Social Media Marketing Tips From Experts

Social media is constantly changing, and it can be exhausting trying to chase an algorithm and build up your followers and engagement. Rather than following trends and begging for attention, we’re going to help you approach social media with a solid social media marketing strategy. Because let’s be honest, no one wants their business to look thirsty on social media, am I right? 

Here’s the deal- When you're rocking the social media scene, treat your audience like your ride-or-die pals. Your content should be like the peanut butter to your brand's jelly, making your business goals and objectives a cakewalk while giving your target audience a front-row seat to the show of the year! 

Importance of Defining Your Target Audience 

Trying to conquer social media without defining your target audience is like trying to play darts blindfolded – you might hit the bullseye, but chances are, you'll end up throwing darts in the dark. Knowing your audience is the secret sauce that turns a social media strategy from a wild guess into a finely tuned symphony of likes, shares, and engagement.

Steps for How to Define Your Target Audience

1. Spy on Socials: Stalk your potential audience (in a non-creepy way) on social media platforms to understand their likes, dislikes, and whether they prefer cat memes or dog gifs.

2. Create and Awesome Avatar: Craft a persona for your ideal audience member – give them a name, hobbies, and maybe even a quirky obsession with llama yoga. The more detailed, the better!

3. Ask the Oracle (a.k.a. Analytics): Jump head first into the mystical world of analytics to find out the secret desires of your audience. It's like reading tea leaves, but with graphs and pie charts instead.

Business Goals and Objectives

So, what are your goals with social media? If you don’t have a goal, you’ll find yourself frantically throwing spaghetti at a wall, hoping it sticks. We have some news for you, honey. Spaghetti only sticks if it’s perfectly cooked. So take some time to cook those noodles before doing anything too wild. Practically speaking, that means writing down your goals and objectives for social media. Having a robust marketing strategy is a game changer.

You are unique and your business goals and objectives will be too. You should tailor your overall marketing strategy depending on your target audience. We took the liberty of putting together some examples to help get the ball rolling:

Social Media Marketing Goals and Objectives Examples

1. Increase Brand Awareness:

Goal: Make your brand the cool kid on the social media block.

Objectives:

• Get more followers than a cat meme account.
• Make your posts trendier than avocado toast.

2. Drive Traffic to Website:

Goal: Turn your website into the ultimate party spot through social media.

Objectives:

• Get people clicking on your posts like they're double-tapping cute puppy pics.
• Drive website visits like you're handing out virtual concert tickets.

3. Generate Leads:

Goal: Catch leads like a social media fishing champion.

Objectives:

• Get people signing up for newsletters faster than a flash sale on donuts.
• Make your contests so enticing, people willingly give up their email like it's the Wi-Fi password.

4. Increase Sales:

Goal: Turn social media into a cash register.

Objectives:

• Create promotions that sell like hotcakes at a brunch spot.
• Make online shopping so seamless, your audience will wonder how they ever lived without it.

5. Enhance Customer Engagement:

Goal: Make your brand the life of the social media party.

Objectives:

• Rack up comments, likes, and shares like they're VIP passes.
• Respond to customers faster than a pizza delivery on game night.

1. Establish Authority in the Industry:

Goal: Make your brand the Chuck Norris of your industry.

Objectives:

• Share insights that leave your audience saying, "Wow, they really know their stuff."
• Join industry discussions like a ninja jumping into action.

2. Monitor Brand Vibes:

Goal: Make people love your brand more than their grandma's cookies.

Objectives:

• Spread positivity like confetti at a surprise party.
• Turn negative feedback into opportunities to shine brighter than a shooting star.

3. Employee Advocacy:

Goal: Turn your employees into social media rockstars.

Objectives:

• Encourage staff to share company news like it's celebrity gossip.
• Create an employee advocacy program so awesome, they'll want to wear company swag to bed.

4. Community Building:

Goal: Build a community that's more fun than a theme park.

Objectives:

• Start social media groups that people want to join more than exclusive clubs.
• Encourage user-generated content so good, it'll make your brand blush.

5. Measure ROI:

Goal: Prove that your social media efforts are worth their weight in gold.

Objectives:

• Track metrics so closely, you’ll know if someone unfollows before they do.
• Analyze ROI like you're a detective solving a social media mystery.

Don’t forget to be SMART about it! Goals and objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) to make sure they actually make an impact in your overall business strategy.

