types of social media presentation

However, to compete with TikTok, Instagram has shifted away from being a photo-sharing app.

In fact, Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri clarified in 2021 , “We're no longer a photo-sharing app or a square photo-sharing app.”

While users can still post photos on Instagram, the platform mainly promotes reels and video stories. It's also worth mentioning that Instagram video posts are more than twice as likely to generate engagement than image posts.

Like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels is a great platform for posting short-form content like product demos and explainers. However, YouTube, as a whole, still allows long-form video while Instagram does not.

I‘m going to revisit TikTok again later in this post because it also falls under another category of social media platforms, however, it is still a video-sharing channel.

What I love about TikTok in regards to marketing is that it’s a very diverse app with many marketing opportunities.

Yes, you can post short-form demos and explainers like on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, but TikTok has more opportunities to build community with your audience.

This because the app is a breeding ground for new viral trends any can take part in, and the app provides many ways for audiences to interact via liking, commenting, stitching, and repurposing sounds (the latter two really help the app stand out).

But we‘ll dive inter TikTok’s interactive opportunities in the next section.

• Regarding YouTube, v ideos can be longer than on other social platforms .
• All platforms have website linking capabilities .
• Platforms like YouTube , TikTok, and Instagram often offer analytics.
• YouTube has search optimization features.
• Video content, particularly long-form, might take more time and money to create.
• Vimeo and YouTube require more backend tasks like SEO .
• Instagram does not have longform video capabilities
• TikTok appeals to a younger audience known to distrust brands, so you will likely have to invest in influencer marketing to gain traction on the platform.
• Snapchat : 229 daily active users
• TikTok : 100 million monthly active users in the U.S. alone

Apps like Snapchat and TikTok allow users to share photos and videos and have various unique interactive and highly experimental features.

These two apps include AR/VR filters, musical overlays, and interactive games. Their audience bases are also predominantly Gen-Z.

Brands with large followings might consider publishing Snapchat Stories or videos curated by fans.

Without a high-budget or giant online following, it might be difficult for a company just starting out on social media to leverage Snapchat.

Brands and influencers on Snapchat tend to cater their content to the platforms’ younger audiences. For example, on Snapchat, you might see stories that present beauty tutorials, wellness tips, news, or trendy new products.

If you’re interested in interactive media, there are still a few viable ways you could get involved with Snapchat.

While major brands, like VICE and BuzzFeed , have become Snapchat Discover partners, the average business can still create a Snapchat business account that users can search for and friend.

This account allows you to publish temporary stories like individual accounts. However, those with a business account can also purchase ad space .

If you’ve set up an account, check out this guide to getting started on Snapchat .

When TikTok first rose to prominence in 2020, it mainly an app-based platform catering to a Gen Z market that wanted little to do with brands.

Since then, TikTok has grown to shift its focus to some longer-form content, and brands are much more aware of how to leverage the channel.

In fact, about a quarter of marketers in our Social Media Marketing survey say TikTok yields the highest ROI compared to other social media platforms.

The key to TikTok is to invest in influencer and creator marketing. Build a partnership with a creator who aligns with your brand's values and can introduce your products and services to their audience.

• These platforms are very creative and experimental.
• They have young audiences, which can help brands better target Gen-Z.
• Producing regular content could be expensive and time-consuming.
• Business accounts aren’t promoted up-front on the Snapchat interface. You may want to promote your channel on your website or other social channels because users must search for you with your Snapcode or username .
• Snapchat is limited to mobile and isn't as easy to use as other platforms.
• You will most likely have to invest in influencer marketing to gain traction on TikTok, and finding a creator aligned with your business may be difficult.

Pro-Tip: You should try to correctly estimate the time and money that might go into keeping these accounts up-to-date and relevant.

If you're unsure how short video ads can benefit your business, remember that short-form videos have the highest ROI compared to other video formats.

Blogging/Community

Tumblr and Reddit allow users to post about exciting niche topics, like memes, events, politics, and pop culture.

When users publish a post, these platforms allow others to share it or add it to the conversation with their commentary.

Both blogging and community-building platforms could be helpful to those who want to encourage discussion around very niche industries or topics.

For example, on these platforms, you might see discussions about anything from alternative health to machine learning .

By blogging, you can write posts about your company’s industry topics and link them to your product or site.

While many people have a blog on their website, platforms like Tumblr might be great to use if you haven’t set this feature up -- or just want to see what others in your industry are blogging about.

With a discussion site like Reddit, you could share a link or a post about a specific topic on a discussion board related to your industry and see how users respond.

You could also start your board if a topic you’re looking to encourage discussion on doesn’t have one yet.

These two platforms specifically encourage web chatter and post shares from users who care about the same topics.

Both also allow users to follow you or subscribe to your blogs or Reddit boards so your content can appear on their feeds. Here’s an example of what Reddit’s feed looks like.

Other users can up-vote or down-vote when someone publishes something on Reddit. Up-voting makes a post show up higher in Reddit feeds, while down-voting does the opposite.

On Tumblr, the feeds are organized by time. However, a post can show up higher when it is re-shared by other users. When a user shares or interacts with your Tumblr content, they give it a note .

When they reshare , they can post a comment with the post that gets added to a thread.

Here’s an example of how notes and threads can be used to encourage discussion:

• Both platforms allow you to share text posts, photos, and videos about your business, brand, or individual thoughts.
• These platforms enable you to start conversations about a topic.
• Both platforms allow linking to outside websites.
• Longer blog posts might take time to craft or write.
• Getting downvoted on Reddit or having no reaction from Tumblr users means your posts may go unseen.
• Your audience might be too niche or limited to just those on the specific platform you use.

Microblogging

• Threads: 130 million monthly active users
• X: 528.3 million monthly active users

Microblogging refers to posting short blogs that are meant for quick audience interaction. Both Threads and X fall under this category as they allow users to post blog content with very limited character counts.

For years, companies have used X to post quick updates regarding their products and services or to engage with their audience in a humorous or relatable way. For example, Wendy's will often post content like below to humrously entice their audience.

Don't forget to share this post!

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• Social Media Content

9 popular types of social media content to grow your brand

Learn everything you need to know about social media content through this guide to craft a winning strategy aligned with your brand’s voice and audience preferences.

