Social Media Definition: What It Is and Why It Matters

Social media definition

Social media is any channel or technology that lets users share and create ideas, photos, videos, and other content with other people.

Social media has captured the public sphere — 45% of the world’s population is on social media. What about the business sector? 

Today, 91% of companies worldwide use social media marketing to generate leads, talk to customers, and humanize themselves. If you haven’t invested in social media for your business, it’s time to start now.

But what is social media, and why does it matter?

On this page, we’ll cover everything from the social media definition to types of social media exist online. Plus, we’ll share reasons why social media should be an integral part of your marketing strategy.

Keep reading to learn more about the ins and outs of social media and how to incorporate it into your business. Oh, and don’t forget — Subscribe to Revenue Weekly to get more marketing tips straight to your inbox! 

Social media definition: What is social media?

Social media is any channel or technology that lets users share and create ideas, photos, videos, and other content with other people. Social media can be personal, business-related, or both. These platforms are free-to-use websites that anyone can sign up to join and connect with others.

5 types of social media

Many different platforms exist online, but most social media falls under one or more of the following five categories:

1. Social networks

A social network is a site for connecting with other brands and individuals online, and many people use social networks and social media interchangeably. Facebook, Twitter (X), and LinkedIn are excellent social networking sites for personal and professional use. 

2. Media sharing platforms

People and businesses can post videos, pictures, and audio on media sharing sites. Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube are media-based platforms that focus on photos and videos as their sole source of content. These are great platforms to share visual content with your viewers and boost engagement.

3. Customer review sites

People can post their business reviews on these sites and search for opinions from other users. Sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor let your customers post their experience with your business. 

4. Discussion forums

Users can ask questions, post comments, and facilitate conversations on sites like Reddit or Quora. There are also subcategories within these sites that can be topic- or industry-focused. 

5. Bookmarking sites

These websites are ideal for finding and saving resources from external sources. On Pinterest, for example, users can save links or images from other websites and create collections or “boards.” 

Why include social media in your strategy?

You may see the benefits of using social media in your personal life, but what about at your company? Why should you include social media as part of your marketing strategy?

Here are some good reasons:

Improve your brand awareness

Ensuring visibility and developing a brand voice is essential, and 70% of marketers list brand awareness as their top reason for using social media. You can use your social media accounts to create a brand persona to strengthen your company’s values and personality. 

With a broader audience, your brand might resonate with more people. If potential clients see your content more often, they will recognize your company and come back to make purchases. 

Increase website traffic

As you build your social media presence, you can increase linking opportunities for your website. You can link directly to your website in your social media posts and effectively drive more traffic to important pages on your website.

Connect with your audience

You can interact directly with your audience through comments, live videos, and Q&As. The best part of about social media is that you have a direct connection with people interested in your products or services. Use that opportunity to build relationships and nurture leads into becoming customers.

Promote content

Launching a new product or service? Share it with your audience! You can use social media to share photos, tutorial videos, and promotional content for your new or existing offerings. 

You’ll make it easy for customers to hear updates straight from the source, while keeping everyone informed and in the loop. 

Manage your reputation

You can also use social media to handle complaints and requests. If customers leave negative reviews, you can reach out individually to learn more and make things right. When people see you interact and handle customer service issues, they may be more likely to purchase with you.

Be sure to use a professional and polite tone that reflects your brand’s voice across all media platforms. 

Boost your social media campaign with WebFX

Unsure where to get started with your social media campaign? WebFX can help.

We offer social media management to social media advertising plans tailored to your business, so you can grow and drive revenue for your company. From creating a branded profile to targeting the right people, you’ll get social media content and campaigns that help you reach more qualified leads that you can turn into revenue.

Ready to jumpstart your social media marketing strategy? Request your free proposal or call 888-601-5359 today to speak with a strategist!