Tips for Creating Social Media Marketing Content

At this point you have the treasure map to the gold aka your goals and objectives. You also have your audience zeroed in on. Now get ready to spice up your social media game with a buffet of content that'll make your audience hungry for more! Here's a scrumptious menu of content types to serve up

11 Epic Content Creation Ideas

1. Meme Madness:

• Spice up your feed with relatable memes. If laughter is the best medicine, memes are the magic potion that'll have your audience in stitches.

2. Behind-the-Scenes:

• Take your audience backstage! Share the magic behind your brand – the messy desks, the coffee spills, and the occasional office shenanigans.

3. How-to-Hack Videos:

• Become the MacGyver of your industry. Whip up short, snappy videos showcasing tips, tricks, and life hacks related to your products or services.

4. Interactive Polls and Surveys:

• Let your audience be the decision-makers. Throw in some polls and surveys – it's like letting them be the DJ at the social media party.

5. Storytelling Snippets:

• Craft mini-stories that pack a punch. Whether it's a success tale or a "lessons learned" saga, storytelling keeps your audience hooked.

6. Live Video Feasts:

• Go live and let the spontaneity flow! Host Q&A sessions, product launches, or just share a day in the life. It's reality TV, but starring your brand!

7. User-Generated Content Potluck:

• Let your audience shine! Encourage them to share their experiences, creations, or use your products. It's like a content potluck – everyone brings something to the table.

8. Visual Buffet with Infographics:

• Serve up information in bite-sized portions. Infographics are the visual feast your audience needs, making complex info as easy to digest as a piece of cake.

9. Challenges and Contests Fiesta:

• Challenge your audience to show off their skills or creativity. Contests create a buzz, turning your social media into a festival of engagement.

10. Throwback Thursday Nostalgia:

• Time-travel with your audience! Share nostalgic moments, whether it's a retro ad, an old office snapshot, or a blast from the past.

11. Inspirational Quote Soufflé:

• Sprinkle some motivation into your feed. Inspirational quotes are the soufflé of content – light, airy, and leaving your audience feeling uplifted.

Remember, mix and match these content delicacies, and you'll have a social media feast that leaves your audience licking their screens for seconds!

Using AI to Generate social media marketing content

Meet the wizard behind the social media curtain – AI, the magic wand of content creation! Think of AI as your digital sidekick, ready to turn your content dreams into reality. It's like having a genie, but instead of granting wishes, it conjures up killer captions and mesmerizing visuals.

1. Meme Munching AI:

• An AI that can generate memes faster than you can say "LOL." Say goodbye to writer's block; the meme munching AI has got your back.
• AI Programs: Imgflip Meme Generator, Imgbot

2. Storytelling Sorcery:

• Let the AI spin a yarn that'll leave your audience on the edge of their seats. It's like having a robot bard that knows exactly how to keep the crowd hooked.
• AI Program: OpenAI's GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models, ChatGPT

3. Visual Wizardry:

• Turn your ideas into a visual masterpiece with AI's artistic flair. It's like having Picasso as your virtual art assistant, minus the avant-garde mustache.
• AI Programs: Deep Dream by Google, RunwayML, DALL-E by OpenAI

4. Hashtag Alchemy:

• Cracking the hashtag code has never been easier. Let AI sprinkle its algorithmic magic to find the trendiest tags that'll catapult your content to the social media stratosphere.
• AI Programs: RiteTag, Flick, Hashtagify

5. Personalized Potion Crafting:

• AI isn't just a one-size-fits-all magician; it tailors content like a bespoke suit. Get ready for personalized potions that resonate with each member of your audience.
• AI Programs: Boomtrain, Optimizely

6. Emoji Enchantment:

• Need to express more than words can say? AI's got an emoji for every mood. It's like having an emoji wizard at your beck and call.
• AI Program: Emoji Scavenger Hunt, AI Emoji Generator

7. Trendspotting Time-Travel:

• AI doesn't just predict trends; it practically time-travels to bring you the next big thing. Stay ahead of the curve with a virtual crystal ball that's never wrong.
• AI Programs: Google Trends, Trendspottr

8. Chatbot Comedy Hour:

• Unleash the humor with AI-powered chatbots that reply faster than a stand-up comedian in a pun competition. Your audience will be ROFL-ing in no time.‍
• AI Programs: Dialogflow, Chatbot.com, SnatchBot

Remember, with AI as your content co-conspirator, the social media realm is yours to conquer. Wave your digital wand, summon the AI spirits, and let the content enchantment begin! 

AI is always evolving, so check new AI tools, programs, and features regularly. There are plenty of options out there. Explore different options to discover which tools you vibe best with.

Social Media Marketing Advice from Experts

Leverage User Data for Personalized Content:

• Become the Sherlock of social media – analyze user data like it's a detective case. Craft personalized content so spot-on, your audience will think you've been peeking at their dream journals!

