One of the most challenging parts of being a social media marketer is creating effective content that resonates with your audience each and every time. With 81% (and climbing) of small and medium businesses using social media for marketing, it’s hard to stand out and capture your audience’s attention enough to keep them coming back, especially when Facebook’s algorithm changes in a way that makes it harder for your content to be seen.
Here are seven ways to effectively use your social media platforms and craft content that engages your audience and gets them excited about following you.
- Create Polls
People love to share their opinion when they know somebody is listening. They’re also intrigued by ways to fill downtime while scrolling through their own social media. Whether you use Twitter’s integrated poll feature or host your own poll inyour captions, they present an immediate way for your audience to play an active role on your social media and interact with your brand. Make sure to create a poll that’s relevant for you and your brand! For example, a restaurant might turn a typical #foodporn post into a poll to get users talking about their favorite menu item.
- Encourage User-Generated Content
People like to see their own work featured. While some will gladly and proudly post without prompting, it’s always a great idea to encourage people to share their own content. You can even tempt people by offering a prize for anyone who posts during a certain time! Studies actually show that consumers trust user-generated content 50% more than they trust other media. Having comments, reviews, content and testimonials from your audience is a unique way to showcase your authentic involvement with your customers.
- Have A Live Q+A
The video marketing trend is turning mainstream. Statistics show that 63% of businesses are already using video as a marketing tool, and that number is rapidly rising. If you’ve been putting off live video, it’s time to give it another chance. You CAN do it! Live video doesn’t need to be anything special. You can ask your audience for questions beforehand and request more during the live video. Live video is a platform that allows you to instantly interact with viewers that are commenting, giving you an opportunity to keep the momentum about your brand going. After the live video is complete, it will live on your page, leaving more opportunity for post-live engagement.
- Utilize Current Events
When there is a big event happening, it’s the ideal time to seize the moment and find a creative way to weave it into your social media posts. If you can think of a fun and witty post in less than 30 seconds that is relevant to your brand, use it to bring your brand closer to that event that everybody is already talking about.
- Take Advantage of Trending Topics
Similar to utilizing current events is taking advantage of trending topics, as long as it’s relevant to you and your brand. Look at what’s trending on Twitter or Facebook and see how you can organically insert yourself into the conversation. Again, if it only takes you 30 seconds to come up with something, it’s well worth the time!
- Host Contests
People love to win things, and will often do whatever they need to do to win. Create a contest that offers an alluring prize, with simple entry guidelines. Once your audience is hooked on the end goal, make sure they have plenty of opportunities to engage with your brand along the way. By having a prize that is relevant to your brand, it’s a sure bet that those comments will start rolling in.
- Be Yourself
This cannot be stressed enough. BE YOU! Be authentic. Be your brand. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box and try something new, as long as it’s true to you and your core values. The moment you become too sales-focused, or you begin trying too hard, you will quickly lose the attention of your audience. Just have fun with it and indulge in the SOCIAL part of social media.
Final Notes
- When all else fails… don’t be afraid to ask your audience what THEY want to see! Your audience is not afraid to tell it like it is.
- If you have a post that is highly engaging, keep that engagement going by boosting the post! Even spending $5 will make an impact.
Your turn! Have you tried something new that brought on tons of engagement? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter!