Keeping up with fast-moving trends on social media can be difficult and overwhelming. While hopping on the latest Twitter trend might boost your following, the most solid advice we can give you is to focus on your branding across platforms. 

These are our four tips for social media marketing this year.

1. Set realistic goals 

The first tip for social media marketing doesn’t actually have anything to do with social media. Before you even think about what or when to post, we need to set some goals! And not just any goals – SMART goals. 

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based. The more specific your goals are the more realistic they are. Setting vague goals only makes it harder for you to methodically plan out how to reach them. 

For goal-setting, think about what areas of your business you want to focus on and improve. Maybe you want to grow your following on Facebook or maybe you want to increase engagement. Once you have that figured out, give yourself a set time period to achieve it. 

Then, think about how to achieve them. For example: if your goal is to gain 200 followers on Instagram in 6 months, you might start by setting up a content calendar, posting more consistently, and utilizing a hashtag strategy. 

Finally, FOLLOW YOUR PLAN! Don’t get distracted — or disappointed — sticking to your plan will help set you up for success. 

2. Share user-generated content 

User-generated content is any content that has been posted by users of a brand anywhere online. Sharing user-generated content is a great way to connect with your audience and foster a welcoming environment. It also gives your brand a new life and boosts your brand reputation! 92% of consumers trust organic, user-generated content more than they trust traditional advertising.

So, the next time you host an event, sell a product, or launch a campaign, search your tags and mentions and share some content from your audience. 

3. Create engaging social content

Theme: Humans are visual creatures (we like pretty things!). One way to increase engagement and followers on social media is by having a pretty theme or following a pattern, especially on Instagram. A beautifully curated feed is unbeatable and giving your brand a cohesive feel or aesthetic makes it memorable for your followers. 

Video content: With the boom of TikTok and now Instagram Reels, short-form videos continue to do really well. If you’re not a TikTok pro, don’t worry! Integrating any kind of video content to your Facebook or Instagram feed – relevant to your business – helps shake things up. 

You can find free stock videos on any topic here: pexels.com.

Graphics: Along with video content, social media graphics across platforms also have high engagement rates. Social media graphics are highly effective at spreading information in a clean and shareable way. 

Not a graphic designer? Check out our Beginners Guide to Social Media Graphics for tips and downloadable Canva templates. 

4. Be culturally aware

Your social media platforms are a reflection of you and your brand. Content posted on social media reaches people from all over the world and from all walks of life and you don’t want to turn people away from your business. It is so important to not only be aware of what’s going on in the world around us, but to also be welcoming. 

Using diverse stock photos, being ready to learn about new cultures, and being sensitive to things you might not fully understand are all ways to create a welcoming environment online. Taking a stand and saying something for a great cause is another way to let your audience know you believe and stand for. 

If these tips for social media marketing were just the starting point, we have even more resources available. Even better yet — they’re all free. Check them out here.

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