Reading time  16 minutes

Published on  March 7, 2023

Table of Contents

• Content forms the core of social media strategy. It influences and shapes brands' initial and lasting impressions.
• Knowledge of the most effective content types for each platform is essential for engagement and connection. Understanding the most effective content types for each platform is vital to a successful social media content strategy.
• The top engaging social media content types, ordered by popularity, are short-form video, images, live video, GIFs/memes, text-based posts and user-generated content—to name a few.

Content is at the heart of every social strategy . It’s how brands make their first and long-lasting impressions on social media. And it’s with content that brands communicate and connect with new and loyal customers alike.

That's why it's important to know what to post on each social media platform . So in this article, we’ll share the nine most valuable types of social media content according to marketers and how brands are using these formats to strike a chord with audiences.

The most engaging types of social media content in 2023

Keeping up with the latest in social media is a difficult task with all the different platforms, features and algorithms. That's why we created The 2023 Content Benchmarks Report to help you identify the most valuable types of social media content.

In this report, we collected data from 729,000 public social profiles in 2022. Then, we analyzed trends to derive what types of social media content will inspire your audience and make them more likely to engage with your brand. Let’s take a look at which formats are most engaging.

1. Short-form video

Short-form videos are the most captivating type of social media content thanks to their capacity to break down and present information in less than one minute. Plus, the length makes it more shareable and ideal for social media.

You’re facing an audience that’s busier than ever. People are looking for immediate gratification with fast and entertaining content they can consume on the way. So a 15-minute video seems impractical when a one-minute video can do the job just as well.

Why short-form video works on social

About 66% of consumers find short-form videos the most engaging out of any other social media post types. And before you say it’s because bigger brands have the resources to produce high-end videos, the truth is successful videos don’t require unlimited time, resources or heavy editing.

According to our research, consumers find short-form videos 2.5x more engaging than long-form videos. So humor and relatability are enough to draw people to your brand. In fact, The 2023 Sprout Social Index ™ found that consumers don't see enough authentic, non-promotional content from brands.

Additionally, short-form videos are perfect for different types of social media post ideas . From highlighting how to use your product or service to influencer collaborations and behind-the-scenes content.

Best social media platforms for short-form video

The popularity of TikTok videos, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts is evidence of their effectiveness when it comes to short-form video.

Both TikTok and Instagram have a variety of tools that help create short-form videos for free. You can record a few shots, add a soundtrack, use a filter and follow popular social media trends . Additionally, you can promote your content with native ad campaigns.

Even though YouTube Shorts are a recent feature from YouTube, they have become increasingly popular with 15 billion global daily views .

4 use cases of short-form video from Last Crumb

Last Crumb is a small business born in LA that bakes luxury handmade cookies. This brand stands out for using sassy language and an almost seductive tone to reach its audience.

Last Crumb uses short-form videos on TikTok and Instagram to encourage their audience to crave their cookies with:

• Content relating their cookies to popular holiday celebrations. Last Crumb uses their holiday-themed videos to hop on relevant trends and conversations, prompting their audience to share their content with friends and allowing the brand to reach a wider audience.
• Influencer collaborations to taste-test their cookies. In these videos, influencers unbox the luxury package and eat the cookies. This tactic leverages influencers’ loyal followings to generate interest within an untapped audience with "reviews" people trust.
• Last Crumb's destruction collection, in which the brand destroys their extravagant cookies, merge "demos" with entertaining content to show the delicious texture of the cookies to keep people watching and drive engagement.
• Last Crumb’s sandwich collection shows how you can make different luxury ice cream sandwiches with their cookies. This helps them stay connected with their customers by sharing recipes they might want to try the next time they order cookies.

Images are the second most valuable type of content out of the nine popular social media content categories. They’re also one of the types of social media most frequently posted across social networks.

Static images are absorbed and appreciated in an instant. The colors, composition, text (or lack of it) and other details give social users an immediate impression of your brand.

Why images work on social

Amongst the types of social media content, 61% of consumers find images the most engaging type of in-feed social content. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather look at a picture than read a thousand words.

Since mobile devices are equipped with high-definition cameras, and there are many free editing tools, anyone can embrace their inner photographer and graphic designer. This means social media marketers can create images for their content strategy without enlisting a ton of resources.

Best social media platforms for images

Instagram and Pinterest are platforms that naturally lend themselves to images. These social media platforms have unique advantages to leverage your visuals like filters, effects and editing.

Instagram started as an image-sharing platform and even though it has evolved to be much more, its content is still made of 87% images .

When consumers go to Pinterest, they’re looking for inspiration and creativity. In fact, 97% of all searches on the platform are unbranded, creating the perfect environment for audiences to discover your brand and spark their interest in a future purchase.

As a bonus, both platforms have social commerce features that allow you to tag products, transforming images into “shoppable” content.

3 use cases for image posts from Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma is known for its kitchenware, home furnishing and gourmet foods. It maintains a strong following, clear reputable brand identity and “shoppable” feeds across social platforms. They achieve that with sumptuous, vibrant images in the following ways:

• Williams Sonoma uses top Pinterest trends to create Pins and carousels with colorful dishes and recipes. These images catch the eye of their target audience, enticing clicks to learn more about how to make the dish, which drives engagement and traffic to their website.
• They support the full shopping experience on Instagram using eye-candy imagery and product tags. Thanks to these, consumers can get the product they like with a few taps, reducing friction to the final purchase.
• Across platforms, they leverage their organic presence by using captions to enhance their image content and CTAs to their blog or online store to continue the buying journey.

3. Live video

The ongoing digital transformation has left businesses thinking differently about how they can engage with customers in real time. In 2020, Live video came out as a winner during the pandemic with live video viewers reaching 152.5 million (20.4% more than in 2019).

Why live video works on social

37% of consumers find live video the most engaging type of social media content. It enables businesses and creators to broadcast conversations, webinars, Q&As or other virtual events. And unlike text or image posts , where you wait for an interaction, live videos give audiences a chance to react in real time.

Live and simultaneous viewing also gives people a sense of community and togetherness. What’s even better is you can repurpose your livestream video to get more value from the content. For example, you could create multiple shorts or text snippets from your livestream for posts on other networks.

