How to start your Social Media Journey: Planning & Execution Steps to Successful Social Media Marketing
For every business – small or large and even individuals, presence on social media is important and critical for long-term success.
You can use social media platforms to spread your brand value proposition. Social media can truly help you build your brand and business.
So, if you are planning to start your social media journey, here is what you can do:
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Step 1: Clarify your social media goals
Based on your business and marketing objectives, you can clarify your social media goals. Social media presence can help you build your brand awareness, increase traffic to your website or store, drive sales and even enhance your employability. So choose wisely. Do not commit the mistake of choosing everything. Otherwise, you will achieve nothing.
Step 2: Choose the type of content that can help you achieve your goals
Now that you have your goals clear, it’s time to choose the type of content that you will be posting on social media platforms. Content can be varying or a mixture of whatever you feel speaks to your target audience and resonates with your brand.
You can post about yourself, your blogs, product information, your brand values, your strengths and so much more.
To ensure what suits you the best, sit down with a pen and paper and let your ideas flow.
Step 3: Cerebrate your content buckets
Once you have identified your goals and the kind of posts you want to create, it’s time to strategize your content. When you streamline your content with your goals, you would identify that a pattern emerges. This pattern will help you identify your needs and categorize the content. Make content buckets or content categories based on these patterns.
Step 4: Choose your priority social media platforms based on your skills and your target audience
The next crucial step is to identify which platform suits your goals the best. If you offer HR solutions or run a B2B business, LinkedIn is your best bet. If you sell products and have a business that sells visually appealing products, Instagram and Pinterest are the way to go. If you are into the tech business – adopt Twitter.
Secondly, you need to consider what is more convenient for you?
If you are planning to be on Instagram but written content best suits you, then sorry but that is not a good match! Opt for a platform based on your convenience and your target audience presence.
The easiest way to select the social media of your choice is to identify where your audiences spend their time. If you offer services to youngsters, Instagram, TikTok are popular platforms. However, your efforts will topple if you are active on Instagram and TikTok and your TG is 40+. Analyze your target audiences and platforms they are most active on.
Step 5: Choose your Brand Voice and Social Media Style
By now, you have many aspects figured out. These aspects will help you determine your voice. If your TG is young and Hip, slang and new words will help you connect with them. If your TG is elderly, choosing a serious and informative tone will please them. So pick your tone based on your TG and the platform you will be posting on. Do not forget that your tone must resonate with your brand identity as well!
Step 6: Be conscious of the Platform Algorithm
Now that you are all set to post – set realistic goals for yourself. Platforms promote content based on their algorithms. To gain a following on Instagram, you must post at least twice a day. Facebook will promote your content if it’s in long-form and helps the reader stay on Facebook for long. Trending on LinkedIn is easy with just 3-4 posts in a week. So create content based on platforms’ algorithms and your capabilities.
Step 7: Create a social media plan
To stay atop all your social media posts, create a plan and stick to it. Make a document and write down all your findings and plans. This will help you and your team to follow the plan and reap the best benefits.
Step 8: Create Original Content. Be Authentic. Speak your Mind
The last thing to keep in mind is to always stay authentic. Authenticity is all the rage these days, hence the birth of influencer marketing. The new generation “likes to keep it real”. Authentic and first-hand content will help you gauge more audience.
Step 9: Communicate and Engage with users
The best aspect of social media is that it gives real-time feedback. You will receive suggestions, compliments, complaints, reviews, and much more. You should engage with your audience. Appreciate their interaction and try to resolve their issues, if they present you with a problem. Being interactive helps increase engagement and builds a positive brand image.
Step 10: Communicate your opinion of trending topics
Plan ahead with your social media posts. But still, keep in slots for the latest trends. Platforms like Instagram promote your content if you are using their latest features and indulging in new trends. If you see a trend that resonates with your brand, jump the wagon and grab the opportunity!