5 ways to get the most out of social media marketing

Social media is undoubtedly one of the biggest industries in the world with over 2 billion people connected on a social media platform. There are multiple different platforms and Instagram and Twitter are 2 of the most popular. Instagram is a visual platform where users can share image and video content with their followers and Twitter is a text-based app where users can express their thoughts and opinions in 140 characters.

Each social media platform is home to its unique audience and there is so much to learn about social media marketing. Brands and businesses can unlock the best practices and this article will tap into some of the best things to do for social media marketing. 

Research your audience 

Your target audience on social media is important because these are the specific group of people who you want your content to reach because they are the most likely to have an interest in your content. To research your target audience, you need to gather data on your existing social media audience such as their age, location, spending power, and interests.

You can gather this information by looking at your social media analytics and analyzing this information will allow you to determine the demographic that is your most engaged social media audience. By researching your target audience, you will be able to tweak your marketing strategy to appeal to them the most and you can produce content that will be well received. 

Set benchmarks

Goals are very important because they give you a sense of direction and when you intentionally set goals and objectives, you have a higher chance of achieving them. Your goal is your desired outcome and it can be anything from gaining more followers, generating more engagement, or producing better quality content. The best way to plan social media goals is to use the S.M.A.R.T analysis which means to set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

You should also gather data about your audience, conduct a competitive analysis and decide which social media networks you want to use. If you want to speed things up, there are many tools and services available for all social media platforms. For example, if you’re selling on Facebook, you can purchase reviews for your products and this will boost your business in no time. By planning your goals you gain a better understanding of your expectations and you can set a realistic timeline for achieving your specific goals. 

Use a content calendar 

Content calendars are a great asset to any social media marketing strategy. If you have trouble being consistent online or perhaps you just don’t have time to have a dedicated social media presence, then a content calendar is something to consider because it organizes and schedules your content so that you can remain consistent on social media. Content calendars usually include your upcoming posts, status updates, any promotional activity, and partnerships. The benefits of this are that it saves you a lot of time, helps you stay organized, and provides a consistent presence online.

Pick the right platform 

Before you can start marketing on social media, you need to decide which platform you want to use. The top social media platforms are:

• Facebook: This platform allows for visual and written content and is mainly used by the older generations. 
• Twitter: Twitter is used primarily for written content but visual content does well too. This platform is most popular with people between the ages of 24-25 years old. 
• Instagram: This platform is visual and there are influencers that you can use if you market here and just like Twitter, this platform is dominated by users aged 24-35 years old. 
• TikTok: This app is video-based only and is mostly used by generation Z and millennials. 

The great thing about platforms such as TikTok and Instagram is that they have Influencer marketing and you can have paid ads and sponsored posts. With TikTok, you are limited to only one type of content compared to the others where you can choose between text or visual.

However, you mustn’t forget that there are various tools out there that will help you grow your business in a short period, like buying likes and followers. For example, Earthweb has listed the best sites to buy Facebook likes & followers, so you should consider that whenever you’re feeling your page isn’t getting the attention you’re after. Finally, choosing the right platform will determine the effectiveness of your strategy. 

Repurposing content

To repurpose content means to recycle your old content by reposting it. For example, reposting a video that generated a lot of views. The benefit of doing this is that it allows people who missed your content to see it and it gives your content an SEO boost while reinforcing your brand’s message.