The explosion of social media usage worldwide has morphed these platforms into powerful marketing arenas where businesses can foster relationships, build brand loyalty, and drive sales. As of 2023, a staggering 4.9 billion people are actively engaging on social media, making it a fertile ground for businesses to spread their message and interact with potential customers.
The diverse ecosystem of social media offers a buffet of platforms, each with its unique features and audience demographics. The average person hops between seven different social networks monthly, spending a remarkable 151 minutes per day scrolling through posts, engaging with content, and exploring new brands. This presents a ripe opportunity for businesses to cast a wide net and engage with a broad spectrum of potential customers.
In this blog, we reveal 6 simple yet effective social media marketing strategies that are not only easy to grasp but can be implemented right away to fuel the engagement engine of your small business.
So without further ado, let’s delve into these strategies and unveil how you can elevate your social media game starting NOW!
1. Content Calendar Creation
Before any basketball game, the coach makes a game plan. Who will play when, what moves to try, and how to score points. This plan helps everyone know what to do and when to do it.
Similarly, before you go on about your social media marketing endeavors, it’s good to have a game plan – this is called a content calendar. It tells you what to post, when to post, and where to post it (like on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter).
Here are some tips on crafting a content calendar that can amplify your social media impact:
i. Curate a Diverse Content Mix
Your audience craves variety. Blend different types of content such as educational articles, product highlights, customer testimonials, and interactive Q&A sessions. A balanced content mix keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.
We recommend you maintain a 70-20-10 rule; 70% of your content should focus on your brand’s value and message, 20% should share ideas or posts from others in your industry, and 10% should be promotional.
ii. Draft a Consistent Posting Schedule
Consistency is key in social media. Draft a schedule that you can realistically maintain, aligning with the times your audience is most active.
iii. Employ Scheduling Tools
Harness the power of social media management tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to schedule your posts. These platforms offer the ease of scheduling alongside insightful analytics.
You can schedule posts a week in advance to ensure consistency while allowing room for real-time updates or trends.
iv. Themed Days for a Fun Twist
Inject a fun element into your social media narrative with themed days like ‘Motivation Monday’ or ‘Feature Friday’. It adds a predictable yet engaging rhythm to your content schedule.
v. Celebrate Holidays and Local Events
Embrace the spirit of festivities or local events in your content. It not only shows your brand’s human side but also connects with your audience on a personal level.
Keep a list of relevant holidays and local events, and plan your content around these dates to stay ahead in the game.
2. Harness User-Generated Content (UGC)
Authenticity is the currency that earns trust and engagement on social media. One of the most powerful ways to infuse authenticity into your brand’s social narrative is through User-Generated Content (UGC).
UGC is essentially any form of content, from photos and videos to reviews and blog posts, created by people rather than brands. It’s the digital equivalent of word-of-mouth marketing, showcasing real-life interactions and endorsements from your customers.
Harnessing the power of UGC not only enhances your brand’s credibility but also fosters a community of loyal customers.
Here’s how to leverage user-generated content for your small business:
i. Encourage Reviews and Testimonials
Invite your customers to share their experiences and reviews on social media platforms. Positive reviews can significantly uplift your brand’s image.
Create a unique hashtag for your brand and encourage customers to use it when sharing their experiences.
ii. Run a UGC Contest
Initiate a contest inviting your audience to share photos or videos using your products, with a chance to be featured on your page or win a prize.
Make the contest engaging by aligning it with a popular or relevant theme, and ensure the prize is enticing enough to encourage participation.
iii. Feature Customer Content
Regularly feature photos, videos, or reviews shared by your customers on your social media pages. It’s a way of appreciating their engagement and encouraging others to share as well.
iv. Respond and Engage
When customers take the time to create and share content related to your brand, ensure you acknowledge and engage with them by liking, commenting, or sharing their content.
Personalized responses can go a long way in building relationships and encouraging more UGC. And make sure your responses are tailored to your brand identity.
For example, everyone on X (formerly Twitter) knows Ryanair loves throwing subtle jabs at their users. This is a peculiar strategy that has somehow worked for them, probably bearing on the hilarity of their approach like this:
So find what works for you and maximize it to its fullest potential.
3. Social Media Advertising
Social Media Advertising is a powerful tool that can help you stand out in the very noisy market square that is social media. This potent tool allows you to target specific demographics, ensuring your message reaches the right eyes and ears.
Whether you’re looking to boost engagement, drive traffic, or increase conversions, a well-crafted social media advertising campaign can be your golden ticket. Here’s a simple guide to help you launch a successful social media advertising campaigns for your small business:
i. Set Clear Objectives
Before diving into the advertising pool, clearly define what you aim to achieve. Is it brand awareness, lead generation, or sales conversion? Having clear objectives will guide your advertising strategy.
ii. Choose the Right Platforms
Not all social media platforms are created equal, especially when it comes to advertising. Select platforms that align with your brand and where your target audience spends their time.
