Social media is everything to a business or brand trying to expand and grow. Having an effective social media marketing plan can be the difference between a brand that thrives and one that flops.
But how do you go about making a social media marketing strategy?
Digital natives seem to know the space like the back of their hands, but if you’re not in this group, how do you keep up?
We’re here to help.
Here’s our brief guide on crafting a social media marketing plan that works for you and your brand.
Figure Out Your Intentions
When you’re a social media beginner (or even when you’re making big changes) you need to determine what you actually want to do with your accounts.
Are you looking to simply gain more followers? Is there some form of conversion that you’re looking for?
Maybe this is just a personal brand, and if so, what image do you want to portray?
Going in hot without any idea of what your goals are isn’t going to be helpful. You need to figure this part out first.
Consider Your Current Online Network
What platforms are you already using? What kind of posts are you making? Can you build from this foundation, or are you better off starting over?
Different brand identities are going to benefit from different platforms. At the very least, though, you should have the top 3: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Some people go overboard before they know what they’re trying to do. They try to use TikTok and Snapchat and come off as out of touch. Sticking with the main 3 until you have your strategy down is going to help you.
Determine Your Target
Who is your target demographic?
Are you aiming for young women? Teenagers of all genders? Middle-aged adults?
The answer to this question will help move your social marketing strategy forward. This will determine the things that you post and the platforms that you use most often.
Create Content That Works
Do some preliminary research to determine what content tends to be successful online. Note: you can not force viral content. Millennials and Gen Z know when they’re being marketed to.
Instead, focus on content that accurately represents you and your brand identity. Source (or take) photos that are well-edited and appealing. Make captions short enough that they seem shareable.
Videos are successful across the platforms, as are beautiful photos and infographics.
Make sure to take advantage of hashtags and geotags to boost your engagement.
Track Your Progress
What good is a strategy if you aren’t checking in to see if it’s working?
You should always be tracking and analyzing your growth and conversions from your social media channels. When something isn’t working out the way that you’d like, it’s easy to shift gears when you catch it early.
How’s Your Social Media Marketing Plan?
Does your social media marketing plan need some work? You’re not alone. It’s tough making a plan that works. It’s not as easy as just posting every so often and hoping for the best.
If this all seems like too much, or you just don’t know where to start, we can help. Visit our site to have a little chat with us about where you want to take your brand.
