You know you need to invest in social media marketing, but how do you decide which platform, which format, and what content to use?
Getting more familiar with your platforms and the types of factors you should keep in mind when posting is a good start.
Take a look at these tips for creating a powerful social media post:
Know Your Platforms.
While YouTube and Facebook remain the kings of social media platforms, with 73% and 68% of adults using the sites, respectively, Instagram has risen among the ranks in recent years to nab the third place, with 35% of adults logging in.
Here are a few things you might want to know for a broad overview of social media platforms:
While user numbers have leveled off since 2016, Facebook remains powerful. Of the 68% of adults who use it, 74% log in on a daily basis. It may be a good site for engaging with older audiences because its 65+ group has more than doubled since 2012, while only about half of teens use the site.
YouTube
Did you know that YouTube is the second-largest search engine? More than 30 billion people use the site daily, and there are nine billion active users. Among 18 to 49-year-olds, 80% watch YouTube at least once a month, and 96% of American teens watch YouTube videos.
While one billion people use Instagram, 121 million of those are in the United States. Among American users, 59% are under the age of 30, and 72% of them use Instagram daily. The ratio of male to female users is roughly even.
Know Your Audience.
Even if you have a favorite social media platform, that may not be where your target audience spends time. Determining the preferred platform of your audience may involve surveying current customers, doing a little sleuthing to see where competitors are posting, and maybe some trial and error.
You should start by knowing some things about your target audience, including their age, gender, income, and hobbies. Post content that is engaging, with a mix of formats, including informational posts, conversation starters, and entertainment.
Incorporate Visual Elements.
Social media users are pummeled with online “noise,” and your task is to create posts that stand out in the noise. You’ll need high quality content that meets your audience’s needs, and most importantly, grabs their attention.
This means visual elements. You need a mix of live and recorded video, images, and quotes or customer reviews that are captivating your audience and are consistent with your brand messaging.
Don’t Miss the CTA.
Your call to action (CTA) is a critical part of a social post that is often forgotten. Use your post to lead into the appropriate CTA, and then clearly tell your audience what you would like them to do next. Your CTA should have a logical connection to the goals you’re trying to reach through social media.
For instance, if you’re trying to boost brand awareness, your CTA may involve an invitation to share your post or subscribe to your newsletter. If you’re trying to generate more sales, you’ll invite your audience to learn more through a product video. Tell your audience exactly what they should do next; they want to know.
When it's all said and done, understand that social media is a moving target. The absolute best way to stay on top of all of your marketing is to have a system that allows you to track and understand your engagement. Schedule a demo at DirectMail.io to learn how we can help you stay ahead of your social media marketing.
