Ready to Up Your Social Media Game? 8 Steps for Success

Social media has become an essential platform for brands both big and small. Through your social media platforms, you can increase brand awareness and develop deeper relationships with your target audience. You can also have conversations with consumers who are most likely to use your products and further improve your understanding of your target audience’s needs. If you've allowed your social media game to fall behind, you may be missing out on critical opportunities to expand your business. 

Are you ready to up your social media game? Follow these steps to improve your ROI and see a deeper connection with your customers. 

1. Post more frequently. 

In general, you should post on your social media accounts an average of once per day. If you post more than once per day, you may notice a drop in engagement. If you're posting less frequently, on the other hand, you're missing out on a vital chance to connect with consumers who may have an interest in your brand. 

Develop a schedule and a calendar. Let consumers know when to anticipate a post from you. Over time, you'll notice your social media engagement rates increasing steadily. 

2. Get creative with your content.

Look for creative ways to engage with your audience. You don't just have to post about things directly in your industry! Post content that's relevant and useful to your target audience. Share tips and tricks. Post a funny video or infographic. Let your creativity and personality shine through on your social media accounts. 

3. Try something new.

If you've noticed that you aren't seeing the results you want from your social media marketing, try something new. You may want to connect with a media partner, which will mean access to their social media accounts, or try posting a new type of content. Have you tried video content? Posting surveys? Hosting a contest? By adding something new to your repertoire, you may discover a more effective way to increase engagement. 

4. Engage back with your audience.

The magic of social media is that it's an interactive experience. Don't just share information with your followers. Listen to what they have to say, then answer them! Your answers can increase consumer loyalty and help them feel a more profound sense of connection to your business, which means when they have a need in your industry, they will be more likely to turn to your brand. 

5. Incorporate stories content daily.

Make your posts part of your story--and tell a story with your brand. Consumers are more likely to connect with brands with a story to tell, especially one that resonates with them somehow. 

6. Integrate in-app shopping.

In-app shopping makes it easy for consumers to purchase with a single click, often while still scrolling through other content. By integrating the shopping experience, you also allow them to go directly from your post to the specific product or service they need, rather than leaving them floundering as they search your page. 

7. Utilize user-generated content.

Using content generated directly by your customers will evoke a sense of pride and connection. Not only that, as you use their content, they'll be more likely to, in turn, like and share that content. Invite your users to submit videos, design images, or post reviews of your business. Consider hosting a contest that will allow you to choose the best user-generated content from the crowd. 

8. Stay on top of trends. 

What trends are currently defining your industry? What does your target audience most need to see from you to make a purchase? Keep up with the latest trends. For example, you may note that younger users, especially Gen Z members, are more engaged with Instagram and Snapchat than Facebook. In-app shopping is one of the most recent trends across both Facebook and Instagram. By working with a media partner, you can often find out more information about these trends--and your media partner may already have a good idea of how it will impact your target audience. 

9. Keep up with updates to the platforms you use. 

Many social media platforms roll out updates regularly. As a business user of those platforms, you must keep up with the latest version and stay involved with those updates. Your users are using the newest version of the platform, which means you should be, too. 

Are you ready to up your social media game? With these strategies, you can improve overall audience engagement, encourage interest in your products and services, and give consumers a better idea of what you have to offer. By connecting with a media partner, you can also get access to your audience’s latest strategic information, allowing you to make better decisions about exactly the right platforms and content for your business.