In case you haven’t noticed, social media is constantly changing. From the user interface to new channels developing daily, social media is far from a complacent form of a communication. I tell our customers this often, because clearly these changes affect how we use social media as a marketing tool. As we move further into 2017, here are three things to know about social media.
Posting content is not enough. No one will read a blog or social media update just because you wrote it. The ‘build it and they will come’ days are over. Data on the web is on the rise and will increase 500% by the year 2020. The reality is that content creation is only the starting point. That content must be amplified – ignited. It must move! That means it needs to be high-quality, it needs to have a purpose, and it needs to be shared in order to reach the eyeballs of the people who will buy your product or service. I offer some tips for amplifying content in this blog.
Plan to spend a few bucks. It’s a pay-to-play in this saturated social media space. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot to ensure that your content is seen, especially with simple things like Facebook boosting (check out the custom audience options). Fortunately, we have a team member who specializes in this arena, so send us a message if you want more information. Also consider sponsored content in online publications or paid social media shout-outs from influencers. You don’t have to break the bank, but you do want to be sure that your dollars are spent on reaching your target audience. It’s critical to have a strategy in finding the right outlet and the right audience.
Flexibility is a must. As social media evolves, we must evolve with it. We need to watch what’s happening and pivot, as needed. At #Strella Social Media, we changed our quarterly reporting system to a monthly dashboard in order to better serve our clients in this ever-changing industry. I’m not talking about bandwagon trends, either. It’s necessary to continually evaluate where your target is going, how they are responding to your content on various outlets and how you can best reach them in this crowded social media space.
I see these three things as necessary and I believe they will only escalate as social media continues to expand. My hope is that we can educate businesses to understand that complacency is not an option if they want to make a lasting impact with social media marketing.
