According to January 2016 data from Statista , the popularity ranking of global social media networks is quite surprising. North Americans might think LinkedIn ranks near the top of social networking favorites, but it is in last place among global users. If you’ve been attempting to build brand authority by posting content on Linkedin, you might reap more benefits by concentrating your efforts elsewhere. The same applies to Pinterest, which comes in second to last in popularity. Pinterest is outranked by other global social networking sites such as Snapchat, Line, and Sina Weibo. If your business is hoping to attract international customers, it is imperative you be aware of the global social media landscape. While some networking sites are popular with North American users, they fall far short in rankings when compared on an international basis. If you want to extend the reach of your brand outside of the United States and Canada, there are a number of social networking sites that should be on your radar.
While Facebook tops the international popularity list with 1.6 billion users, WhatsApp is in second place with 900 million users. That’s a heck of a lot of customers you could be reaching if you were building a brand presence on WhatsApp. Available in dozens of languages ranging from English and Portuguese to Polish and Italian, the WhatsApp messaging app could help you connect with consumers around the world. With instant messaging continuing to grow as a popular tool for brand outreach, WhatsApp offers cross-platform reach to millions of users. Available for numerous mobile platforms including iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows, and Symbian, the WhatsApp messaging platform might be just what you need to grow your brand internationally. If you haven’t considered the option of mobile messaging as part of your digital marketing outreach plans, WhatsApp should be your top priority to investigate if global expansion is on your road map.
If you’ve never heard of QQ, prepare yourself for a deep dive into foreign language messaging. Offered by Tencent, QQ lets users exchange anything from text messages to voice and video messages. Available for multiple mobile platforms, QQ can also be used on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. With 860 million users worldwide, QQ is a must-discover networking platform for businesses hoping to expand their global reach.
QZone
Part of the QQ platform from Tencent, QZone is an intriguing option you should be aware of. QZone is similar to an individual Facebook page that can be reached from within the QQ messaging system. A user simply taps on the QZone link from within QQ to instantly see a specific user’s QZone page. If you’re contemplating integrating QQ into your international brand building efforts, you’ll definitely want to acquaint yourself with QZone too. With 653 million users, it is too big of an opportunity to overlook.
With 650 million global users, WeChat is another messaging platform which growth-focused business owners should be investigating. Available for multiple mobile platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, Nokia, Symbian, and Blackberry, WeChat can also be used on Windows and Mac PCs. Also part of the Tencent family, WeChat can help you connect with global consumers in such places as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, and India. With multiple features, including web chat, message broadcasting, and video calling, WeChat just might be the powerful brand outreach tool you have been looking for in your efforts for global expansion.
Building an international brand is not a feat to be taken lightly. Between translation issues, international shipping, and accepted cultural practices, expanding your business in foreign lands comes with a steep learning curve. But if you’re up for the challenge of a deep dive into international business expansion, the rewards for your company can be life-changing. Do you think you’ll be integrating any of the above-listed global social networking platforms into your business’ customer acquisition plans?
