Your business probably already has a Facebook and Instagram account, but what about LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube? If not, you may be missing out on valuable lead generation sources that you can utilize for free. Here are 5 social media platforms your business should be using besides Facebook and Instagram.

1. LinkedIn
   While a lot of people have LinkedIn for nothing more than to connect with current or past co-workers, its full potential for business owners shouldn’t be overlooked. Boasting over 690 million users and considering that it’s a platform designed to cater to connecting the working class, this is perhaps the best social media site for businesses to connect with potential customers, employees and media relations personnel.What’s more, LinkedIn offers business owners a platform to build a business page similar to Facebook–one that people can “follow” and stay updated with without having to add random people to their personal page.
2. Pinterest
   It may appear as though Pinterest has gone by the wayside since 2012, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. According to Pinterest, 431 million people use the platform monthly “to find ideas and inspire their next purchase.” Pinterest is a great platform for business owners who rely on visually stimulating content to sell products. Think: beauty brands, retail shops and artists.
3. YouTube
   If there’s one platform that promises a decent way to receive passive income for producing content, YouTube is it–and let’s be honest, most business owners have something video-worthy to offer the public. Whether it’s business advice or a tutorial on how to make a product, there’s no reason why setting up a YouTube and posting a helpful video now and again would be a bad investment-=and if you get enough views, YouTube may offer to pay you for videos!
4. Twitter
   Similar to Facebook and Instagram, Twitter is a popular social media platform for both consumers and businesses. Its short-and-to-the-point character limit rules mean that you can’t really go overboard with sharing, alternatively, it offers business owner’s a quick glimpse into “what’s happening in the world every day,” as the company puts it. It also allows the integration of links and media, which is great for companies trying to filter clicks to their direct sites.
5. TikTok
   TikTok isn’t just for kids, in fact, it’s quickly overtaking all of the other social media platforms for one simple reason: the algorithm. Thanks to TikTok’s (more-fair) algorithm, it’s easier to become a “viral” sensation with just a video or two. Even without a viral video, many users and businesses have seen a huge increase to their income after posting on TikTok.

   What’s especially great about TikTok is that you don’t have to be a master of video creation nor do the videos have to be longer than a few seconds! Nearly anyone with a smartphone can figure out how to use the platform and start posting quality content in almost no time.

   So get out there and make some accounts. Each of these platforms offers businesses a new and free way to advertise their offerings to potential customers.