Social Media Roundup: 7 Apps to Boost Your Marketing Strategy This Year

Love it or hate it, social media is everywhere. According to a report by Statista, over 3.6 billion people were using social media worldwide in 2020, and that number is projected to increase to almost 4.41 billion in 2025. And in today’s ever-evolving digital world, new social media platforms are popping up daily.

So what does that mean as a marketer?

New social media presents marketers with the huge untapped potential to reach and engage with a wider audience that goes beyond the platforms that are already popular (think outside of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

Plus, finding that hot up-and-coming new social media platform to keep your business relevant gives marketers a unique opportunity to get ahead of the game before the competition starts to kick in.

Feeling a little overwhelmed with all your options to keep on your radar? 

No worries — there’s a lot to explore out there! Researching new apps that will benefit your marketing strategy takes time and effort.

Lucky for you, we’ve already done the research and discovered 7 new social media apps to consider when creating your social media marketing strategy this year:

1. Twitch

What is it? Twitch started primarily as a live-streaming space for gamers but is quickly becoming the go-to spot for all live-streaming content. The social media app supports building engaging communities around shared and streamable interests. The app receives almost 1.5 billion viewing hours and has about 5 million monthly broadcasters.

How do we use it? Tap into the power of live videos and streaming to increase brand awareness, target a specific audience, and incorporate influencer marketing campaigns.

*Pro-tip: If your business or client is looking to reach and engage with millennials and/or the Gen Z audience this is the app for you!

2. Elpha

What is it? Elpha is a social networking platform where women can go to support each other both professionally and personally. The app provides career and business opportunities, industry expert advice, opportunities to network, and provides a safe space to chat openly about professional and personal topics. Basically, women empowering women, and we are here for it.

How do we use it? Think LinkedIn, but exclusively for women. Although this app is targeted to a specific audience, there is so much potential to market your brand (or yourself) and organically engage with your female audience on this outlet.

3. Triller

What is it? Hot on the heels of TikTok, Triller is an AI-driven short-term video-making and social networking platform with over 23 million downloads. It’s also one of the five most downloaded video-sharing apps. 

How do we use it? Get creative and think outside the box to develop fun and engaging short visually appealing video content and influencer marketing partnerships. Recently, the app has gained popularity by hosting virtual pop-up events and contests for brands such as L’Oréal’s NYX Professional Makeup and Pepsi. 

4. Valence

What is it? Valence is a social networking site that connects and inspires Black professionals to create social and economic progress. Its goal is to help create a meaningful network for Black professionals that results in new opportunities for its members.

How do we use it? Similar to Elpha, Valence gives your business a unique and exclusive opportunity to diversify its reach with amazing Black talent (again, here for it). Maximize your reach by partnering with Valence to allow members to learn more about your business, culture, services, and job openings, etc.

5. Nextdoor

What is it? Nextdoor is a private social network exclusively for your neighborhood. Think of your local newspaper, but now online in a community forum setting. 

How do we use it? Nextdoor is the perfect space for hyperlocal engagement and if your marketing goal is local SEO content. It’s also a great space for local engagement for real estate or small business offerings. Users on the app can tag or mention businesses in posts, comment on business pages, and send personal messages.

*Pro-tip: It’s also a great place to pull research from designated locations and sip some local neighborhood tea. 

6. Houseparty

What is it? Houseparty is a group video messaging app that can host up to eight people in an online room. While this social media platform isn’t necessarily a new app (it launched in 2016), it recently climbed the app charts and continues to grow in popularity during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing age. 

How do we use it? This platform can be great for exclusive marketing events to engage with influencers and/or target audience members. The app also offers add-space opportunities. 

And last, but certainly not least

7. TikTok

What is it? Probably the only thing that had a good year in 2020. We know that you already know about the video lip-syncing app — but the truth is, TikTok is so explosive right now. And unless the U.S puts an official ban on the app, it’s only projected to grow in popularity in 2021. So if your business hasn’t jumped on the TikTok bandwagon, now is a good time to do so.

How do we use it? To put it simply, TikTok is the combination of Vine and Youtube, creating easily absorbable video content for everyone. If you can find your niche, you will thrive on this platform.

What are some new social media platforms you plan to try in 2021?