Since 2012, social media use has grown at a CAGR of 12%. Now, there are over 4.62 billion people around the world using social media. Users spend about 2 hours and 27 minutes on social media every day as well.
With a strong social media marketing
campaign, you can start attracting more people to your business. Then, you can
use social media to generate web traffic, leads, and sales.
Without a social media marketing
strategy, however, they might not exist in the first place.
Not sure how to develop a strong,
effective strategy? Read on for the seven tips you need for success
today.
1.
Establish Goals
In order to develop an effective
social media marketing campaign, make sure you understand what you're trying to
accomplish. Outlining goals can give your social media marketing strategy direction.
Otherwise, you might not choose the right tactics, create the right content, or
appear on the right platforms.
When establishing goals, make sure they're SMART. Then, determine what you want to accomplish through social
media marketing. For example, you might consider:
- Gaining more followers
- Generating website traffic
- Increasing leads and sales
- Generating brand awareness and recognition
- Becoming a thought leader
- Boosting credibility and authority
- Generating more online engagement
For each goal, make sure you're
tracking a key performance indicator (KPIs). For example, your KPIs might
include followers, unique website visitors, sales, or likes.
Consider which social media
marketing tips and tactics align with each goal.
For example, if you want to gain
brand trust, consider posting behind-the-scenes content. To become a thought
leader, post helpful tips and advice. If you want to generate sales, use social
media shopping.
As you begin using these social
media marketing ideas, track your progress and KPIs. If you're not
accomplishing your goals, start adjusting your campaign.
2.
Gather Research
Don't begin putting your social
media marketing strategy into action yet. Instead, take the time to gather
research. Research can help you create an effective social media
marketing strategy.
Otherwise, your content might not
appeal to your target audience. You could appear on the wrong platforms or use
the wrong hashtags.
First, determine who your customers
are based on demo- and psychographics. For example, you might segment customers
into buyer personas based on their:
- Age
- Gender
- Location
- Household income
- Marital status
- Buying behaviors
- Interests
- Hobbies
- Pain points
Look at the posts they already love
online, too. What post formats (still images, videos, Reels, Stories) grab
their attention most? What topics does the content creator cover within those
posts?
Don't forget to check out the
competition as well. Consider:
- What platforms they appear on
- When they post (time/date/frequency)
- Topics they cover
- Post formats
- Hashtags they use
Don't copy your competitors
outright, though. Instead, make sure you're adjusting your strategy based on
your niche, audience, and goals.
This information can help you
develop a more effective social media marketing strategy.
3.
Consider the Platform
Before you begin posting content on
social media, consider where your customers spend the bulk of their time. You
might want to start marketing on one platform first. Once you get
your footing, you can expand to other platforms.
Once you choose which platform to
start with, develop your strategy with the platform in mind.
For example, let's say you decide to
start on Instagram. In that case, you can create:
- Still images
- Videos (for your feed)
- Live videos (via Stories or IGTV)
- Longer videos (for IGTV)
- Reels
- Stories
If you decide to create Stories,
make sure to use Stickers to create interactive content. Polls and quizzes can
help you generate more engagement.
If you decide to start on TikTok or
Snapchat, plan on creating a lot of video content.
Think about your goals, too. Are you
struggling to generate likes and other forms of engagement? Consider using like 4 like as you get your footing on that first
platform.
4.
Track Trends
In order to develop an effective
social media marketing strategy, you need to remain up-to-date with trends.
Otherwise, your content might seem irrelevant. Your brand might look behind the
times, too.
For example, you might want to
create branded challenges on TikTok to boost engagement. Maybe you want to
create a unique filter on Snapchat instead. Utilizing these trends can help
people become more aware of your business.
You can also start using AR and VR
to boost engagement.
5.
Create Branded Content
As you begin creating content for
your social media marketing campaign, make sure to consider your brand.
Maintaining brand consistency will help people become more aware of your
business. With repeat exposure, brand recognition will grow.
Make sure your visual branding is
consistent across all marketing channels. Consumers shouldn't move
between your social posts and websites, only to find a different brand.
Otherwise, they might think you're a completely different business.
6.
Collaborate
Start collaborating to reach new
audiences on social media.
For example, you might want to
consider working with an influencer this year. Influencers already have a
strong following online. They can promote your product or service to their
audience to help you reach new customers.
Otherwise, consider posting more
user-generated content (UGC). Show off photos of your customers using your
product or service. These posts can help you appear more genuine, allowing
brand trust to grow.
7.
Review and Adjust
Once you go live with your social
media marketing campaign, track your results and begin making adjustments. For
example, you might recognize your followers prefer live video content over
still images.
You might realize one influencer is
helping you reach more people over another. Maybe you're more popular on
Instagram than you are on TikTok.
Optimize your campaign to generate
more results.
Use
These 7 Tips for Your Social Media Marketing Campaign Today
Developing an effective social media
marketing campaign shouldn't feel stressful. Instead, use these social media
marketing tips to get started. Once you begin applying these ideas, make
informed adjustments to your strategy.
Then, you can start accomplishing
your goals and experiencing business growth.
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