Social media can have a steep learning curve, and you can get overwhelmed by the number of tools and platforms available. However, you can learn to manage it if you put in the effort. If social media marketing is a new frontier for you, here are a few tips to help you start.
Get SMART about your goals
Without a plan, it is impossible to direct your efforts and measure your progress. A goal needs to be SMART—specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. If you’ve had corporate training, you’re familiar with SMART goals; applying them to social media will help you create a framework for your activities.
Don’t open accounts on all platforms
Signing up for a platform means investing time and effort, and each app or website will need a tailored content and engagement plan. Before joining a social network, examine whether it will help you reach your marketing goals. Is your target audience on the app or site, and does the format match your brand?
Understanding your audience will help you identify where you should be online. Once you know what your audience is looking for and how they consume content, deciding on a platform will be easier.
One way for you to know them better is by engaging with them. Do not just open a social media account; be social with your target market. Talk to them about what they like and not like about your brand, and accept comments and suggestions.
Align all your promo materials with your brand
Do not discount looking at what your competitors and industry peers are doing. See what posts gain engagement, which ones get the most shares, and which ones get comments. Think of how you can put your brand’s twist on a type of post, video, or image.
Also, look into developing a social media style guide. It will allow you to make posts with a consistent tone, voice, and format. Your guide should contain everything from spellings and colours to hashtags and emojis.
Give your posts visual appeal
Images matter online; people are 40 times more likely to share visual content on social media. Add pictures to your social media advertising, even text-based ones, and maintain your visual identity across posts. Stick to the same layouts, palettes, and even colour gradings for your photos.
Don’t post sporadically
You must be consistent in your posting schedule to stay on top of your audience’s mind. The more people hear from you, the more trust you can build. Map out events meaningful to your customers and plan posts for those. You can use an excel spreadsheet when making a content calendar and posting schedule.
Furthermore, you should post during the hours when your market is online. There are various guides for determining your audience’s peak hours, but trial and error is the best way to learn about your market.
Conclusion
Becoming an active brand on social media means spending hours planning, creating, and posting valuable content to an audience. If you want people to remember you, giving them what they want is always a good route to that. When you use your social media platform wisely, you can deliver your audience’s wants and develop a loyal following.
Grow your online presence and establish your brand with Kingz Marketing. We are based in Calgary and offer digital marketing services to small businesses looking to make a mark online. Get a quote today or contact us for more information.