Top 5 Tips to Establish Your Social Media Accounts

Social media is an important part of every business' marketing strategy in 2022, and it is arguably becoming more important every day.

However, there are so many different types of social media sites, strategies and techniques to use, and it can become overwhelming very quickly. Social networks can include a variety of websites and apps, including but not limited to:

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Tik Tok

• Snapchat

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• WhatsApp

• YouTube

In this blog, I am going to share my top 5 tips to establish your social media platforms, that will not only be functional, but go beyond your expectations and create a professional feel for your target audience.

1. Pick the Correct Social Media sites for YOUR business

There are many elements to social media marketing that are important, that many people forget about when they startup their social networks. Many businesses believe that being on social media means being on EVERY social media platform, which is not the best for your business. It is not only more time consuming, but can also be detrimental to your branding. You want a strong presence that establishes your popularity and knowledge of the field, hence there is no point having several social media sites if they have 0 followers.

It's also important to consider your target market when creating your social media sites. If your business is targeted towards young people, for example, it is a good idea to use the sites that they are on the most.

These websites include the likes of Tik Tok and Instagram. Other sites, such as Facebook or Tumblr, should be considered more heavily as to whether they are worth investing in.

Having an 'outdated' presence on a 'random' social media site can give your target market the impression that your brand is outdated.

2. Consider your TARGET MARKET

Your business' social channels should consider your target market (and the smaller niche of users) across all of your social media channels.

It is important to consider your social media platforms very carefully. Just because Facebook is one of the largest sites in the world does not mean it will benefit your branding greatly. If your customers aren't on the platform, there is no point in trying to establish a presence. It's like feeding fish food to a pond of lilies.

If you are a large business, with several different target audiences, you may want to consider how to appeal to each of your target audiences on the different platforms.

Young people prefer Tik Tok and Instagram, meanwhile older people may prefer Facebook. Professionals and small business owners may prefer to interact with your brand on a site such as LinkedIn. Each of these websites is different in terms of content and captions. You may want to consider different content for each, including videos, quotes, testimonials, and text posts.

The way you talk on each of these sites would also be different. LinkedIn is for business professionals, who care about and value company culture and a brand's online presence. However, on Instagram customers prefer to see the latest trends and influencer marketing. It is hard to appeal to Instagram's users through long text posts, when they are used to the new 'short-form content' of Reels.

3. Consider TONE

Tone is important no matter what your business goals are, or what you are trying to achieve. The tone that you use on LinkedIn should further develop your brand's professionalism, while also appealing to potential customers and new followers.

It's also important to consider that when you startup, you should keep a consistent tone that stays across your social media account. This consistency will help keep your followers engaged with your content.

4. Social Media STRATEGY

It's important to remember that your brand strategy should always revolve around how your brand will improve the life of your customer. Including benefits that make people aware of what your brand has to offer, and what makes it different to what's already out there.

Your social media strategy is a plan that outlines your social media goals, the tactics used to achieve them and metrics tracked to measure performance. You should be aware of which posts do 'well', and which posts don't. If you see a pattern emerge, you should try to do what works. This can save time in the future, and creates guaranteed successful posts in the future.

This strategy should also depend on the social media platform. I always encourage my clients to create Instagram Reels as one of their social media posts for the week, as they are engaging to the audience and pushed by Instagram itself.

For more information on Instagram reels, here is my previous blog post: https://www.socialmediaservicesperth.com/post/this-is-your-first-post

5. Content CALENDAR and 'post types'

One of the most important aspects of a social media startup is figuring out what you're going to post, and when. Creating a content calendar is a great way to ensure that you are posting consistently, and that it is good quality content. Ensuring that your digital marketing strategy follows my top three important 'post types' is also important to ensure your audience is connected to your brand, and wants to follow and interact with your business. Here are three 'post types' that I like to use when creating brand awareness for my clients.

Connection

• This post encourages a connection from your brand to the audience. I like to think of it as a 'face to face' communication, where your audience sees the human side of your brand.

• Good posts can include photos of employee Christmas dinners, happy customers enjoying the product, and Reels showing the behind the scenes of the business in the eyes of an employee.

Advertising

• This is a direct advertising post, which explains why your brand is better than the competition. In digital marketing, many people assume that social media should just be these posts, however, it's important to have all three to establish a connection to the brand, rather than perceiving it as a 'free advertising' opportunity. People want to connect and support your business, see your constant, boring advertising.

• Advertising posts can include drink or dinner specials, online coupon codes, opening hours, new releases or other advertisements.

Value and Expertise

• At the end of the day, your customer is on social media to be entertained, or educated. This is social media we're talking about, not traditional, unstoppable ads that everyone hates. You should provide value to your audience, and supply them with things that they want to know, either about your brand, or your industry.

• For example, you may want to show a secret recipe for a cocktail, teach your audience something new, or provide general entertainment in your posts (I like to do this through Reels).

If you would like a professional hand with your social media startup, I am open to work and would love to help blow up your brand and elevate it to the next level. Contact me via email (jesssaldridge@gmail.com) or via my contact page on the home page.

Which tip do you think will benefit your brand's social media the most?

Leave any comments or question in the comments section below, I will reply as soon as possible.