in increasing discoverability because they categorize your posts, making them easier to find when users search for related topics. Try incorporating a mix of popular and niche hashtags relevant to your business to maximize your audience. 3. Engage with Your Audience : Social media is meant to be social! There needs to be a give and take, so be sure to reply to comments and messages promptly. You'll also want to like, share, and simply acknowledge others’ content. The more active you are, the more likely people are to follow and interact with you in return. 4. Collaborate with Others : Know another local business that’d be interested in partnering in an event? Or perhaps some influencers might want to work together to increase brand awareness. Don’t be afraid to reach out! Cross-promotions and shoutouts can boost your visibility without the additional cost of paid ads. 5. Seek User-Generated Content : Authentic, user-generated content is trending across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Ask followers to share pictures, videos, and reviews related to your brand. You can then feature this content to create a sense of community and encourage others to participate. 6. Be Patient: Perhaps the hardest on this list is understanding that solid organic growth takes time. If you stay consistent, track your progress, and refine your strategy as needed, you’ll work toward building a loyal following that sticks around. With such an inundation of social media, people are simply looking to follow accounts they can connect to. By implementing these strategies, you’ll see steady, meaningful follower growth—so stay authentic, be consistent, and remember the value you are providing your audience.
Having a strong social media presence has become less of an option and more of a non-negotiable for business owners. Regardless of the size or niche of your company, maintaining consistent branding and messaging on various platforms is a MUST for driving traction. If you’ve tried managing your social media content independently, you know how time-consuming it can be; time that could be much better allocated toward other aspects of growing your business that you actually enjoy! This is where a designated social media manager comes in. An effective social media manager will create exclusive content in an authentic voice that resonates with your audience. Yes, it is a financial investment, but the time and freedom you gain is invaluable. Here are five more reasons why outsourcing social media may be the right choice for your business. 1. They are experts in their field: Social media managers thrive off of the exciting, ever-changing landscape of Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Yes, it’s hard to keep up with the latest algorithms and trends, but when you hire a manager, you can trust their decisions are driven by proven strategies that will help build your brand. 2. They study and utilize monthly analytics: The numbers don’t lie. So, the easiest way to ensure what you’re posting is reaching the right audience is to examine your analytics every month. An experienced social media manager knows exactly what performance metrics to look for and will provide actionable insights for continuous growth and improvement. 3. They are huge time savers: Perhaps the biggest benefit, outsourcing your content creation to a professional frees up time, letting you focus on what you do best running a business! Leave the engagement, responding to comments, and managing DMs to someone else and you’ll be amazed at what a weight is lifted from your shoulders. 4. They help you stay ahead of the competition: Today’s online presence is all about staying relevant. If you’re not reaching your target audience, someone else is. Hiring a social media manager will help your business stay ahead by identifying trends and opportunities others might miss. 5. They create consistency: Your brand’s voice and messaging should be kept cohesive across all platforms. A social media manager will work to develop consistent messaging that builds trust, credibility, and recognition with your audience. Regardless of how busy YOU are, with a social media manager, you can guarantee your posts will run like clockwork. Investing in a great social media manager can help your business reach its full potential. Their expertise, creativity, and strategic content planning will elevate your brand and audience, all while freeing you your time, energy, and most importantly—less stress. Ready to take your social media to the next level? Email the team at Officially Social today- alison@officiallysocial.com.