Two popular video-sharing platforms—which is better suited to boost your business? Read on.
With the rise of social media platforms, like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, businesses have gained new opportunities to reach their potential customers. It’s important to note that Instagram and YouTube are not just for entertainment; they can be used as powerful tools for marketing and creating brand awareness. Many individuals already use YouTube, TikTok and more to earn money.
With the right strategy, businesses can create compelling content that will draw in their target audience, enabling them to reach more people than ever before. In addition, businesses can use Instagram and YouTube to showcase their products and services, allowing customers to learn about their offerings more easily. However, excelling on these platforms requires a decent investment of time, money and energy. So, if you’re struggling to decide which platform to prioritize for your business, fret not. We are here to help.
Overview: YouTube for businesses
YouTube was created in 2005 by three former PayPal employees: Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim. The website quickly became a popular platform for users to share and watch videos online. YouTube’s initial success was due to its free and easy-to-use service. It became the most popular video-sharing website in the world, and its business potential was quickly realized.
Companies and people have begun using YouTube to promote their products, services and brands. YouTube has now become a powerful marketing tool for businesses of all sizes. It is used to create engaging content, drive traffic to websites and increase brand awareness. It offers a variety of options for monetization, including advertising, subscriptions and sponsorships, making it a great resource for businesses to leverage for success.
What’s more? In 2021, users watched over a billion hours of YouTube videos every day. If that is not a testament to the platform’s popularity, we don’t know what is.
Overview: Instagram for businesses
Founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram has since grown to become one of the most popular and powerful social media platforms in the world. It offers businesses a great opportunity to reach their target audience and engage with them in a meaningful way.
The platform is designed to help businesses connect with their customers and build relationships. Companies can use a host of Instagram features to showcase their products and services, share stories and build a community around their brand. Reports show that Instagram Stories have a 50 per cent success rate in leading viewers to the company website. Additionally, about 70 per cent of users look to Instagram for their shopping needs.
Instagram also offers businesses the ability to target their customers based on their interests, location and other factors. Furthermore, businesses can use Instagram as a tool for customer support and marketing campaigns. By using sponsored posts or engaging in influencer marketing, businesses can create highly targeted campaigns that reach their desired audience and generate more leads and sales.
YouTube vs Instagram: Which is the better business tool?
Clearly, both platforms have a lot to offer. So, how do you make your pick? Well, at the outset, YouTube has the advantage of being more established. It also allows businesses to access analytics to track performance. However, Instagram has the advantage of being more visually appealing, and its users are more engaged with the content they see. Moreover, Instagram allows businesses to access a much larger audience with its global reach.
Plus, you must consider your target audience and their tastes. Instagram’s target audience is primarily aged between 18 and 34 years, with India and the U.S. being the largest advertising audiences for businesses on the platform. On the other hand, given YouTube’s long history, its target demographic is broader, with users typically ranging between 18 and 44 years of age. A brief look at its most watched videos—including the famous Baby Shark song and nursery rhymes—will tell you that the platform is very popular among young parents, too.
Ultimately, the choice between YouTube and Instagram for businesses depends on your goals. YouTube can be a great platform for creating and distributing content, while Instagram is better for connecting with customers and creating a loyal following. Both platforms offer unique advantages, so businesses need to evaluate their needs and decide which platform best fits their goals.
Considerations to make before choosing
When it comes to choosing between YouTube and Instagram for your business, it’s important to consider the tastes of your target audience. YouTube is great for video content, while Instagram is better for short, engaging visuals.
It’s also important to consider the type of content you want to produce. On YouTube, you can create longer, more complex videos. Yet, on Instagram, you’ll want to focus on quick, engaging content. You should also think about how much time and effort you’re willing to put into creating and maintaining a presence on each platform. YouTube requires more effort but can pay off big in the long run.
Ultimately, the best platform will depend on your budget, audience, and desired content.
Also read:
- YouTube vs TikTok: Which Platform Pays Its Creators Better?
- Is Being a YouTuber Still Lucrative?
- 5 Cool Instagram Features Marketers Must Try in 2023
Header Image by Unsplash; Design by author