Best social media platforms for live video

Many platforms have livestream capabilities, but the best ones are Facebook Live, Instagram Live, YouTube Live and LinkedIn Live.

YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn Live experienced a boom during the pandemic. YouTube and Facebook Live acted as entertainment for people. While LinkedIn Live allowed brands to reach and communicate with a professional network. On average, LinkedIn live videos get 7x more reactions than native videos.

According to Statista, 43% of US social media users aged 18-34 watched Instagram Live in 2021. That’s in part because the platform is designed to better your chances of followers joining you. When you go live on Instagram, your Live content appears at the beginning of Instagram stories.

How BuzzFeed uses live video to spark interest

BuzzFeed is a news and entertainment company that talks about viral topics. One of its branches, BuzzFeed Video, produces original video content about their articles.

From trying viral TikTok products to, home decor andor easy meal preps, BuzzFeed Video attracts a wide audience around pop culture. They use Facebook Live to bring their blog content to life and be part of the conversation on social. Jumping on viral trends or speaking directly to their audience’s interests enables them to stay relevant in real time and be an entertaining source of information that makes you want to come back for more.

4. GIFs/memes

GIFS and memes are a particular type of social media content favored by younger generations. When words can’t describe the mix of gestures and feelings we all relate to at some point, memes can add meaning to these situations.

These types of social media content assure your audience gets the message and helps your brand relate to your audience through comedic takes on daily life.

Why GIFs and memes work on social

Besides the fact that they’re shareable and enjoyable, their relatability makes it almost personalized content. Something that 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver.

When people see personalized content, their immediate response may be to interact with it and share it with friends. That’s how memes become viral if they’re used with the right audience.

GIFs can have the same effect but are more dynamic due to their animated feature. This makes them an excellent way to start conversations with more than words and still leave an impression.

Best social media platforms for GIFs and memes

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are ideal to post memes. But for GIFs, we recommend Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. If you post a GIF on Instagram, it will be added as a short video.

Memes drive engagement, that's why Instagram users share over one million memes daily . They also drive traffic, as proved by a study from Social Media Today. They posted memes on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for a month, which increased their website traffic by 12%.

In the case of GIFs, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have special features for sharing this type of content. Twitter and LinkedIn make it as easy as tapping on the "GIF" icon and selecting the GIF you want to share. And Facebook's boomerang feature allows you to capture moments in a loop so you can create your own GIFs.

How ProWritingAid uses GIFs/memes to connect with their audience

ProWritingAid is an AI writing assistant software that corrects your grammar and style with automated suggestions. If you go to their Instagram profile, you’ll notice that their most engaging posts are memes from writers for writers.

They use memes to convey their audience’s common tasks, like finishing a book outline, the struggles that come with it and wholesome messages. This relatable content builds relationships with their audience by speaking to their pain points, while still providing comedic relief.

5. Text-based posts

It’s important for businesses to prioritize visual content, but they shouldn’t lose sight of the power of words. What’s more, 32% of consumers say text-based posts are still one of the most engaging types of social media content.

Written content needs the same attention, consistency and creative elements that you give other content formats. But developing a distinctive brand tone and voice that aligns with your visual identity will help your written content stand out from the crowded social chatter.

Why text-based posts work on social

According to our index, 34% of consumers follow their favorite brands on social to see the brand’s personality. And the most direct way to give that to your customers is with text posts.

Short-form video is reigning and an image is worth a thousand words. But that doesn’t mean text-based content is redundant. And that’s especially true for social media, where text-based content can be valuable for starting conversations that help you get to know your customers better.

Best social media platforms for text-based posts

Reddit, Twitter and LinkedIn are top-of-mind for text-based posts in the social media content categories.

Reddit is a great platform to engage in Q&As and get conversational with your fans. While LinkedIn is perfect to share thought leadership, articles and engage with your professional network.

Still, Twitter is by far the most popular platform for text-based posts. It's perfect to share digestible bits of information, ideas and news. That's why it's always buzzing with conversations. And engaging in conversations that interest your audience can help you widen your reach and build a community.

4 use cases of text-based content from McDonald's

McDonald’s is one of the most successful fast-food chains with millions of customers served each day. On Twitter, the brand uses text posts to communicate with fans in a relatable, casual and humorous voice that brings the brand down to earth. Specifically, they use these types of text posts to define their brand values and start conversations:

• Asking their fans questions and encouraging them to engage in fun trends.
• They don’t just post, wait for engagement and leave it at that. The brand addresses nearly every response they get.
• McDonald’s cross-promotes their text tweets and repurposes them on other social platforms using graphic elements.

These examples show how McDonald's uses text-based content as a way of building a community and engaging with them. Plus, this makes customers perceive the brand as approachable which builds trust.

6. User-generated content

User-generated content (UGC) is content created by fans, consumers or users that brands repurpose for their feed. When consumers create content showcasing your products, they’re essentially giving you social proof and testimonials.

UGC has opened the doors for brands to reach a wider audience as people enjoy being part of a community. Also, UGC shows real-life uses of your products or services, which makes your followers more willing to try them.

Why user-generated content works on social

Of all the types of social media content, UGC is the most trustworthy . Consumers want to see real customers showing their experiences with your brand.

According to our 2023 content benchmark report, around 39% of consumers like to see testimonials or customer demos from the brands they follow on social because that’s the type of content they consider authentic. This creates trust, which ultimately affects the decision of 58% of consumers to pick a brand over a competitor, according to our Index data.

Also, you can take advantage of UGC to maximize your budget while reaching more consumers. When a user tries your product and posts about it, their followers may want to try it and post about it as well. This creates a chain reaction in which you reach the followers of your followers. Yet, over 93% of marketers aren't using the full power of UGC, so there's a lot of opportunity with this type of content.

Best social media platforms for user-generated content

Instagram and TikTok are the go-to social media platforms to find user-generated content. This is because both are highly effective for visual content, especially short-form videos. And since video content is best for showcasing a product over text or static images, 79% of marketers are willing to invest more in video leveraging authentic content (UGC) in 2023 according to the SOUGC report.

