The Best Social Media Platforms for Architects & Why

Taking the Guesswork Out of Social Media for Architects

What social media platforms to choose for your architecture firm and how to use them

A strong social media presence is essential for any business in today’s digital world - and the architecture industry is no exception.

But with so many social media platforms, it can be hard to know which one will be the best fit for your firm. 

Let’s face it: architects are pressed for time, and choosing the right social media channel to promote your architecture firm is an important decision. 

To help save you time, we will help you choose the best social media platforms for your architecture firm, and show you how to use them for networking, brand awareness, and attracting clients.

We will examine Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok, and how each of these platforms can help your firm be more visible online. By the end of this post, you should have a good understanding of what are the best social media platforms for architects and how to use them.

This blog will cover:

• The Benefits of Social Media For Architects
• The Best Social Media Platforms For Architects
• The Pros and Cons of Each Social Media Platform
• How to Choose the Right Platforms for Your Firm

Best for: Professional Networking  for Commercial and Residential architects

Top Feature: LinkedIn Groups

Content Types: Articles, Professional Updates, Industry News

According to Workflowmax, 82% of people are more likely to trust a firm if its leaders use social media and 81% of the fastest-growing US companies are using LinkedIn.

But when it comes to architects, we’ve noticed that many still haven’t realized the power of LinkedIn for attracting and connecting with other professionals. This alone makes Linkedin an untapped networking goldmine.

Growing a Referral Network

On LinkedIn, you can build your network of contractors, real estate agents, interior designers, urban planners, and more; giving your firm greater exposure to a wider audience of potential referrers.

Building Awareness

The beauty of LinkedIn is that many people you have worked with already are on it, so you’ll already have many contacts to easily connect with when you sign up. Then, once you create and post valuable content, your network will share it with theirs, helping you to expand your network too.

Professional Opportunities

By connecting with other architects and designers, you can get valuable insights and feedback about your work. You can also find new collaborators and clients through this network, as well as candidates for new job openings. 

Staying on-trend

By participating in conversations and following relevant discussions on LinkedIn, you can stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and developments. Staying informed will help you innovate, stay relevant to future clients. 

The drawbacks of LinkedIn

With so many benefits to using LinkedIn as an architect, there's no reason not to sign up today! Depending on your ideal future client, it may not be the right social media to reach them directly, though it can help you build and reinforce your network of B2B partners and collaborators who are likely to refer clients to you.

For more on how to make LinkedIn work for your architecture firm, check out our complete guide to attracting clients on LinkedIn.

#2 Facebook for Architects

Best for: Residential Architects sharing content and links to firm’s website

Top Feature: Facebook Interest Groups

Content Types: Stories, Informational & Inspirational Posts

With nearly 3 billion users on Facebook, your architecture firm can reach a wide audience that you might not be able to access through other social media channels.

Staying Connected

While Facebook is one of the more established social media platforms, this channel can also help you learn about new trends, industry events, and developments in the architecture world, as well as find contact information for prospective clients or collaborators. 

Promoting Content

Another great use of Facebook for architects is for creating high-quality, well-written, and visually stunning content. Posts can include specific links back to your website –.great for promoting your blog articles and extensive portfolio to your audience.

Engaging Features

In addition, using features like stories and events allows you to create engaging and educational content – perfect for attracting clients to your architecture firm.

Facebook Groups are another great feature of this platform. Many groups cater to promoting local businesses, and some focus on helping locals find recommended resources. Participating in a local home renovation group is a great way to expand your visibility and share your expertise.

Advanced Analytics

Facebook also boasts a rich analytics toolset, allowing you to track key metrics such as likes, shares, and comments to ensure that your architecture firm is reaching the right audiences. 

The drawbacks of Facebook

Facebook comes with some drawbacks, though. Many users find it filled with distractions, including the number of ads. And, because of the platform’s algorithms, it can be difficult to predict which of your posts actually show up in your followers’ newsfeeds. You may also struggle to attract younger generations, as they have less of a presence on this platform. 

#3 Instagram for Architects

Best for: Visual Storytelling for residential architects and designers 
Top Feature: Hashtags
Content Types: Photos, Videos, Reels, IGTV

Architects have long been known for their beautifully-designed buildings, and with more than 2 billion users, Instagram has given them a great way to showcase their architectural designs. 

Showcasing Projects

Instagram is a fantastic social media platform for architects, due to its unique photographic features. it's a great place to share exclusive content using reels, static images, videos, or the lGTV format. 

Building Connections

In addition to sharing photos, architects can also post stories, news items, and other relevant information that will help followers learn about the architectural process and connect with others who share their interests.

Search Value

Another great advantage of using Instagram for architects is that you can use popular hashtags, like #architecture to reach a wider audience. You can also use more specific hashtags, like #SanFranciscoArchitecture to attract a niche, more relevant audience.

Influencer Marketing

Finally, it's impossible to mention Instagram as one of the best social media apps for architects without involving influencers. By working with reputable individuals in the industry who have a large following on social media, you can reach more potential clients than ever before! 

