8 Tips to Make Social Media More Impactful
June 27, 2023 | Category: Blog, Crisis PR, Public Relations, Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool that can be used to connect with people, share information and promote your brand. However, in order to be effective, it is important to keep your social media profiles engaging and relevant.
Keeping your social media engaging requires a combination of creativity, relevance and consistency. By incorporating elements that include graphics, storytelling, and sharing relevant news, you can create impactful and relatable content that will help to build a strong connection with your followers.
Social media is an excellent way to share news, brand promotions and company updates so it is important to keep your target audience engaged. Interesting, relatable content is a sure fire way to keep your audience interested and waiting for more.
Here are 8 ways to up your social media game:
- Monitor online feedback:
Social media is a great way to connect with followers but it can be a double-edged sword when things go awry. Conversations that turn negative online can spiral out of control in the wrong direction quickly. That’s why it is essential to keep tabs on what is being said at all times about your brand online. Having your brand “canceled” by angry followers can be a big problem, so be vigilant if problems blossom online. Catching negative commentary early is the best way to change the direction of an online conversation that is starting to get ugly before it causes long-term damage to your brand’s online reputation and you need to undertake reputation repair. - Graphics add pizazz:
Followers are more likely to engage on social media with visual content than text alone. Be sure to use high-quality images that are relevant to your message and are sure to get you noticed. Eye-catching photos are often enough to inspire someone to like and share. Consider what kind of brand profile you are trying to promote and then search for photos that will amplify that image. - Storytelling:
Sharing information through storytelling is another effective way to engage your audience. Share personal anecdotes or case studies that illustrate the value of your brand or product. People are more likely to relate to stories, and this can help to create a connection with your followers. And if the story is compelling enough, it may even get picked up by the media. Stories make news relatable and enjoyable, so don’t be afraid to tell yours. - Create relevant content:
If the content you are sharing is irrelevant or boring, engagement will be low or non-existent. It also has to have meaning for your target audience. If you are marketing makeup to teenage girls, sharing content about wrestling matches will probably not reach the followers you are seeking to engage. Be thoughtful about what you share and ask yourself why it would matter to the members of your target audience. Sharing the right kind of content to the right audience is what will produce a win all the way around. - Stay apprised of industry trends:
Consumers are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest, so do some homework if you want to be cutting edge. Share links to news articles on topics that are related to your brand or services. Make your social media channel into a go-to source for related news, industry trends or fun facts about companion products. If consumers find interesting and useful content on your social media channels, they will soon look to you as a subject matter expert and check in regularly to see if you have posted something new. Establishing a loyal customer base that looks to you as an authority is an excellent way to grow your brand. In addition to creating your own content, it is also important to share relevant news and information from other sources. This shows that you are informed and up-to-date on industry trends, and can also provide value to your followers. - Use innovative hashtags:
Do your research and then start being creative. Target hashtags with both high and low competition, and keep them simply and not too wordy. Make sure your hashtags are spelled correctly or they won’t be effective. Trending hashtags, in addition to your own branded hashtags, are also great if they mesh well with your goods or services. But don’t use too many of any of them. Less can be more. - Use employee-generated content:
People love a peek behind the curtain and that is exactly what you can provide with content from employees. Photos that show how things work, where goods are produced and what the company offices look like can be fascinating to brand fans. Employees may also like seeing pictures they took posted to the organization’s social media account, fostering a greater feeling of inclusion. Pictures that capture the essence of employee culture also hold great appeal for those inside and outside the organization. - Repurpose existing content:
When all else fails, repurpose evergreen content that continues to be relevant to your organization’s mission. If the story that content tells is still up-to-date and purposeful, reposting the content may reach a different audience the second time and continue to move the ball forward. Repurposing existing content can also save time in a pinch while keeping your social media account replete with fresh posts.