How L’Oreal Paris USA leverages UGC content with TikTok

L’Oreal Paris is a cosmetic brand that empowers women through beauty. They launched a TikTok contest to win $25,000 in which TikTokers had to upload a 15-second video showcasing their new telescopic lift mascara.

This tactic generated tons of UGC videos that fueled their brand awareness. Also, their mascara went viral on TikTok, promoting more sales. And they got lots of product demos for future campaigns.

7. Long-form video

Long-form video is the type of social media content you look for when you want educational and informative videos. Even though short-form videos are the most popular type of content, they lack the depth you crave when you’re genuinely interested in a topic. While videos that last longer are packed with information that builds authority.

Why long-form video works on social

Long-form videos are great for developing relationships with your audience. What's more, 24% of consumers report long-form video content as the most engaging type of social media content.

Also, long-form videos are one of the best types of social media content to share educational topics. In fact, 93% of viewers use YouTube for educational purposes, and as of March 2021, users spent an average of 29 minutes and 36 seconds per visit .

Best social media platforms for long-form video

YouTube and Facebook are the most popular platforms for long-form content.

When you think about long videos, your mind naturally drifts to the giant online video-sharing platform we know as YouTube. And with good reason, as YouTube is designed to share videos of all lengths and keep people watching.

It's also important to note that 71% and 51% of consumers expect to use Facebook and YouTube (respectively) more in 2023, according to our Index data.

How TED uses long-form video to connect with its audience

TED Talks discuss specific topics that move the world. Speakers present “Ideas Worth Spreading” from innovative research in their fields hoping to ignite imagination and give space to possibility.

TED’s long-form video content has become a worldwide phenomenon because the ideas click with people, giving them a feeling of belonging and community. But how does TED keep people interested in a 10+ minute video?

Because of storytelling!

The script of every TED Talk is packed with knowledge and information, but also strategic rhetorical questions, pauses and a bit of humor. The talks are meant to be stories that draw the listener in. So it’s all about how you present this information. YouTube creates the perfect space for this as it enables TED Talks to appeal to their audience through education and entertainment.

Social audio is about using your voice rather than comments, emojis or reactions to communicate. You record yourself talking about hot topics or experiences you think will interest your audience.

And the single best format for this type of social media content is podcasts.

Why audio content works on social

Around 32% of people in the US put their headphones on and listened to podcasts while in the car in 2022. A smart way of learning something new and passing the time when you need your eyes on the road. And sometimes people want information without the commitment of being in front of a screen for an hour.

Even though podcasts have at least a basic outline to plan their episode, most of the talking, expressions or personalities are genuine. This allows listeners to connect with the host, but the quality of the content is also important to prompt your audience to hear the next episode.

Best social media platforms for audio

Podcasts are best found in libraries like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be repurposed to fit your social media networks.

TikTok and YouTube are great platforms for podcasts as they can play long audio recordings, just like they do with video. You just need to add an image or film the recording of your podcast.

2 use cases of audio content from HerFirst100k

HerFirst100k strives to give women financial education and create a supportive community that thrives. Their podcast, The Financial Feminist, aligns with their financial freedom and community goals. Here's how they repurposed their podcast on their social to achieve more visibility:

• TikTok teaser videos that increase their reach and promote their podcast to get more subscribers.
• YouTube gives HerFirst100k a chance to address questions important to their audience on a platform they frequent. Also, it expands its reach beyond podcasting platforms by increasing their visibility on one of the popular search engines.

9. URL/links to other content

Using links helps you bring more followers to your website or other content. As the links are in your social media posts, it gives your audience easy access to content of interest and extends their experience with your brand.

URLs allow your brand to share more details, or go beyond the limits of character count within a social media platform with a single click.

Why URL/links to other content work on social

If you put a link in your social media posts to respective content on your website, you’re creating more opportunity to drive traffic to your site.

What’s more, when you promote a new product or service on social media, a link to the checkout or pricing page can help drive sales. It also reduces friction to purchase by making it easy to go from one platform to the next.

Best social media platforms for URL/link to other content

The best social media platforms for URL/links to other content are LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. On these platforms, linking to other content is as easy as including the link in the character field and posting it.

Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter emphasize your links by showing a thumbnail image in your posts. For Pinterest, the process is similar, but you can customize the thumbnail image by uploading an image, titling your pin and adding a description.

3 use cases of URL content from Sprout Social

Sprout Social uses specific platforms to expand the reach of their website content. They meet people where they're at in the format they want to consume it. Here are three types of URL content Sprout Social uses:

Find the types of social media content that work for your audience

Thanks to all these types of social media content, there are multiple ways for you to express your brand voice and make meaningful connections. And while best practices are a good starting point, your audience and brand are unique, so you need to find what works best for both.

Discover what type of content your brand should use on social media by taking our social media content mix quiz to find the ideal fit.

Additional resources for Social Media Content

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Always up-to-date guide to social media image sizes

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Create a B2B Content Plan for Social Media [Free Worksheet]

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Sprout Social helps you understand and reach your audience, engage your community and measure performance with the only all-in-one social media management platform built for connection.

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The 7 different types of social media.

• 21 Mar 2018

What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think “social media?”

Chances are, it’s one of the big four social media networking sites: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. (Or, since social media moves so fast, there might be a new kid on the block before we even publish this post.)

It makes sense that you’d think of these networks first.

A colossal social media network like Facebook attracts  billions of people every day . It’s an important part of the marketing strategy for many businesses.

But social media sites like  Facebook  only represent one of the many types of social networking platforms. We’ll show you the seven different types of social media and how each one can play an important role for you and your business.

(And when we’re done here, head over to  Biteable  to make an attention-grabbing video to post one those sites. Start your free trial today and make your first video in minutes.)

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1. Traditional social networking sites

Most of us are familiar with social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. These platforms help us connect with friends, family, and brands. They encourage knowledge-sharing and are all about personal, human-to-human interaction.

A social networking site is a Jill of all trades. Users can share thoughts, curate content, upload photos and videos, form groups based on interests, and participate in lively discussions. They’re built around the user and everything that’s important to them and their social circles.

Also, they help us to  measure the social media ROI  which helps us in planning an effective marketing strategy.

So how can this type of traditional social networking site help your business?

Reach a target audience through ads

These platforms cultivate large, diverse communities. Advertisers can rent permission to interact with people based on specific targeting metrics. For instance, an advertiser who wants to reach a predominantly young crowd could  advertise on an app like Snapchat  while those who want to reach a professional user may find LinkedIn more appropriate.

Because these platforms are incredibly data-rich, you can reach a lot of the right people without blowing your entire ad budget.

Engage with followers, find like-minded customers or potential business partners through  hashtags  and groups, and build connections.

Social networking platforms are a great place for digging up customer research and using social listening tools to track conversations around specific terms. This can help you understand (and serve) your audience better.

2. Social review sites

What’s one of the first things you do when planning a trip or buying a new product? If you’re anything like us, you’ll head straight to the reviews.

Review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor display reviews from community members for all sorts of locations and experiences. This eliminates a lot of the guesswork that goes into booking a restaurant or hotel. Not sure it’s the right thing for you? Check out the reviews and you’ll know.

Businesses can really benefit from studying their reviews, the good and the bad. It helps them:

Understand the customer’s perspective

Reviews tell you about the customer experience from their own point of view. Use this to identify what’s working and discover areas with room for improvement.

Solve problems

Reviews are an opportunity to engage with reviewers and solve any potential challenges before they become a huge deal.

3. Image and video sharing sites

Visual content like images, infographics, and illustrations capture our hearts, eyes and imaginations. Social media platforms like Instagram, Imgur, and Snapchat are designed to amplify the power of image sharing. (Or these days, video sharing.)

Users create, curate, and share unique content that sparks conversation and speaks for itself. A picture or video can be worth a thousand words to your business. Use these sites to:

Encourage user-generated content

Content sharing sites are a gift for photogenic businesses. You can run campaigns encouraging users to snap and share a pic or video with your product and a unique hashtag.

Create inspiration

By creating, curating, and sharing your own content, you can inspire and engage users, bonding over a shared interest.

4. Video hosting sites

YouTube revolutionized the way we watch, create, and think about video. It transformed the medium into something accessible. Recent improvements in tech and connectivity helped video go the rest of the way.

Video hosting platforms like YouTube and Vimeo help creators put together content and share it to a platform optimized for streaming. This accessibility makes video a super important medium.

Use video hosting sites to:

Share phenomenal content

Yes. This point is a bit obvious, but creators can use YouTube to build communities and get their content out there.

YouTube’s comment section offers plenty of opportunities to get to know the people watching your content.

5. Community blogs

Sometimes an image or post isn’t complex enough for the message you’ve got to share, but not everyone on the internet wants to run a blog from a self-hosted website. That’s a lot of work.

Shared blogging platforms like Medium and Tumblr give people a space to express their thoughts and help connect them with readers.

These community blog sites provide an audience while allowing plenty of room for customization and self expression. Use them to:

Develop your voice

Starting a blog can be daunting. Use platforms like Medium and Tumblr to find your voice, get some readers, and get clear about your vision.

Syndicate content

If you do have a blog, you can use community blogging platforms to share, re-purpose, and re-post older content and expose it to a new audience.

6. Discussion sites

While most of us have seen many a heated discussion happen on Facebook, discussion sites like Reddit and Quora are specifically designed to spark a conversation.

Anyone is free to ask a question or make a statement, and this attracts people with shared interests and curiosities. However, unlike Facebook and Instagram, users tend to give out less identifiable information. Anonymity is powerful when it comes to people opening up and getting real.

So how can these platforms help your business?

Reddit is made up of different sub-communities. With a bit of research, you can find and engage people in your field, discover what they’re asking, and use this as a starting point for your content marketing strategy.

Answer questions

Quora users ask all sorts of questions. Answering them can help establish you as a thought leader and drive more traffic to your site.

7. Sharing economy networks

Sites like Airbnb and Rover aren’t just a cool place to find cheap holiday rentals or a pet sitter. Sharing economy networks bring people who’ve got something they want to share together with the people who need it.

These communities provide opportunities that won’t exist otherwise by pooling resources on a large scale that wouldn’t be possible without tech.

Finding the type of social media network that’s right for you

Social media  comes in many different flavors. You can use most of these types of social networking sites to help your business, one way or another.

Keep these points in mind as you decide which types of social networking to pursue:

• Before you post, get clear about what you want to achieve.
• Think creatively and don’t be afraid to step outside the box.
• Always keep it human.

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5 Types of Social Media: Explained with Use Cases

September 25, 2023   •   9 min read

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But it is also so much more than that. 

Whether you run a small local shop or a big national company, social media not only has the power to amplify your brand image but also influence your marketing and sales funnels. From building brand authority and reputation to impacting product development and customer interaction, social media is the tool for you. 

The only catch — you should and must know how to use it.  

Today, we’ll be exploring and helping you understand the different types of social media, along with 5 successful marketing use cases. And by the end of the article, you’ll have a good idea of how to strategize your social media game. 

So, let's begin with the basics.

• What is social media?

What are the different types of social media?

What are their marketing use cases, reasons to improve your social media marketing strategy, .css-1qemmfx{font-weight:700;} what is social media.

Social media is a collective term for websites and applications that share ideas and information through virtual networks. It facilitates communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration. 

Various platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, allow people to share content, interact online and build communities.

The main aspect that differentiates social media platforms is the type of content that’s on them. With that said, let’s take a closer look at the various types of social media.

1. Social networking sites

Social networking sites are mainly used to connect with people you may or may not know. They focus more on person-to-person conversations and knowledge-sharing. These platforms are considered the center of communication and accommodate different content formats, like text, photos and videos. 

These sites allow users and businesses to:

Create and share content and thoughts with groups that have similar interests

Promote products and services and reach a wider and more diverse audience with advertisements

Reach and influence the right people with specific metrics and demographics by using an immense amount of data

Examples of social networking platforms:

X (formerly Twitter) 

2. Image-based sites

You might have heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, image-based sites are bringing this phrase to life by allowing users to share content in the form of infographics, illustrations and images. 

These platforms inspire creativity. Businesses can encourage their audience to generate unique content to engage with their brand while boosting sales through shoppable posts and images. 

Some sites like Instagram and Pinterest allow business accounts to post images linked to their shoppable items. These usually pop up in the feed with a shopping link and users can proceed to the merchant store to complete their transaction. 

