7 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING TIPS

There’s an entertaining truth behind people complaining about social media…on social media.

Let’s face it, we can put a bad spin on almost anything!

Why and how social media was/is designed – the manipulation of marketing began in print ads, people speaking to you about a product, and giving you false expectations at the general store, etc. – it’s all about how you choose to use this tool.

My advice is: Don’t jump on the bandwagon of social media being this bad thing – there is value here!

Social media can be used as a positive and productive tool.

The negativity only adds to the problem.

I have based my entire business off sharing on social media. I’ve been doing this for 7 years full-time. I’ve worked with clients from all over the US and several other countries. I’ve earned more money that I ever thought I could from a laptop.

And I’m here to tell you this: It is based on the connections that I have made with this tool.

Let me share with you some of my favorite and go-to tips on how you can start not only looking at social media differently, but use it as the tool it’s meant to be…in a way that benefits YOU! 

7 Social Media Branding Tips

(This is going to look a little different if you took a marketing class in college but, it’s what’s worked for me and how I’ve built my business.)

1. Decide what’s important for you

   a. What are you using social media for?

   b. what do you stand for?

   c. What’s your objective? Remind yourself of this and this tool can be really rewarding.

   d. How do you want to be represented?

   e. How do you want to feel when you’re doing the stuff you’re doing on social media?

   f. Example: For me, it’s important for me to be the same person online as I am in real life. I show up in a really authentic way because              this is what’s sustainable for me. It’s the easy part of what I’m doing.

2. Know your audience 

   a. Who is your ideal client?

   b. Where are they? This is where you want to focus your social media marketing when choosing the platform and how you’re utilizing it.

   c. Each demographic will use a different platform and in a different way – the rules  are different, the way the algorithms work is different,           the way users of the platforms behave on the platform is different.

   d. Do some research, collect the data, then you can choose what you’re doing and where

3. Consistently posting and showing up

   a. You probably need to increase

   b. If you’re posting once a week, I would suggest posting at least 2 more days.

   c. Write some of your posts in advance.

   d. Don’t use a third-party to post for you – this often decreases your reach. I use a scheduler on Preview, it notifies me when to post, and             then I enter it manually.

   e. The point of social media is to be social – this is why these things are designed to function the way that they do.

4. Pictures

   a. Selfies are proven to get more reach and interaction.

   b. Selfies make you human, you’re representing you!

   c. Test it out with your audience if you’re hesitant.

   d. Increase the quality of your photos with a tripod, selfie-mode, a timer, a ring light.

     i. There are tons of editing apps: Facetune, Reface, Etc.

5. Links, Tags, Hashtags & Mentions

   a. On Facebook personal profile – if you post a link inside of your actual post, it will get less reach. Facebook does not like that you direct people off of their site.

     i. Instead post it with a picture in the comments section.

   b. On a Facebook business profile – this is not true. You can post the link in the post.

   c. On Instagram – it’s pretty pointless to post a link in the post section as it cannot be copied and pasted, unless it’s easy to remember.

   d. Hashtags on Instagram are very important – this is the way you show up on peoples Discovery pages, gain new followers, etc.

     i. Make sure they are relative to your post.

     ii. Use at least 6-8, but you can use up to 30.

     iii. Do some research on trending hashtags for your area and clientele.

   e. Tag relevant people and things – expands your search.

   f. Mentions – @(person or business name) also expands your reach and helps you access another market.

6. GET SOCIAL!

   a. Replying to other people’s comments – if it’s nasty, just delete it, but reply to those who took their time to comment on your picture and post.

   b. Go to their pages and comment and interact with them there!

   c. Go to pages that are in alignment with you and your objective and comment with something relevant and that comes from a place of sincerity.

   d. Don’t be “yuck” about it. Tune IN!

   e. Building a brand is about establishing trust in relationships.

7. Storytelling (this might be the most imporant)

   a. Tell a story with a purpose. People will remember it because of how it makes them feel.

   b. You will make a bigger impact on your audience.

Your energy, mood, and intention that you put into writing your posts, your audience can feel it!

If you found those tips helpful, I go even more in depth with real – life, tangible examples in my podcast episode linked below.