Cross-Promotion Strategies:

• Cross-promotion isn't a maze; it's your Marauder's Map to broader reach. Partner with fellow wizards in your niche, and together, you'll create a magical alliance that Voldemort would envy.

Utilize Hashtags Effectively:

• Think of hashtags as your magical spells – wield them wisely, and watch your content soar to trending heights. Just remember, #WingardiumLeviosa for visibility!

Pay to Play on Social Media

You‘re probably wondering when you should boost social media posts, right? 

If you’ve just started a new social media account, we recommend waiting a few months before boosting content. Post content consistently and see what people connect with organically before you start throwing your money around. We know you’re a baller, but let’s put that money to good use. 

Also, you don’t want to create ads that lead people to a blank or sparse account. Make sure you have plenty of compelling content that will draw your audience in and give them a reason to stick around. 

Back to the question: When should you boost social media posts? Boost posts when your audience is most active. Whether it's during lunch breaks, cozy evenings, or those late-night owl hours, timing is everything! You can find this information in the insights section of your business social media account.

Do's for Social Media Advertising:

1. Define Clear Objectives:

• Do set specific goals for your ad campaign. Whether it's increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or generating leads, having clear objectives will guide your strategy.

2. Know Your Audience:

• Do target your ads to a specific and relevant audience. Utilize demographic information, interests, and behaviors to ensure your ads reach the right people.

3. Compelling Visuals and Copy:

• Do invest time and effort in creating eye-catching visuals and compelling ad copy. Make sure your content is aligned with your brand and resonates with your target audience.

4. A/B Testing:

• Do experiment with A/B testing to understand what works best for your audience. Test different ad creatives, headlines, and targeting options to optimize performance.

5. Utilize Analytics:

• Do track and analyze the performance of your ads. Use insights from analytics to refine your strategy, understand what resonates with your audience, and make data-driven decisions.

Don'ts for Social Media Advertising:

1. Ignoring Platform Guidelines:

• Don't disregard the guidelines of the social media platforms. Each platform has its rules, and violating them can result in penalties such as ad disapproval or account suspension.

2. Overlooking Mobile Optimization:

• Don't forget to optimize your ads for mobile users. Many users access social media on mobile devices, so ensure your ads look great and function well on smartphones and tablets.

3. Ignoring Negative Feedback:

• Don't ignore negative comments or feedback on your ads. Address concerns or issues promptly and professionally to maintain a positive brand image.

4. Neglecting Landing Pages:

• Don't direct users to irrelevant or poorly designed landing pages. Ensure that the landing pages are consistent with the ad content and provide a seamless user experience.

5. Ignoring Budget Management:

• Don't set and forget your ad budget. Regularly monitor your spending, adjust bids based on performance, and make sure that your budget aligns with your overall marketing strategy.

Social media advertising is like a never-ending rollercoaster ride. You've got to be as savvy as a wise old owl about changes, trends, and the mystical ways of user behavior. 

Social Media Tools of the Trade 

Apps for Posting, Editing, and Scheduling

You can find tools and apps to help you with just about anything these days. Social media marketing is no exception. We’ve broken down popular social media tools to do your bidding for you.

Posting Apps for Optimal Reach:

• Buffer: It hammers out your posts across various platforms, ensuring they reach far and wide like Captain America’s favorite tool, the Mjolnir.
• Hootsuite: Captain America would indeed salute the strategic planning prowess of Hootsuite as it propels your content to superhero status.

Editing Tools for Visually Appealing Content:

• Canva: The art wand of editing tools, turning your visuals into masterpieces that would make Picasso green with envy.
• Adobe Spark: This visual wizard that blends simplicity with sophistication. Turn your social media content into a masterpiece.

Scheduling Apps for Time Efficiency:

• Later: Later allows you to schedule posts efficiently across multiple platforms, giving you control over when your content appears.
• CoSchedule: Efficient scheduling is its superpower, making you more time-efficient than Hermione managing a library full of books.
• Now, unleash the magic with these apps, social media wizards! May your content be as legendary as a never-ending potion of engagement!

Lessons Learned

Bravo, social media queens and kings! Now that we've shared the secrets of the enchanted social media kingdom, it's time to bring the magic to your own realm. If you're ready to level up your social media game, why not embark on a quest with Always Fresh? 

Whether you're dreaming of a social media marketing retainer to keep the magic flowing consistently or want to start with a social media audit, we're here for you! Reach out, and let's turn your social media presence into a legendary tale shared for generations to come!

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