Image-based sites are great for businesses dealing in apparel, handicrafts, accessories and similar products. 

Here are some popular image-sharing networks:

Photobucket

3. Video-hosting platforms

People usually search for all kinds of things in video content, including “how-tos” and “tutorials.” As a brand, you can leverage these platforms to impart information, promote a new product, answer questions or announce new features and packages. 

Brands can also use paid ads to reach new customers or collaborate with influencers to promote their products. Also, if you don’t have a page, profile or social media channel dedicated to your business, you can still advertise on these platforms.

Here are some well-known video-hosting platforms:

4. Discussion forums

Discussion forums are essential platforms that encourage users to answer each other’s questions and share new ideas and news. They’re designed to spark conversations based on shared interests or curiosity.

Businesses can use these platforms to better understand how people perceive their brand and products. You can also start by answering questions correctly to increase your credibility on these forums. This could lead to increased visits to your business or product website. The selection of the right questions to answer is vital here, as it is a chance for you to introduce your products and services without looking like you’re directly advertising.

Some of the most-visited discussion forums are:

5. Blog and community platforms

Blogging platforms are a great way to provide valuable and educational insights that could be related to your product or business. This way, you’ll be informing your audience about specific problems and their solutions as an expert, and you can ultimately position your product as the better way to go. 

What’s more, when relevant and helpful, your blogs can drive more traffic to your website. You can post blogs about using your product creatively or discuss the trending topics in your industry or niche. All of this will also help in building a community around your brand. 

Here are some of the renowned blogging and publishing networks:

Now, let's go through some of the most successful use cases for each of the types of social media we covered. 

1. Social networking sites: Shopify’s iconic “get your hands dirty” ad on Facebook  

Shopify is a user-friendly e-commerce platform that encourages and enables small businesses to build an online store and sell online through one streamlined dashboard. The key idea of Shopify is to offer a platform to anybody interested in selling stuff but is unable to do so due to the lack of the right tool.

It created a beautiful, simple and encouraging advertisement for Facebook that urged audiences to turn their hobbies into businesses.

What worked for Shopify?

A thought-provoking picture encouraging artists to embrace their inner passion and turn it into a business

Simple, clear and concise copy that complements the picture

A clear CTA

2. Image-based site: Adidas Neo’s exposure campaign with #MyNeoShoot on Instagram

One of the easiest ways to draw attention via Instagram marketing is through sponsored advertisement campaigns. Brands can collaborate with popular influencers to bring in views and engagement.

Adidas went a step further with their promotions by not spending a single dime.

Here's how.

It asked its followers to publish Adidas-inspired posts on Instagram and share their own experiences. It worked like magic and generated more than 71,000 mentions that had the hashtag #MyNeoShoot, and the brand ended up gaining more than 41,000 followers.

What worked for Adidas?

Making the audience feel valued, heard and important

Brilliant use of social engagement

Relating the brand to stories and personal experiences

3. Video sharing and streaming platform: Slack’s relatable and innovative video ad on YouTube

Given that the average attention span of an individual nowadays is about 8 seconds , it makes sense to explore and try video advertising for your brand.  

Here are some more statistics that will help you gauge the effectiveness of video advertising in the current business landscape:

Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to just 10% when they’re reading plain text

68% of consumers prefer watching videos instead of going through articles, infographics, ebooks and presentations when they’re trying to learn about new products or services

Here’s a Slack video ad so you get an indea of what successful video marketing content looks like.

What worked for Slack?

Employing a relatable storyline that tells how “all kinds of people on all kinds of teams use Slack to do amazing things”

Using playful animations (like that of a “Minions” movie) makes the video more enjoyable

Highlighting the benefits of Slack for team communication and collaboration

Voiceover at the end aligns with the Slack brand, which is casual, friendly and approachable

4. Discussion forums: Beardbrand’s ready answers on Reddit

Beardbrand is an online company dealing in haircare products, specifically for beards. Its product line includes softeners, scented oils, trimmers, scissors and more.    Its took its marketing efforts to the r/beards subreddit forum. It browsed the forum and found a common topic in many users' questions — beard oil. 

Then, it started answering all the questions and sharing its journey.

It began posting short, bulleted lists and informative explanations on Reddit.

Beardbrand also took the initiative to interact with people’s comments. It was always there with an answer when users asked about the application, chemical makeup, etc.

What worked for Beardbrand?

A focused and well-researched strategy

Building credibility and brand reputation by answering questions and sharing informative content

Constant communication to stay visible

5. Blogs and community platforms: Vans embracing its rebellious and youthful spirit on Tumblr

Vans is a famous shoe brand known for tapping into its cultural heritage and providing a social experience that is aspirational, inspirational and nostalgic.

The brand uses social media as a mutually beneficial exchange, where the brand defines the community, and the community defines the brand. The best way to establish this is by creating an awesome Tumblr.

Vans used high-quality and creative images representing the lifestyle of its audience and the brand.

What worked for Vans?

Vans' smart research to discover where its audience hangs out and the lifestyle it indulges in

Relatable and shareable content for the audience

Embracing the rebellious, communal and youthful spirit the brand is known for

If you’re still not sold on how social media can make a world of difference in your marketing efforts, here are a few solid reasons.

Building brand awareness

You can use social media to tell your story and encourage others to share how they feel about and relate to your brand. This is a great way to build brand awareness and reputation . You can also grow your audience without making huge investments.  

All you need to do is post consistent and relatable content for your audience. 

Generating leads  

You can create meaningful conversations and engage your audience better by posting photos, videos and news about interesting trends in your industry. This will help build deeper connections with potential customers.  

This can result in gaining new leads and drive organic growth for your brand on social media .  

Greater customer insights  

Social media allows you to listen to what people share about your company. You can get candid feedback about how others perceive your brand. You can build custom audiences and tailor your strategies by getting insights into customer data and activities. 

You can monitor the number of visitors who were interested in your content, clicked call-to-action plugs or purchased from your brand to create more personalized content . You can then improve the weak links of your businesses while reinforcing aspects that resonate with people.  

Sprinklr Tip: Utilizing AI-based conversation suggestions and bots can help your social media managers to engage more effectively with audiences without feeling any rush or pressure. 

