Social Media Marketing
Explore trend predictions, omni-channel strategies, and best practices from industry leaders on effective branding, content planning, campaign management, influencer marketing, and more. Meet your social media audience where they are with the right message at the right time.
Social Media MarketingHow To Make Instagram Carousels + Boost EngagementInstagram carousels might seem like old news, but a recent study by Hootsuite shows that they continue to perform every other type of post on Instagram – including Reels. Carousels showed an engagement rate of 0.62%, whereas Reels got to 0.61%. The fight between the two is tight, but even so, with Instagram deprioritizing Reels, it looks like carousels are here to stay.
To be clear: regular posts are still worthwhile on Instagram. But if you want to win on this social media platform, you should invest your time in carousels too.
How to pull it off flawlessly and create Insta carousels that supercharge your social media marketing, and get your target audience's attention and engagement?
We've put together a step-by-step guide and a set of best practices to help you out. Keep reading and find out more.
What is an Instagram carousel?
An Instagram carousel is a type of Instagram post containing two or more photos or videos, which you can look at by swiping left on the post (on the mobile app.) or by clicking on the "right" arrow on the post. In some ways, an Instagram carousel is like a slideshow where you, the user, control when the pictures move from one to the next.
Why are Instagram carousels popular?
According to some studies, Instagram carousels are the most popular type of Instagram post, with an engagement rate of over 1.9%. There are several reasons for the widespread use (and enjoyment) of these posts:
More content in one post: The main benefit of Instagram carousels is that, as opposed to single image posts, they allow you to share multiple images or videos without cluttering your feed. This can be especially useful for businesses showcasing multiple products, or influencers displaying different outfits.Storytelling possibilities: You can use the swipeable feature of carousels to tell a story, giving your audience a more immersive experience. This can be particularly effective for showcasing experiences or giving behind-the-scenes looks.Increased engagement: With the ability to showcase multiple pieces of content in one post, Instagram carousels are more likely to catch the attention and interest of your followers, leading to higher engagement rates.Aesthetic appeal: Carousels allow for a more visually appealing and cohesive layout, as all the images or videos can be seen together in one post. This can help to attract more followers and maintain an aesthetic brand image.Creativity and versatility: Instagram carousels offer a lot of creative possibilities, from creating collages to showcasing before-and-after transformations. They also allow for different types of content to be combined in one post, such as photos, videos, and text.
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Instagram carousels: the most common use cases
"OK," you may say, "but what types of businesses should include carousels in their social media management plan?"
There are a lot of specific use cases for Instagram carousels. These are the most common and effective ones:
eCommerce businesses can use carousels to showcase different products, sizes, or colors available in their collection.Travel bloggers and influencers can share multiple photos from a single trip in one post, giving their followers an immersive experience of the destination.Artists or photographers can display a series of related images or show the evolution of a particular project.Before-and-after transformations are a popular type of carousel for health and fitness influencers, makeup artists, or interior designers.Step-by-step tutorials can be created using carousels to showcase each step in the process visually. This is popular among DIY enthusiasts, food bloggers, or makeup artists.Events and special occasions can be captured in a carousel post, allowing for more moments to be shared with followers.Businesses sharing tips and tricks. By using carousels, businesses can provide useful information in a visually appealing way, increasing audience engagement and brand credibility.
How to create an Instagram Carousel
There's really nothing difficult about creating an Instagram carousel post. To make one, follow these simple steps:
1. Tap the + button at the bottom of your feed.
2. Select up to 10 images from your library.
3. Edit and add filters to individual images or apply them to all the photos.
4. Rearrange the order of your images by pressing, holding, and dragging them.
5. Add captions, tags, and a location as you would with any other post.
6. Share the post to your feed.
Instagram carousel requirements
Instagram carousel specs are not complicated:
Minimum of 2 images or videos per carouselMaximum of 10 images or videos per carouselAll images/videos must have the same aspect ratio (square, portrait, or landscape)Recommended size: 1080px by 1080px
Can you schedule Instagram carousels?
Yes, you can schedule Instagram carousels. You can do this from the Meta Business app, Later, Hootsuite, or any other social media management platform. All you have to do is add multiple images, just as you would directly in the Instagram app, and then follow the normal scheduling process with your chosen social media tool.
17 ways to use Instagram carousels in 2024
There's a reason social media managers and customers love carousels: they are great for many types of posts. This is yet another reason they're so popular among brands, influencers, and consumers alike. Here are some of the main ways you can use Instagram's carousel posts feature:
Storytelling
Storytelling lies at the very foundation of all marketing, and it's especially powerful on social media, where stories are the core idea of the entire activity. Instagram carousels that tell a story can be a highly effective way to engage with your audience and drive more social media ROI. You can use the sequential nature of the carousel to narrate a story in a series of images or videos.
For instance, you could use a carousel to share the journey of a product from its inception to the final product or share the progress of a project over time, sparking curiosity and maintaining user interest as they swipe through your post.
