We’ve all heard it before: social media is critical to the online success of your brand. While this fact is undeniable (extremely rare case studies aside), it doesn’t have to be daunting. Even the most tech adverse business owners, entrepreneurs, or bloggers can and should add social media to their tool belt.

With so much advice out there, it can be hard to know where to start your social media journey. One important thing to remember is that posting on social media is kinda pointless if you don’t stand out. And with pretty much every man and their dog on the socials now, this can be hard to achieve – BUT, it isn’t impossible. Yay!

Here’s a Golden Nugget for Free

Even if you don’t make it through the rest of the post (no judgement) I’m going to give you a golden nugget RIGHT NOW. Many brands have fallen into a boring routine that involves doing the same old thing, of only posting links to website content or bland photos. Of course, there are some tried and tested social media tips, that even in the constantly evolving world of social media, stand the test of time.

However, much like your website, your visual identity, and anything else tied to your brand, your social media accounts should stand out. Yep, that is some common sense dressed up right there. That being said, it’s quite startling how many people don’t consider this when posting on social media for business purposes.

So, if you are a grizzled veteran, or just starting – I got you! Here are a few strategies that can make your brand shine in a sea of social media accounts. 

Engage Your Audience

First of all, you had better know what to do with a good opportunity when it comes your way. Whether they’re looking for support or commenting on a post you have made, then make sure to respond to people who engage with your account. Not only is this good practice in terms of customer support, but it can also influence the algorithm.

Let’s take Instagram as an example. The more people engage with your post within the first few hours of posting, the more it appears in other people’s newsfeed. If you don’t respond to a comment, it might put the person off commenting on another post. Also, most social media platforms like it when users are active and engage in a meaningful way. So, stick around for a little while after you post, engage with others, and engage with the people who comment on your posts.

The takeaway: Community engagement is key. Social media management apps like Loomly can help ensure that you never miss a mention or reply.

Be Authentic

One thing I have noticed through managing my social media, and the accounts of others (literally from ALL over the world, and business spectrum) is that people respond best to authenticity. People who see your content in their newsfeed can tell when your post is open and honest, and respond better to this.

Remaining somewhat professional, depending on the nature of your business, can also be of importance. If you’re unsure of the correct tone, try to strike a balance between the two. This is where hiring a social media professional can help. Together you can decide on the best tone that is professional while staying true to the values and mission of your business.

Invite Users to Share Content

User-generated content is a fantastic way to get people more actively engaged than simply like, sharing, or even replying. It can be difficult to get it right, so finding the kind of campaign that engages people is important. It’s worth looking at some of the best examples of user-generated content campaigns to get some ideas.

Know the Hierarchy of Media

Consistently, images fare better on social media than purely text posts. Similarly, video tends to do a lot better than images. However, to stand out, you want to make your videos pop off the page.

Consider working with teams like Reels In Motion to help you create social media video content. If you have good evergreen content on your blog, you can even have it reproduced in video form to help get more eyes on it. Alternatively, tools like Canva now offer some basic animation and video options.

Charm and Personality

We’re kind of walking the same tightrope as employed for the authenticity element here. Writing with too formal a voice on social media only works in specific contexts, such as when you’re being purely informational about B2B products and services.

When you’re trying to get people to pay attention or you’re responding to them, try to adopt a more natural and friendly tone. You can even try a little humour, but be wary of going down the “sassy” route, as that is starting to get played out. Once again, consider working with a professional if you’re struggling to develop the right balance for your brand’s voice.

Don’t Just Sell – Add Value 

This is another of those golden nuggets that have stood the test of time – you’re welcome! Whenever I have managed social media or delivered workshops to give people the tools to do it themselves, this is ALWAYS at the forefront of the discussion or strategy.

How do you feel when a brand is constantly stuck in selling mode within your newsfeed? Like you want to REMOVE them quickly? Well, that’s how a lot of people feel. Don’t just sell your products, take the time to add value to your followers/subscribers. This means they will not only stick around but associate your brand with positive things rather than being annoyed.

Know What Metrics You Should Be Tracking

If you’re looking solely at the vanity metrics of likes and shares, then you are missing the broader picture. They can help you see how widely your posts reach, but you should be looking at how effective they are towards your goals. Uses analytic tools like SproutSocial to get a whole overview of your social media campaign and see what drives the most genuine engagement, such as clicks and replies. That’s where you stand out and that’s what you should try to incorporate a little more of.

FIN

Try to make your social media account stand out using one of the ways above, or in a different way entirely! Achieving this doesn’t have to take up too much of your time and energy, and can pay dividends in the long run.

Thank you for spending some of your precious time in my online abode today 🙂

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