Measuring marketing efforts  

Social media platforms and other management tools help you monitor key performance metrics (KPIs) to show you the extent and build-up of your organically engaged audience, among other valuable information. 

You can keep an eye on your competitors by analyzing their marketing strategies when it comes to their style of marketing, type of content and profile performance. 

Driving thought leadership  

Social media is a great platform to learn about people's problems and interests. This allows you to drive thought leadership by providing solutions.  

You can start by creating how-to guides, webinars and why-is-it-not-working advice to help people. This establishes you as an industry expert and helps in gaining people's trust. 

Learn More: How to create a social media marketing strategy from scratch   

Wrapping up

Such a diverse range of features and benefits puts social media among the top tools for marketing. 

It also demands you be present and cater to the audience's needs and comments as quickly as possible. This is doable for a human team without a social tool to a certain extent. However, it gets better with technology. 

Using a smart, AI-driven tool like Sprinklr Social will allow you to be present and engage with audiences across multiple platforms, all from a single, unified dashboard.  

Give it a try today to take your social media marketing to a whole new level.

Related Topics

Article Author

Jahnavi Bhuyan

Guest Contributor

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Blog Beginner Guides 8 Types of Presentations You Should Know [+Examples & Tips]

8 Types of Presentations You Should Know [+Examples & Tips]

Written by: Krystle Wong Aug 11, 2023

From persuasive pitches that influence opinions to instructional demonstrations that teach skills, the different types of presentations serve a unique purpose, tailored to specific objectives and audiences.

Presentations that are tailored to its objectives and audiences are more engaging and memorable. They capture attention, maintain interest and leave a lasting impression. 

Don’t worry if you’re no designer —  Whether you need data-driven visuals, persuasive graphics or engaging design elements, Venngage can empower you to craft presentations that stand out and effectively convey your message.

Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface, extensive presentation template library and customizable design options make it a valuable tool for creating slides that align with your specific goals and target audience. 

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8 Different types of presentations every presenter must know

How do i choose the right type of presentation for my topic or audience, types of presentation faq, 5 steps to create a presentation with venngage .

When it comes to presentations, versatility is the name of the game. Having a variety of presentation styles up your sleeve can make a world of difference in keeping your audience engaged. Here are 8 essential presentation types that every presenter should be well-acquainted with:

1. Informative presentation

Ever sat through a presentation that left you feeling enlightened? That’s the power of an informative presentation. 

This presentation style is all about sharing knowledge and shedding light on a particular topic. Whether you’re diving into the depths of quantum physics or explaining the intricacies of the latest social media trends, informative presentations aim to increase the audience’s understanding.

When delivering an informative presentation, simplify complex topics with clear visuals and relatable examples. Organize your content logically, starting with the basics and gradually delving deeper and always remember to keep jargon to a minimum and encourage questions for clarity.

Academic presentations and research presentations are great examples of informative presentations. An effective academic presentation involves having clear structure, credible evidence, engaging delivery and supporting visuals. Provide context to emphasize the topic’s significance, practice to perfect timing, and be ready to address anticipated questions. 

2. Persuasive presentation

If you’ve ever been swayed by a passionate speaker armed with compelling arguments, you’ve experienced a persuasive presentation . 

This type of presentation is like a verbal tug-of-war, aiming to convince the audience to see things from a specific perspective. Expect to encounter solid evidence, logical reasoning and a dash of emotional appeal.

With persuasive presentations, it’s important to know your audience inside out and tailor your message to their interests and concerns. Craft a compelling narrative with a strong opening, a solid argument and a memorable closing. Additionally, use visuals strategically to enhance your points.

Examples of persuasive presentations include presentations for environmental conservations, policy change, social issues and more. Here are some engaging presentation templates you can use to get started with: 

3. Demonstration or how-to presentation

A Demonstration or How-To Presentation is a type of presentation where the speaker showcases a process, technique, or procedure step by step, providing the audience with clear instructions on how to replicate the demonstrated action. 

A demonstrative presentation is particularly useful when teaching practical skills or showing how something is done in a hands-on manner.

These presentations are commonly used in various settings, including educational workshops, training sessions, cooking classes, DIY tutorials, technology demonstrations and more. Designing creative slides for your how-to presentations can heighten engagement and foster better information retention. 

Speakers can also consider breaking down the process into manageable steps, using visual aids, props and sometimes even live demonstrations to illustrate each step. The key is to provide clear and concise instructions, engage the audience with interactive elements and address any questions that may arise during the presentation.

4. Training or instructional presentation

Training presentations are geared towards imparting practical skills, procedures or concepts — think of this as the more focused cousin of the demonstration presentation. 

Whether you’re teaching a group of new employees the ins and outs of a software or enlightening budding chefs on the art of soufflé-making, training presentations are all about turning novices into experts.

To maximize the impact of your training or instructional presentation, break down complex concepts into digestible segments. Consider using real-life examples to illustrate each point and create a connection. 

You can also create an interactive presentation by incorporating elements like quizzes or group activities to reinforce understanding.

5. Sales presentation

Sales presentations are one of the many types of business presentations and the bread and butter of businesses looking to woo potential clients or customers. With a sprinkle of charm and a dash of persuasion, these presentations showcase products, services or ideas with one end goal in mind: sealing the deal.

A successful sales presentation often has key characteristics such as a clear value proposition, strong storytelling, confidence and a compelling call to action. Hence, when presenting to your clients or stakeholders, focus on benefits rather than just features. 

Anticipate and address potential objections before they arise and use storytelling to showcase how your offering solves a specific problem for your audience. Utilizing visual aids is also a great way to make your points stand out and stay memorable.

A sales presentation can be used to promote service offerings, product launches or even consultancy proposals that outline the expertise and industry experience of a business. Here are some template examples you can use for your next sales presentation:

6. Pitch presentation

Pitch presentations are your ticket to garnering the interest and support of potential investors, partners or stakeholders. Think of your pitch deck as your chance to paint a vivid picture of your business idea or proposal and secure the resources you need to bring it to life. 

Business presentations aside, individuals can also create a portfolio presentation to showcase their skills, experience and achievements to potential clients, employers or investors. 

