Social media marketing is not as easy as you think. It’s not just as simple as posting a few times on Facebook, Linkedin, or Instagram. Traffic won’t just automatically come. It is best if you spend valuable time to do it properly.
Why do you need to care? Social media traffic is the biggest referrer of traffic available to you. 20% or more of your traffic could come from Facebook.
You might think that these numbers are relatively small, but when you consider the quality of traffic that this brings – engaged, already-converted, and fans of your brand – it’s worth putting the effort. And this will only grow! The more you engage and interact with your audience, the more growth you’ll see.
So how do you get started?
Identify Your Goals
It is always smart to start with a set goal/s in mind. It is highly crucial to identify where your goals and aspirations are even before starting with the planning and strategizing. The world of social media strategy is no different. Be specific and realistic with your goals, as these may serve as your motivation through the journey as well.
Be Consistent!
Consistency is key. Provide relevant posts and make sure you keep it up. Don’t just post for one day; keep posting regularly to keep your audience happy.
If you’re struggling to work out what to post, check out some social media calendars and your competitors and see what they are doing. This will give you ideas for your content but also provide your relevant subjects or themes for each day.
Identify Who Your Audience Is
Look at your current followers. This will give you a good understanding of who your target audience is. Identify the demographics of your followers and also think about if you’re not reaching the people you might want to be here too.
Some of the factors you should keep in mind with regards to your audience:
- Age
- Gender
- Location / where they live
- Income levels
- Education
- Marital Status
- Family with kids / no kids
- Interests
Choose Which Channels Work Best For You
Not all social media channels will work for you. Look at your current results and see what is working best currently – make sure to investigate not only the engagement of your posts but also its sales.
You also need to make sure that your audience is using the social media channel you are targeting. For example, Snapchat would not work for older audiences where Facebook works well for 25-50-year-olds.
Create a Plethora Of Content
Collect and write content that works for your audience. Content aren’t just blog posts or written content. You can also create:
- Photos
- Quotes
- Jokes
- Quick tips
- Infographics
- Handy giveaways
Build Your Followers
It doesn’t just stop with sharing content. You need to engage with your audience. Ask questions and respond to those who answer.
Make sure also to follow others and write and respond to their content too. If you want people to find you, you must be willing to interact with others.
Consider Automation
To help keep your content in order, think about an automation tool. We have reviewed a few already to get you started. This way, you can schedule posts at the best time for engagement and keep a backlog of posts on the go.
Let’s be clear, though. You can’t just post and stay silent. You need to engage still on these posts and also add posts live here and there. Automation makes things a little easier.
Drive Traffic To Your Posts
Help drive more traffic to your posts by sharing these on your personal accounts through influencers, sharing in groups, and through other channels such as Reddit or Medium.
Track And Assess What Works
Your strategy is almost complete. Once you’ve got a steady rhythm, you need to keep checking in and seeing what has worked well for you. By doing this, you can continue to grow and making sure you are keeping your audience happy.
Do Not Hesitate To Ask For Help
One big mistake online entrepreneurs make is treating social media marketing as something incredibly easy. They treat it lightly, and as soon as they have posted something within their social media profiles for the day, they already think that the job is done. However, it goes much deeper than many of us realise, as previously established above. That is why if you feel as if you don’t have the time or the skill, do not be afraid to invest in a professional in the field to handle your social media strategy.
Need some help with managing your social media? Get in touch with Design Grid Digital Marketing now.
