There has been a lot of criticism directed towards social media and its usage today, still, we cannot fail to recognize that it is one of the most important and growing platforms available, especially for the marketer. Millions of people use networking sites and apps daily and this number is only increasing.
Using social media is not just about the emojis and hashtags you use, but it depends on well-thought-out marketing strategies that can tap into the potential of all social media platforms, using their uniqueness and what they have to offer effectively. Each space can be used to put forth a worldview or specific messages to popularize the brand and bring in more leads and followers.
When you think of strategy, also look at what these platforms are individually offered to you as a brand. Some help you get more audience or engagement, some that bring you leads and others who give you insightful consumer data.
You could use Instagram differently and put out some content that is different from how you use say a Snapchat or Facebook. It’s also important to have content that both creates brand awareness as well as delights the viewers. Take a look at some steps that will get you closer to your social media marketing goals:
Have a multichannel approach
Marketers used to rely solely on Twitter a few years ago, then Facebook arrived and all their focus shifted there. Today, it almost seems like Instagram has taken over. Who knows what the future will bring?
As a marketer, you need to be flexible enough to change with the times and make the most of what it has to offer. It is almost dangerous to focus on only one channel for a brand. Understand your audience and their preferences and play to your strengths. You can use each channel for a different purpose. This approach also helps increase your number of customers and followers whom you will be able to engage across your platforms.
Staying updated on social media trends only works in your favor because you can be sure your competition is doing so as well. But ensure each account of yours across channels has the same persona online. Use all the tricks of the trade, post daily, go live, host engagement activities, this only increases consumer satisfaction.
Use influencer marketing
Everyone’s doing it. And brands have found it very beneficial in reaching their target audience. If your audience is active on social media, this is highly beneficial. A lot of the world’s biggest brands use this technique, even startups find this useful.
Traditional ads have lost their appeal, even if you place an ad as an ad, people tend to scroll ahead and ignore it. They look for creative ways of seeing an ad and social media influencers do this with their sponsored ads in the most innovative way possible. This is why this method of advertising has become so popular.
Influencers travel, make video content, wear trendy clothes, etc to promote brands. Influencers emotionally engage with their audience as well as the brands they represent. The audience too trusts the influencers and takes their recommendations seriously. This is a win-win situation where both parties get what they want. Influencers get their sponsorship and brands reach out to wider audiences. The trick is to find the right influencer who fits your niche and has a large following. This person needs to regularly post content and be engaging.
Engaging content
Play to the emotions of people with your content. This helps build a connection with your followers. You could partake in helping with a relevant social cause, it gives your brand a human touch. Have a set of clear, unhinging values for your brand and stick to it.
Pretentious click-bait activities or content will not sell. Find out what causes your audience is concerned or passionate about, you could raise funds for the same, that will be highly appreciated by your followers.
Engagement is key, it’s not just about posting content and getting followers. The quality of your content largely determines how loyal and supportive your followers are going to be. Along with the content you put out there, be sure to answer any questions that your audience has in the comment section or even on DM and be quick to do so. This shows accountability and responsibility on your part.
A clear and unique identity
Users of social media constantly evaluate and re-evaluate what they want to see in their feed and what they don’t. They follow pages with an idea in mind and their reasons for doing so are clear. There is some value add that they see in following the pages they do. If your brand does not have a unique identity and is all over the place, people will not want to follow it.
Your presence on social media becomes redundant and you become just another profile out there that derives and recycles ideas. Strategize in such a manner that your brand identity tells a story cohesively across your multimedia channels.
Have messages that are in congruence with your brand USP and consistency will bring you, loyal followers. Your brand will be considered legitimate and reliable if you follow through with this. If you’re dilly-dallying with how you want to present yourself as a brand, it will seem fake and utilitarian, customers don’t want that.
Leveraging look-alike audiences
Organic content is good, but social media marketing cannot rely on only that to expand its reach. Some paid elements also help in getting more reach, this is to be done once your strategy is clear and in place.
Social media platforms have algorithms to help you connect with users that suit your required customer preferences. This is what look-alike audiences are all about. This is done by uploading a list of email IDs of your ideal customers on platforms like Facebook so that the platform can identify users of similar demographic makeup.
Measuring success on the social media platform
Analytics are your friends. This is the only way to know whether or not your marketing strategy is bearing any fruit. The platforms you are on will provide metrics about engagement, visibility, and overall performance. This is very useful to tweak your approach if required to get the best results.
Category: Social media marketing
Keywords: marketing, Social media, Facebook
Tags: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
