Social Media for International Growth

Using Social Media for International Growth: Platforms and Best Practices

published on: 10.09.2024 last updated on: 12.09.2024

Establishing an international social media presence can jumpstart your business’s global expansion. When entering a new market, brand recognition is tantamount to success. You may have a well-established brand locally, but how can you translate this success internationally?

Customers tend to choose brands they recognize and trust. In a new market, your target audience may not initially recognize your brand and instead reach for the competition. Successful marketing strategies focus on enhancing brand visibility and forming connections with their new audience. If you can grab the attention of your new target audience, inviting engagement, you can begin to build positive brand recognition. Visibility fosters recognition, which in turn fosters brand trust.

How can you enhance visibility and invite engagement with your brand in a new market? Through social media. Social media is a powerful tool for bridging the gap and forming connections across the globe.

Keep reading to learn how to effectively use social media to broaden your audience and experience international growth.

Boost Growth With International Social Media Platforms

Which social media platforms are best suited for expanding your business globally? With a host of available platforms and ever-emerging apps, it may be difficult to distinguish which ones work well globally and not just locally. Different regions prefer different social media platforms based on demographics and availability. To build a robust global presence, your business must diversify its platforms.

Let’s look at some of the highest-performing global platforms that successfully engage audiences:

Facebook

Facebook is one of the most active social media platforms worldwide. Roughly 37 percent of the world’s population uses Facebook. That means 2.989 billion people are Facebook users. It’s also compatible with all content formats, from text to images and videos.

WhatsApp

More than 2 billion people in over 180 countries use WhatsApp to stay in touch. Though initially used to connect friends and family, it’s now an effective tool businesses use to provide one-on-one customer support.

YouTube

Compelling video is one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience and boost SEO. With billions of watch hours daily and availability in over 100 countries, YouTube is among the leading video-sharing platforms. Use video to enhance visibility and increase engagement.

Instagram

Instagram is the ideal platform for boosting engagement. Connect with your global audience by showcasing who your brand is and why it matters. Interact with users by answering questions and responding to messages. Use reels and polls to encourage interaction and increase engagement. Create shareable content and creative tags to promote sharing and increase visibility.

TikTok

TikTok is one of the fastest-growing apps worldwide and popular among younger audiences. If your target audience trends young, use this platform to create fun and engaging videos. Quickly hook your targeted demographic and encourage them to share with their peers.

X (Formerly Twitter)

Exceptional customer service keeps customers coming back for more. The better the customer service, the more credible your brand’s reputation. Your brand reputation is important when building relationships in new international markets. Twitter is a popular and effective method for businesses to connect with their customers, with 80 percent of their customer service requests happening on Twitter.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is no longer simply a job search engine. It has become a trusted and reputable network where businesses can share ideas, build brand identity, forge helpful networks, and attract customers.

Don’t Forget Localized Social Media Platforms

Since not all social media apps are available in all regions, it’s essential to utilize international social media platforms as well as localized social media. Localized social media are the apps that are both accessible and popular regionally.

Use analytics to learn which demographics are using which apps. Understanding consumer preferences will help you identify which apps are performing well regionally. Meet your audience where they already are. Create local accounts and begin engaging with your target demographic. Post relevant and compelling content, increasing the chances of a new audience sharing your videos or posts and enhancing brand visibility.

Make sure to keep an eye on emerging platforms as well. If your brand can establish a presence on platforms primed for growth, you can increase engagement from the outset. Getting ahead will help your brand cut through the noise and stand out.

Remember Cultural Differences

While having a consistent brand identity is important, adapting to different cultures is equally important. When interacting with international audiences, remember to keep your global messaging broad. Avoid slang, imagery, events, or trends that don’t connect with international audiences.

If you focus on niche markets tailored to a region’s preferences, use localized strategies to create culturally relevant campaigns. Use cultural references and include local holidays in regional promotions.

To navigate the complexities of global expansion, you should partner with a marketing agency like InnoVision Global Marketing. Marketing firms will have the resources and expertise to help your brand succeed internationally.

Partner With Local Influencers

Who are the top trusted influencers in your key markets for global expansion? Working with a local influencer will help establish trust with a new market. You want your business to be known as a brand customers can trust.

It can take a lot of work to establish trust in a new market, but consumers are more likely to use products or services they don’t recognize if they are endorsed by someone they trust. Local influencers with a positive reputation can transfer their reputation onto your brand.

Work with social media influencers who embody your brand’s core messages and share similar audiences. If your product is makeup, look for a beauty influencer who has already reached your target audience, giving you access to an established circle of viewers.

The right partnerships can help you transcend cultural differences. They will know your audience’s local language, customs, social norms, and preferences and help you adapt to bridge the cultural gap.

Through international social media marketing, you can broaden your audience and target a new demographic. Transcend cultural differences, connect with audiences, and watch your business thrive internationally.

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A self-proclaimed Swiftian, Instagram-holic, and blogger, Subhasree eats, breathes, and sleeps pop culture. When she is not imagining dates with Iron Man on Stark Tower (yes, she has the biggest crush on RDJ, which she won’t admit), she can be seen tweeting about the latest trends. Always the first one to break viral news, Subhasree is addicted to social media, and leaves out no opportunity of blogging about the same. She is our go-to source for the latest algorithm updates and our resident editor.

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