Social media is much more than it has ever been and continues to further ingrain itself into everything we do—especially business marketing initiatives. And the proof is in the proverbial pudding.
In a 2020 report from DataReportal, more than 3.8 billion of the 4.5 billion worldwide internet users are on social media platforms. Of those 3.8 billion, 80% of consumers are more likely to evaluate brands they follow on social media channels.
Taking that data into consideration, marketing your brand on social media has become a necessity rather than a suggestion in today’s business climate. Let’s break down some of the steps you can take to flesh out a social media strategy to take your brand to the next level.
Establish Goals
As simple as it sounds, organizing a list of goals lays the groundwork for success. Without them, your plan is aimless and hinders any potential growth. But goals must be well thought out and purposeful. Here are some examples to consider:
- Increase sales
- Generate new leads
- Heighten brand exposure
- Set a new standard for excellent customer service
- Drive traffic to your website
Find Your People
Discovering your audience will help you determine what platforms to focus on and the best content for gaining follower support. No matter your specific goals, getting the attention of existing and potential consumers is all that matters. Your target audience depends on variables like:
- Age
- Location
- Average income
- Industry or occupation
- Interests or hobbies
Get Online
Now that you’ve done the research, you’re armed with the information you need to decide what accounts are conducive to your strategy. While there is overlay amongst the channels, each platform has its strengths when it comes to targeting different demographics. For instance, LinkedIn is geared more for the professional networking crowd while Instagram is image-driven with direct commerce availability. The most commonly used platforms include:
- Snapchat
Be Original
Anyone can create content. But it’s the great content that gains traction, sparks interest, and increases followers. Never be afraid to break the mold and stand out amongst the crowd. Social media users respond well to several types of content, including:
- Blogs
- External links
- Contests
- Holidays
- Live streaming
- Videos
- Images
- Testimonials
- Infographics
Focus On Organization
The organization of your calendar is as essential as authenticity. Develop your content in a posting calendar to ensure you’re balancing the diversity of your posts. Without a structured schedule with key dates and milestones along with holding media specialists accountable, you run the risk of your message not being posted when and where you want.
Lighthouse Marketing Services specializes in social media management and includes a calendaring tool as part of our process. With our assistance, you can have peace of mind your content is genuine, well-formulated, and finding your audience on a regulated schedule. Don’t stress, we’ll take the weight off your shoulders.
Read and React
As you continue to grow your online presence, it’s crucial to monitor your social content analytics to figure out what’s working and what isn’t. The data you should track includes:
- Engagement (likes, comments, shares, and clicks)
- Impressions
- Reach
- Conversions
- Response rate
Developing a social media strategy can feel like a tall task if you’re inexperienced. But with the right tools and guidance, any business—both large and small—can succeed. When you’re ready, reach out to us and get your social media off and running.
