Struggling to keep your social media channels active? We get it! Between managing the SM accounts of our clients, creating websites and running ad campaigns, we know how easy it is for your social accounts to slip down the priority list… but we also know how important it is to keep them alive and engaging!
Why SM Matters
Here are a few quick stats to light a fire under your bum if you’re currently neglecting your fans.
- Last year, there were 3.5 billion active social media users worldwide – around 45% of the world’s population.
- 11 new people start using social media every second.
- Around 90% of Millennials, 77% of Generation X and 48% of Baby Boomers actively engage with social media.
- Each person spends an average of 2 hours and 22 minutes on social networks and messaging.
- 54% of social browsers use social media to research products.
- 71% of consumers who’ve had a good social media service experience with a brand are likely to recommend it to others.
Which Platform/s Should You Be Focusing On?
One of the key reasons business owners give up on keeping their social media presence active is because they’re spread too thin. And with so many channels to choose from – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter, Tik Tok – it can be hard to know which platform is going to deliver the best results for your business.
Don’t try and be across everything. SM isn’t one size fits all, and what works for one business isn’t necessarily going to work for another.
Instead, think about your target consumer/ client and the platform they’re most engaged with. Also consider your offering. Are you B2B or B2C? Do you offer a service or a product? Is your product highly visual, or is a practical and functional?
While Facebook sends more website referral traffic than any other social media network, the platform no longer resonates with younger demographics and content has more of a news and entertainment focus. LinkedIn is geared towards professionals, but Kiwis tend to use sporadically. Instagram is perfect for strong visual brands and products, but requires a bigger commitment in terms of content given the fast-moving nature of its feed.
Don’t dilute your message. If you currently have business accounts on more than 3 social platforms, consider drilling down to the one or two platforms that are best suited to your business and target audience. Focusing your attention on one relevant and appropriate platform, and doing well, will deliver far greater results than trying to trying to reach everyone across everything.
70 Post Ideas
If coming up with content ideas makes social media marketing feel harder than it has to be, we’ve compiled a bunch of ideas you can use year-round!
- Take a snap at a client meeting
- Share your favourite resources
- Host a fans-only sale or offer
- Celebrate your business milestones (5 years in business, 20K likes on FB)
- Show you’re personable with a photo of your kids or pets
- Share FREE advice or hot tips relevant to your service or industry
- Post something that highlights your company culture
- Post a case study
- Share your favourite book
- Share user generated content like photos you’ve been sent
- Host a poll
- Share a joke or meme
- Ask, this or that?Have your fans weigh in with their preference on something big or small
- Share an Infographic
- Share a giveaway
- Talk about a charity you’ve partnered with or are donating to
- Share industry news
- Demonstrate how your products are made
- Host a Q & A with a guest
- Remind your audience that there are REAL people behind your brand with fun facts
- Showcase your city and local hangouts
- Make online customers feel more connected with a video walk-through of your premises
- Post a how-to or tutorial
- Tease or preview a new product/ service with a sneak peek
- Let customers know what your goal is for the next year
- Ask your customers how they found you
- Share a quote that inspires you
- Remind people what you sell and why
- Share a selfie!
- Post something on your bucket list
- Give a shout-out to a client, celebrating their success
- Ask a question
- Host a LIVE coaching session
- Share a shelfie!
- Give your fans a video product demonstration
- Share a funny or insight-seeking ‘fill in the blank’ and have your fans respond
- Host a #AMA (Ask Me Anything)
- GO LIVE – even just to say hi or give thanks!
- Answer your customers’ FAQs
- Reshare a throwback photo, highlighting your company history
- Post about an event you’re hosting or attending
- Promote your partners
- Take your customers behind the scenes with candid shots of your team
- Host a fancy-dress day at the office and share pics
- Share a little-known product feature or fact
- Share a Gif
- Make your fans lives better with a helpful hack or time/ money saving tip
- Share a personal story
- Holiday snaps! Show fans what you’re up to while you’re on a break
- Share a blog post
- Introduce new team members
- Share an article your audience will find useful
- Thank your fans!
- Share a video of someone USING your product
- Take a break (coffee, dinner, a walk in the park) and show your fans
- Remind people who you are and how you got started
- Let people know which common mistakes to avoid
- Share Before and After photos
- Highlight customer testimonials and reviews
- Check out Days of the Year and let your fans know how you’re celebrating
- Post a wacky office pic and ask your fans to caption it
- Create or share an unboxing video
- Recruit for new employees, expressions of interest, or collaborators
- Ask your fabs, would you rather…?
- Share your opinions/ insights on industry news
- Ask for a recommendation from your fans
- Give customers a glimpse of work in progress
- Recipes! Does one of your team members make a killer chocolate cake? Share a pic with their recipe for your fans
- Behind the scenes footage at events or photoshoots
- Give your fans a peak at client gifts before they’re sent out
When & How Often Should I Post?
Ahhh, the age-old question.
According to Sprout Social, the best time to post on Facebook is weekdays between 10am and 3pm, with Wednesdays (on average) getting the most engagement. The best times to post on Instagram are Wednesday at 11am and Friday from 10-11am. On both platforms, Sunday sees the least amount of engagement…
That being said – don’t get too hung up on the when. If you’re out and about and want to share a photo at 4pm on a Friday (maybe from the pub, not judgement here!) then go ahead and post that pic! If you’re planning your posts in advance and scheduling them for the month ahead, spread your posts out over the week and take note of the times YOUR fans are most engaged with your content.
How often you post really comes down to your product/ service, your target market, and the platform you’re using. A super visual homewares brand may find it useful posting 5 photos EVERY DAY to Instagram, while a service-based business may get the same kind of leverage sharing 3 photos, videos or tips to Facebook each week. Finding the right balance between keeping your brand front of mind and not annoying your fans with too much content (yes, that can ALSO be a thing) is the sweet spot.
If in doubt, get in touch with our team!