Social media is an ever-evolving landscape, and using it effectively is becoming a crucial part of many brands’ strategy. While it can seem hard to keep up with how often the major platforms are evolving, don’t let that deter you! The basics are all still the same, no matter how often the top platforms, their algorithms and the way that users are verified are changed. Follow these do’s and don’ts, and you can solidify your social media in no time.
Do: Figure out your tone.
If you want to find success in social media, you need to be consistent in your messaging. Decide how you want to come across to your audience. Are you a calm, caring resource for your community? Do you use social media to boast about what you do? Will you focus on sassy comparisons with other brands? Start by answering questions like these to develop your tone.
Don’t: Expect short-term success.
Social media isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. When starting, don’t get disheartened by lower engagement! Remember, social media is controlled by algorithms. The only way to start getting better numbers is to post consistently. That means creating a schedule, sticking to it and watching as the investment starts to pay off. You’ll see more success as you put in more work, so make sure your eyes are on the long-term prize.
Do: Create a strategy.
Treat your social media accounts like you would any other major piece of marketing! You want to think about goals, timelines and audience. The more you think through what you’ll be posting and when, the more likely you are to see success on your accounts. Start with a content calendar, mapping out what you want to post and when. Develop and follow that schedule, making changes to it to match what you see working.
Don’t: Lose access to accounts.
Keeping access to your social media accounts may seem like a no-brainer. However, there are a lot of ways to lose access that you may not consider until it’s too late. Accounts tied to an employee’s email are easy to lose. If that employee leaves, your accounts might too. Similarly, if you have a third party assist in creating your accounts, make sure that you have FULL access to your accounts and the emails they’re associated with.
Do: Have fun!
Social media is meant to be a fun and engaging place. Stressing over the little stuff isn’t going to be helpful, so step back, take a breath and remember that you’re doing great. Getting started is half the battle. Don’t worry if something you post doesn’t go super viral – instead, learn from that! You get to post as often or as little as you want. Use that to your advantage. Post as much as you want, find out what works and learn from what didn’t take off. Or make your life even easier by getting help with your accounts. If you’ve got big ideas but don’t have the resources to make them happen, check out our social media services! No matter your stage in the social media journey, image.works is here to help!