For visual products, platforms like Instagram and Pinterest could be more effective, while B2B services might find better traction on LinkedIn.
iii. Target Your Audience Precisely
Social media advertising shines in its ability to target specific demographics. Utilize the targeting features to reach your ideal audience based on location, age, interests, and behaviors. E.g. you can use Facebook’s Lookalike Audiences feature to reach people who have similar characteristics to your existing customers.
iv. Craft Engaging Ad Creatives
Your ad creative is the first thing people see. Make it captivating with high-quality images, compelling copy, and a clear call-to-action.
A/B test different creatives to understand what resonates best with your audience.
v. Evaluate ROI
We cannot emphasize this enough; ALWAYS evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of your advertising efforts. This is to ensure you’re getting value for your money. The goal of social media marketing efforts is to make money, not lose it.
4. Contests and Giveaways
There’s a certain magic in the words “free” and “win” that has a way of capturing attention and stirring excitement. In the social media domain, this magic is encapsulated within contests and giveaways. They are your gateway to heightened engagement, broader reach, and a fun, interactive relationship with your audience.
Here are some tips you would find useful:
i. Craft Enticing Prizes
The prize is the heart of your contest. It should be valuable and desirable to your audience, prompting them to participate.
Recommendation: Offer your own products or services as prizes to maintain relevance and attract genuine interest.
ii. Create Simple Participation Rules
Complex rules can be a deterrent. Keep the participation process simple and straightforward to encourage more entries.
Common entry methods include liking the post, following your account, tagging friends, or sharing the post.
iii. Promote Your Contest
Spread the word about your contest through various channels – your social media platforms, email marketing, and website.
Consider investing a small budget in promoting your contest post to reach a wider audience.
iv. Engage with Participants
As entries pour in, keep the excitement alive by engaging with participants. Acknowledge entries and keep the conversation going.
v. Announce Winners Publicly
A public announcement of the winners adds a layer of transparency and concludes your contest on a high note.
5. Educational Content
Most people visit social media platforms for entertainment. But these platforms also present a growing place for learning content. By sharing useful info, solving problems, and teaching your followers about things they like, you can make your brand stand out as a leader in what you do.
Here’s how to skillfully craft and share educational content on your social media channels:
i. Identify Relevant Topics
Dive into the queries and issues your target audience faces. Select topics that align with your brand and possess the potential to enlighten your audience. One way to do this is to conduct surveys or ask direct questions on your social media platforms to gather insights on the topics your audience is interested in.
ii. Create High-Quality Content
Whether it’s a blog post, video, infographic, or podcast, ensure your content is well-researched, accurate, and provides a fresh perspective.
Read Also: How To Use Video To Tell Better Stories
iii. Make it Easily Digestible
Educational content should simplify complex topics, not complicate them. Break down information into bite-sized pieces and use clear, jargon-free language.
iv. Promote Across Platforms
Spread your educational content across all your social media channels to reach a broader audience. Tailor the presentation to suit the platform. Craft platform-specific headlines and descriptions to capture attention and encourage shares.
v. Encourage Interaction
Invite your audience to ask questions, share their experiences, and discuss the topic further in the comments section. Host Q&A sessions or live discussions to delve deeper into the topic and engage with your audience in real-time.
6. Trend Participation
Occasionally, social media trends emerge as fleeting waves that brands can ride for a splash of virality and engagement. Participating in relevant trends not only showcases your brand’s ability to stay current but also provides a platform to display creativity and brand personality.
Here’s a structured approach to effectively participate in trends on social media:
i. Stay Informed
Being in the know is the first step. Keep tabs on trending topics, hashtags, or challenges across different social media platforms. Utilize tools like Google Trends, Twitter Trends, or industry-specific platforms to stay updated on the latest trends.
ii. Assess Relevance
Not all trends will align with your brand. Evaluate the relevance and appropriateness of a trend before deciding to participate. DiGiorno once co-opted a trending hashtag without realizing it was related to a serious issue of domestic abuse. This illustrates the importance of understanding the context of a trend before participating.
iii. Be Timely
Timing is crucial when it comes to trend participation. Jumping on a trend early can significantly increase visibility and engagement.
iv. Add a Unique Twist
While participating in a trend, infuse it with a unique angle that reflects your brand personality. Consider how you can put a fresh spin on a trending topic or challenge to make it uniquely yours.
v. Keep it Engaging
Trends are all about engagement. Create content that encourages interaction, shares, and comments. Include compelling call-to-actions or questions to prompt audience interaction.
vi. Remain Authentic
While trends are fun, maintaining authenticity is crucial. Stay true to your brand voice and values. Avoid forcing a fit; if a trend doesn’t align with your brand, it’s okay to skip it.
Trend participation is about melding the contemporary with the characteristic essence of your brand. It’s an opportunity to showcase your brand’s creative pulse, resonate with your audience on current happenings, and foster a lively, engaged community.
By thoughtfully engaging with trends, your brand becomes a relevant, relatable, and engaging entity amidst the bustling realm of social media, fostering a stronger connection with your audience while enhancing your social media presence.
