What You Should Know About Consumer Behavior on Social Media

If you haven’t delved into social media and consumer behavior in your industry, well, this is your wake-up call to do so. Don’t worry. We’ll tell you how and why you should pay attention!

What is Social Media Consumer Behavior?

Social media consumer behavior is basically how people act, react, and interact on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and the rest of the social media platforms. It’s not just about mindlessly scrolling; it’s about why, when, and how they engage with content.

An in-depth analysis reveals a staggering 5.04 billion social media users worldwide as of January 2024, making up 62.3 percent of the entire global population. In case you haven’t figured it out, your brand should be on social media.

Why is Consumer Behavior Important for Your Business

If you want success with your business, building your community is huge! Knowing your audience’s social media behavior is like having a secret weapon. Businesses can tailor their strategies, creating content that resonates and sparks genuine connections.

Knowing what your community (target demographic) is searching for, and where they go to do it, are key pieces of information. The times in which they are mostly online, how long they are there, and how interactive are they with content… all are important behaviors to know.

Being Where Your Customer Hangs Out

No one wants to throw a beach party in the mountains, right? Similarly, businesses need to be where their target consumers are hanging out. If your community loves Instagram stories, you better be there with captivating content. It’s about meeting them on their turf.

You may find that people who are interested in your content are living their best social lives in Facebook Groups. Well, then your content strategy needs to be creating useful information for that group.

How to Crack the Code of Consumer Behavior on Social Networks

We know this can be a lot. Using social media as a tool for your business is paramount. It shouldn’t be the only place your brand lives, you also need a website. 

However, having access to insights and analytics where your brand lives is where and how you can track consumer behavior.

Make a scheduled time each week to check the analytics of your social media platforms. You can track it on a spreadsheet to watch trends, or you can use the reports available on the platform.

It’s always a good idea to create trackable content. If you don’t have access to insights on a platform, and cannot track who is engaging with your content, you shouldn’t be there, or, you need help with your strategy.

Observing Consumers

Start by keenly watching your audience. What do they share? What memes make them laugh out loud!? It’s like learning their language.

What are their top searches? How long are they spending on the content you are creating? If you don’t know any of this, then you are wasting your time with the content you are putting out into the world.

Content that Clicks

Craft content that’s not just eye-catching but also speaks to their souls. It’s the difference between a generic post and a mic-drop moment.

You want authentic moments that show personality. That is what consumers care about from the accounts that they follow, and the accounts that will make them want to follow.

It used to be said that content consistency was the way to go. That is no longer the case. Yes, consistency is important, but quality reigns higher than quantity these days. That is the interesting thing about marketing. It is always changing.

Timing is Everything

​​​​​​​Ever tried telling a joke at the wrong time? It falls flat. Same with content. You have to read the room. Post when your audience is most active for maximum impact.

It may be convenient for you to post at 8 am. However, it may be that your community is already at work and not looking at social media. Analyze the trends of when your target demographic is most actively scrolling or engaged on social media.

Let Consumer Behavior in Social Media Guide You

In the realm of social media, understanding consumer behavior is your compass. If you are DIYing your social media game, go forth, decode the patterns, and create a social media strategy that not only survives but thrives!

Remember, it’s not about just being present; it’s about being present where it matters.

If you need some help with your social media strategy, we are here to help! Read the top reasons you should outsource your digital marketing or contact us! We’re a wave away!