8 Beginner Social Media Marketing Tips

Social media is an ever-changing medium – with new platforms and updates rolling out constantly. But it’s also a great way to connect with your fan base on a more direct level – to engage, answer questions, and get real time, crowdsourced feedback on your product or destination. I know it can be tricky to keep up with the digital world. So here are 8 beginner social media marketing tips that will serve you well, now and in the future. 

1. Keep it short.

   The KISS (keep it simple, silly) rule is still king. People don’t want to read paragraphs of text from the businesses they follow- they have their grandmothers for that. Remember that each post should have a focus, and get right to the point.

2. Make it visual.

   More than just eye-catching, it needs to be thumb-stopping. Shaky, lowlight, low-res photos just won’t cut it. If you don’t have the photos you want, crowd-source and repost them (but don’t forget to give credit). According to a recent study “when people read information, they’re likely to remember only 10% of that information three days later. However, if a relevant image is paired with that same information, people retained 65% of the info” – meaning that photos are key.

3. Know your audience.

   Don’t make it too niche, but at the same time don’t blindly throw things at a wall to see what sticks. Know who follows you, and know their habits. Are they online at 7:30 am or 3:30 pm? Do they like questions or exclamations? Facebook stores all of this data for you through your business page and ad account. A little research goes a long way.

4. Have a call to action.

   What do you want your audience to do when they see your tweet, or Facebook ad, or Instagram photo? Don’t expect them to know what you are asking. Include a direct ask, a button (learn more or buy now) and instructions on how to complete the task.

5. Monitor, constantly.

   Your posts don’t exist in a vacuum. Pay attention to the relevancy score of your ad, and make tweaks as necessary. Watch your reviews for unhappy (or very happy) customers. Know how people are engaging with your channels and how to change or increase response.

6. Engage when possible.

   If people are taking the time to comment or like your post, find ways to engage with them. Like their comment, reply to a happy (or unhappy) comment and answer their questions about the product or service. Let your audience know there’s a real person on the other end of the page who cares about them.

7. Be flexible.

   Having a plan is important, but don’t be afraid to deviate from that plan. Take regular stock of your most engaging posts and repeat the topics, tone, or style that is working. Your audience may surprise you from time to time, so A/B testing is a great way to gauge reactions if you’re unsure.

8. Have fun!

   Social media is a lot of work, and can be frustrating at times- but if you’re not having fun with it, your audience won’t either. Get creative with your posts, ads, photos, contests, and more. Social media is an unprecedented way to reach your audiences and consumers, and be on their level- so don’t forget to play!