In April of 2017, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced a new social media app, called Infield Chatter. The new social networking app has been described as “Twitter, but for baseball” or “Instagram if you followed only baseball accounts”.
Today, there are six major social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Other contenders for the list include Snapchat and YouTube. All of these platforms have one thing in common: you can discuss almost any topic on them; with the exception of LinkedIn which tries to maintain a culture of professional and business-related posts only.
Therefore, people get together and form their own cliques or niches. But why are even more specialized sites popping up, and what’s there for marketers to tap into? We’ll cover that in today’s blog:
Why Are Niche Social Media Sites Important For Marketers?
Even though the MLB app appears to be inactive now, its initial release speaks to the wide world of niche social media platforms. This is an important landscape for marketers to understand because reaching these audiences could be crucial for cultivating customer loyalty and building brand equity. Today, newcomers to the social media space aren’t trying to be the new Facebook. Instead, they’re changing the game by providing something that can be much more useful and relevant, as both a consumer and as a marketer.
This may mean a smaller overall userbase, but arguably one that is far more engaged on a regular basis. Niche social media platforms provide a space for an online community to engage with like-minded users about a specific topic or industry. Here’s why you need to be paying attention:
Top Niche Social Media Platforms Today
Check out these niche social media sites for marketing inspiration and to keep up with what’s happening in the world of social media today.
1. Athlinks
A great platform to look into if you’re in the fitness industry, Athlinks is an app that stores all of your race times. Runners, cyclists, swimmers join a community of other athletes where results can be seen, shared and “cheered for,” users can set new goals and challenge friends.
2. Dribble
The “show and tell for designers” allows illustrators, web and graphic designers, typographers and other kinds of creatives showcase their work, process and projects. The community show their designs, inspire and get inspired, ask questions and, most importantly, get hired. It’s the place to be if you’re in the design field.
3. Dpadd
Gaming is one of the most popular industries in the world. On Dpadd, gamers can get together, keep a gaming journal, a “to-play” list, follow friends and industry professionals, and more. 4. Snooth
Drinking alone? You won’t have to with this wine lover’s social network. This community is the wine lover’s dream, providing you with the latest and greatest for up-to-the-minute wine news and selections.
5. The Flipping
Pad The community for Real Estate professionals. If you’re looking to start somewhere with your Real Estate, house-flipping education, look no further than the forums and network of Flipping Pad.
6. Stachepassions
More on the fun side of life, Stachepassions is a site for the moustache-lovers of the world. It’s also a dating site. Got a ‘stache thing? This site is for you.
7. Discord
Inching its way into the mainstream, Discord is still a fringe social media platform that marketers are just beginning to utilize. The app allows users to create “servers” with various themed chat rooms. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people and be part of a community. If you’re looking to increase audience engagement, position yourself as an expert, take your social media presence up a notch and improve your conversion rates and sales, then niche social media platforms may be for you.
If you’re a large corporation, consider creating your own (like Tumblr has done). Otherwise jump on some of the existing platforms that are industry-specific. For more information on all things social – contact the Meltwater team today or fill out the form below to request a demo of our social listening and management tools.