Craft a concise and compelling narrative. Clearly define the problem your idea solves and how it stands out in the market. Anticipate questions and practice your answers. Project confidence and passion for your idea.

7. Motivational or inspirational presentation

Feeling the need for a morale boost? That’s where motivational presentations step in. These talks are designed to uplift and inspire, often featuring personal anecdotes, heartwarming stories and a generous serving of encouragement.

Form a connection with your audience by sharing personal stories that resonate with your message. Use a storytelling style with relatable anecdotes and powerful metaphors to create an emotional connection. Keep the energy high and wrap up your inspirational presentations with a clear call to action.

Inspirational talks and leadership presentations aside, a motivational or inspirational presentation can also be a simple presentation aimed at boosting confidence, a motivational speech focused on embracing change and more.

8. Status or progress report presentation

Projects and businesses are like living organisms, constantly evolving and changing. Status or progress report presentations keep everyone in the loop by providing updates on achievements, challenges and future plans. It’s like a GPS for your team, ensuring everyone stays on track.

Be transparent about achievements, challenges and future plans. Utilize infographics, charts and diagrams to present your data visually and simplify information. By visually representing data, it becomes easier to identify trends, make predictions and strategize based on evidence.

Now that you’ve learned about the different types of presentation methods and how to use them, you’re on the right track to creating a good presentation that can boost your confidence and enhance your presentation skills . 

Selecting the most suitable presentation style is akin to choosing the right outfit for an occasion – it greatly influences how your message is perceived. Here’s a more detailed guide to help you make that crucial decision:

1. Define your objectives

Begin by clarifying your presentation’s goals. Are you aiming to educate, persuade, motivate, train or perhaps sell a concept? Your objectives will guide you to the most suitable presentation type. 

For instance, if you’re aiming to inform, an informative presentation would be a natural fit. On the other hand, a persuasive presentation suits the goal of swaying opinions.

2. Know your audience

Regardless if you’re giving an in-person or a virtual presentation — delve into the characteristics of your audience. Consider factors like their expertise level, familiarity with the topic, interests and expectations. 

If your audience consists of professionals in your field, a more technical presentation might be suitable. However, if your audience is diverse and includes newcomers, an approachable and engaging style might work better.

3. Analyze your content

Reflect on the content you intend to present. Is it data-heavy, rich in personal stories or focused on practical skills? Different presentation styles serve different content types. 

For data-driven content, an informative or instructional presentation might work best. For emotional stories, a motivational presentation could be a compelling choice.

4. Consider time constraints

Evaluate the time you have at your disposal. If your presentation needs to be concise due to time limitations, opt for a presentation style that allows you to convey your key points effectively within the available timeframe. A pitch presentation, for example, often requires delivering impactful information within a short span.

5. Leverage visuals

Visual aids are powerful tools in presentations. Consider whether your content would benefit from visual representation. If your PowerPoint presentations involve step-by-step instructions or demonstrations, a how-to presentation with clear visuals would be advantageous. Conversely, if your content is more conceptual, a motivational presentation could rely more on spoken words.

6. Align with the setting

Take the presentation environment into account. Are you presenting in a formal business setting, a casual workshop or a conference? Your setting can influence the level of formality and interactivity in your presentation. For instance, a demonstration presentation might be ideal for a hands-on workshop, while a persuasive presentation is great for conferences.

7. Gauge audience interaction

Determine the level of audience engagement you want. Interactive presentations work well for training sessions, workshops and small group settings, while informative or persuasive presentations might be more one-sided.

8. Flexibility

Stay open to adjusting your presentation style on the fly. Sometimes, unexpected factors might require a change of presentation style. Be prepared to adjust on the spot if audience engagement or reactions indicate that a different approach would be more effective.

Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the best type of presentation may vary depending on the specific situation and your unique communication goals. By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the most effective presentation type to successfully engage and communicate with your audience.

To save time, use a presentation software or check out these presentation design and presentation background guides to create a presentation that stands out.    

What are some effective ways to begin and end a presentation?

Capture your audience’s attention from the start of your presentation by using a surprising statistic, a compelling story or a thought-provoking question related to your topic. 

To conclude your presentation , summarize your main points, reinforce your key message and leave a lasting impression with a powerful call to action or a memorable quote that resonates with your presentation’s theme.

How can I make my presentation more engaging and interactive?

To create an engaging and interactive presentation for your audience, incorporate visual elements such as images, graphs and videos to illustrate your points visually. Share relatable anecdotes or real-life examples to create a connection with your audience. 

You can also integrate interactive elements like live polls, open-ended questions or small group discussions to encourage participation and keep your audience actively engaged throughout your presentation.

Which types of presentations require special markings

Some presentation types require special markings such as how sales presentations require persuasive techniques like emphasizing benefits, addressing objections and using compelling visuals to showcase products or services. 

Demonstrations and how-to presentations on the other hand require clear markings for each step, ensuring the audience can follow along seamlessly. 

That aside, pitch presentations require highlighting unique selling points, market potential and the competitive edge of your idea, making it stand out to potential investors or partners.

Need some inspiration on how to make a presentation that will captivate an audience? Here are 120+ presentation ideas to help you get started. 

Creating a stunning and impactful presentation with Venngage is a breeze. Whether you’re crafting a business pitch, a training presentation or any other type of presentation, follow these five steps to create a professional presentation that stands out:

• Sign up and log in to Venngage to access the editor.
• Choose a presentation template that matches your topic or style.
• Customize content, colors, fonts, and background to personalize your presentation.
• Add images, icons, and charts to enhancevisual style and clarity.
• Save, export, and share your presentation as PDF or PNG files, or use Venngage’s Presentation Mode for online showcasing.

In the realm of presentations, understanding the different types of presentation formats is like having a versatile set of tools that empower you to craft compelling narratives for every occasion.

Remember, the key to a successful presentation lies not only in the content you deliver but also in the way you connect with your audience. Whether you’re informing, persuading or entertaining, tailoring your approach to the specific type of presentation you’re delivering can make all the difference.

Presentations are a powerful tool, and with practice and dedication (and a little help from Venngage), you’ll find yourself becoming a presentation pro in no time. Now, let’s get started and customize your next presentation!

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