There are currently 5.07 billion social media users and 5.44 billion internet users worldwide, and it’s up to digital marketers and content creators to identify and attract their brand’s target audience among those billions of users. However, considering social media users share a whopping 14 billion images on social media daily, the odds of your ideal audience stumbling across your content are similar to the chances of finding a needle in a haystack. Plus, once your audience finds you, forming a relationship with them is a whole new challenge. 

Despite the difficulties of cultivating an online following, it’s essential to the success of your business. If you need help connecting with your online audience in the new year—you’re not alone. Forge meaningful, lasting connections with your online audience with these five tips!

Choose the Right Platforms

The days when Facebook was the only widely used social media platform are over. Today, social media users have endless sites to choose from. Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube all boast over half a billion active monthly users, while sites like Reddit, LinkedIn, and Pinterest continue to gain popularity in the United States. 

Social media marketers have limited time and resources to spend, so it’s nearly impossible to cultivate an audience on every single site. Instead, focus on the social media platforms that align best with your business goals and audience needs. By doing so, you can allocate more time and resources toward building meaningful connections with your core online audience. When selecting the ideal platform for you, consider the following factors: 

  • Your Audience: The most critical factor in determining which social media platform you should use is your audience. If your target demographic doesn’t use Facebook, the quality of content posted won’t matter because no one will see it. Research the channels your audience uses most to understand where to start.

  • Your Brand’s Identity: The type of business you’re running matters when choosing social media platforms. B2B businesses will thrive more on LinkedIn, while graphic designers and visual artists can better showcase their skills on Instagram. Consider what your brand offers consumers and where they might seek your products or services.

  • Your Competitors: If you’re struggling to find a platform that’s right for your brand, check your competitor's online presence. Investigate their profiles and content to see what audiences respond to most and how engaged they are per channel. 

  • The Platform’s Characteristics: Each social media site has unique features that appeal to different people and enable various modes of communication. Reddit is a predominantly text-based platform for communities with niche interests, while TikTok is known for its short-form video content and largely Gen Z audience base. Understanding the types of content that work best on each platform will help you decide where your brand belongs. 

Prioritize Content Quality

Even if you find the right platform for your audience, they won’t be interested unless they have compelling content to engage with. Social media posts are a dime a dozen, so how can you make your content stand out from the rest? Once again, knowing your audience is key. Consumers want content that is relatable and relevant to them, so as a content creator, you have to be able to understand the needs and preferences of your target demographic. Creating quality content is all about knowing audience values; thus, finding ways to start a dialogue with them through social media posts will help refine your content strategy.

Develop Influencer and UGC Partnerships

Partnering with influencers and UGC creators will help expand your audience base and reach new customers. With influencer partnerships, there is no shortage of ways to approach collaborating, from giveaways to sponsored posts to account takeovers and so much more. The best method for your brand will depend on what you’re trying to promote, the specific influencers you want to work with, and how much time and money you can afford to spend on influencer marketing. 

When determining which influencers to work with, consider how their aesthetics and values align with your brand. Sometimes, partnering with micro-influencers can be more worthwhile than scoring big-name influencers if their content and audience demographic are a better fit. 

Utilize Audience Insights

Social media analytics tools like Sprout Social, Hubspot, and Audiense provide insight into how people interact with your online content to help you increase your conversion rate and boost customer engagement. Additionally, many social media platforms—TikTok, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram—have built-in analytics tools for creators to assess content performance. These insights are crucial to developing a content strategy because they highlight which forms of content perform well and which need to be tweaked or scrapped based on audience feedback. When you know what resonates with your followers and what doesn’t, you can adjust your methods accordingly to ensure your marketing efforts aren’t wasted on ineffective content.

Welcome Change

The social media landscape is always evolving—it seems like every day, a new feature or trend is introduced that completely alters how people interact with online content. To stay on top of the ball as a social media marketer, you must adapt to change. This means constantly updating your strategy as user interests and behavioral patterns shift. Finding your footing in the wake of these changes may involve some trial and error, but with a deep understanding of your audience, strong influencer partnerships, and plenty of analytic tools, you’ll be perfectly equipped to explore the new opportunities they present.

Across all industries, digital marketing is essential for any successful business. Digital marketing establishes a strong relationship with your target audience and increases your brand’s awareness, allowing your company to reach a wider audience. To grow your business, start by evaluating your current digital marketing strategy to determine what’s working and what still needs improvement.

If your team needs assistance navigating digital marketing, let's create a brilliant strategy together. Contact us today, and watch your business grow tomorrow!

Go Beyond The Social With BlueTickSocial

BlueTickSocial is a woman-owned and women-led digital marketing agency. We focus on building your digital presence to generate sales, increase engagement, create brand awareness, and take your company goals to the next level.

Other Sources: 

6 Tips to Choose the Right Social Platform for Your Business

9 Ways To Collaborate With Influencers

20 of the best social media analytics tools for your brand in 2024

How to Connect More with Your Audience

Mastering Online and Social Media Presence for 2025