The drawbacks of Instagram

It is not possible to include direct links in captions on Instagram posts, however, you can reference a “Link in bio” to get people to your website, and Instagram stories can include links. If you’re thinking of using Instagram, you must have the resources to make high-quality videos and images, as it's a platform built for visual content. 

#4 TikTok for Architects

Best for: Short-Form Video Storytelling for residential and commercial architects
Top Feature: Trending Hashtags & Sounds
Content Types: Videos

Though it may not seem like the obvious social media platform or target audience for architects, TikTok can be a valuable tool for architects in several ways:

Engaging Content

Architects can use TikTok to share short videos or animations of their projects, allowing prospective clients, interior designers, and other collaborators to see their work in a dynamic and engaging way.

Staying Current

TikTok is very much trend-led, and by following other architects, builders, and designers on TikTok, you can chime in on their content about the latest design trends, building techniques, and materials.

Get Inspired

TikTok can be a good source of information and inspiration for architects, especially for those who are interested in experimenting with new design software, materials, and technologies.

Promoting Your Firm

TikTok can be used to promote an architect's brand and unique design style by creating engaging and informative content that showcases their skills and expertise. 

Promoting on other social media 

TikTok often prioritizes small accounts, because they want them to go viral. So even if you don't want to use TikTok as your main account, posting videos and links to your other social media platforms can draw people to your other platforms. 

The drawbacks of TikTok

Though TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media apps, it’s very much focused on “short-form” video content. With a subject as complex as architecture, TikTok may not allow you the space to explain the complexities of what you do. (If you are interested in doing longer videos, you may want to consider YouTube.)

With all this in mind, a great approach is to use TikTok in combination with a lead-generation strategy aimed at bringing followers to your website.

#5: Pinterest for Architects

Best for: Inspiration & Discovery for residential architects 
Top Feature: Boards
Content Types: Photos, Videos, Links

As an architect, you’ve probably heard about Pinterest, as many homeowners like to use it to collect ideas and inspirations for their projects.

And, while we do not recommend that architects invest a lot of effort, money, or time in building a presence on Pinterest, it's a social media platform you should be familiar with, especially if you're focused on residential projects.

Researching Ideas

Architecture clients may use Pinterest to discover and save inspiration images of architecture, interiors, and landscapes. This can be helpful for architects researching design trends, styles, materials, and techniques.

Creating Inspo Boards

Architects can use Pinterest to create detailed vision boards and feature their projects to help potential clients see their work in a visual and interactive format.

Attracting Clients

Architects can use Pinterest to attract prospects by sharing useful boards with tips, ideas, and completed project images to engage homeowners looking for solutions and specific style inspiration for remodeling or building a new home.

Easy Collaboration

Pinterest boards can easily be shared with clients and contractors, allowing for easy collaboration on architectural design and material choices.

The drawbacks of Pinterest 

For architects, Pinterest doesn’t allow you to interact easily with people on the platform. Users are there simply to gather information, get inspired, and create boards of their own, based on their interests and plans. So, if you want to build online relationships with potential clients, this may not be the best platform for your firm.

How to Choose the Right Social Media Platform for Your Architecture Firm

So, now that you know about the benefits and drawbacks of each social media platform, how do you know which platform is best for your architecture firm’s marketing strategy? 

First and foremost, you don’t need to be everywhere.

Start by considering your goals: What do you want to accomplish with social media? Are you trying to attract new clients, build relationships with referral partners, or are you trying to grow your reputation and reach?

You also need to know who your target audience is and where they hang out on social media. Each platform attracts a different demographic, and while this may not be the only determining factor, it can certainly play into your decision-making. 

Another, and often overlooked, consideration comes down to the type of content you have or are able to consistently produce.

Social media is about starting conversations. To do that, you'll want to create content that gives your audience something to interact with, respond to, talk about, and share. Each platform requires a combination of time and assets, along with a commitment to consistent and regular posting activity. For example:

Do you have plenty of portfolio-ready images to share on Instagram?

Are you able to produce videos consistently for TikTok?

Can you dedicate time every week to networking on LinkedIn?

Sometimes, when it comes to social media, the best channel for your firm is the one that you already enjoy using personally. If you enjoy it, you're more likely to find time to work at it. 

Want to learn more about creating an architecture marketing strategy for your firm? Check out our article, The Ultimate Guide to Marketing for Architects.

You don’t have to do it all on your own, Archmark is here to help

Social media can be a valuable tool for architects looking to reach new audiences and promote their work. 

By choosing the best social media platform(s) for your architecture firm and creating content tailored to your target audiences, you can make the most out of these channels to help maximize your reach online. 

But, if managing your firm's social media presence isn’t something you signed up for in architecture school, why not leave to the pros?

At Archmark, we specialize in marketing for architects, helping firms differentiate themselves from their competitors, find their own voice, and implement effective online marketing plans.

If you'd like to take the first step towards growing your presence online, attracting more ideal future clients, and growing your referral network, apply for your free 20-minute clarity call now!