Additionally, carousels can be used to break down complex stories or concepts into easily digestible parts. For example, an environmental organization might use a carousel to share information about climate change, with each slide tackling a different aspect of the issue.
This segmented approach makes the content more manageable for the reader and allows them to understand each point fully before moving on to the next, thus enhancing engagement and comprehension.
Revealing a new product
Revealing a new product using Instagram carousels can create an element of suspense and excitement among your audience. Start with a teaser image or video that hints at the product without revealing it entirely. This initial slide should spark curiosity and encourage users to swipe to the next slide.
As the viewer swipes through the carousel, you can gradually reveal more details about the new product, such as its features, benefits, or use. The final slide could be a captivating product shot or a call-to-action directing users to shop or learn more.
To add a sense of exclusivity, consider incorporating behind-the-scenes images or videos into the carousel. This could include sneak peeks into the product development process, people using or testing the product, or even bloopers.
The goal with this post would be to give your followers an insider's view into your business, humanize your brand, and foster a stronger emotional connection with your audience. Be sure to include engaging captions with each slide that further explain the visuals and build anticipation for the product's launch.
Photo dump
A photo dump on Instagram is a series of photos at once centered around a specific theme or event. This trend has taken off because it allows users to share more authentic, less curated moments from their lives.
An Instagram carousel is the perfect tool for a photo dump, as it allows you to post up to 10 photos or videos in a single post. Users can swipe left to browse through all the photos you've included in your dump, giving them a more comprehensive look at your experience or subject matter than a single photo post would allow.
Cross-selling and up-selling
Cross-selling and up-selling are powerful marketing techniques an Instagram expert can use with Instagram carousels. Cross-selling involves promoting complementary products or services that enhance the primary product's value.
For instance, a clothing store can use a carousel to showcase an outfit, and the following slides can feature accessories like handbags, shoes, or jewelry that perfectly complement the attire. This tactic exhibits the breadth of your product range and provides styling inspiration, thereby offering additional value to your customers.
Conversely, up-selling encourages customers to purchase a higher-end product or add-on that boosts the primary product's functionality or sense of luxury. A tech company, for example, might use a carousel to introduce a new smartphone and use subsequent slides to feature premium accessories, extended warranty plans, or higher capacity models.
The swiping nature of carousels can create a compelling, story-like progression that gradually introduces the additional products or services, effectively promoting them without appearing forceful or intrusive.
Show partnerships
If your brand is collaborating with an influencer or another brand on a special project or product, you can use a carousel post to tell that story. Start with an eye-catching image or video that introduces the partnership, followed by content that shows the collaborative process or the products resulting from the collaboration.
This post could include behind-the-scenes material, images of the products, or videos of the products being used. This level of insight can make the collaboration more tangible and exciting for your audience.
Moreover, Instagram carousels enable you to give due credit to all parties involved in the collaboration. For instance, each slide can focus on a different contributor or aspect of the partnership, ensuring all participants are adequately recognized.
Last, but not least, carousels enable you to tag multiple accounts, allowing viewers to explore each collaborator's profile easily. This enhances transparency and facilitates greater audience cross-pollination between the collaborating entities, potentially expanding reach and engagement for all involved.
Show off details
Instagram carousels can be used to show off the little details that make your products or services unique. For instance, a bakery can use a carousel to highlight the intricate designs of its specialty cakes, showcasing each element on its own slide.
This tactic is beneficial for two reasons. First, it allows you to showcase multiple aspects of your product that may not be visible in a single photo. Secondly, it enables you to zoom in and focus on specific details that may otherwise go unnoticed in a single post.
By highlighting these intricate details, you can also showcase the high quality and attention to detail put into your products or services, making them more desirable to potential customers. It also provides an opportunity to include informative captions explaining each element's significance.
Show products at scale
Displaying products at scale can be effectively achieved using Instagram carousels. By showing your products in different contexts or settings, you give potential customers a better understanding of the product’s size and use. For example, a furniture store might use a carousel post to show a newly released couch.
The first slide could be a beautifully staged photo of the couch in a living room setting, followed by close-ups of the couch's fabric and detailing and a slide showing a person sitting on it to provide a sense of scale.
This tactic can work very well for online retailers, where customers can't physically interact with the product before purchasing. Customers can make more informed decisions by providing a sense of scale, increasing their satisfaction with their purchase, and reducing the likelihood of returns. Furthermore, having multiple images and views of a product in one post can replicate the experience of seeing the product in person, turning Instagram into a valuable shopping tool.
Illustrate your process
Do you manufacture your own products? If so, showing off your process is a great way to build trust and credibility with your audience. Instagram carousels can be used to showcase the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating your products, giving customers a peek into what makes them unique and high-quality.
You can also include images of raw materials, videos of the production process, or photos of skilled artisans at work. This adds depth and personality to your brand and communicates your commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
Additionally, showcasing your process can also help differentiate your brand from others, creating a unique selling point that sets you apart in a competitive market.
Reveal facts
If you have a list of facts, busted myths, or interesting statistics about your products or services, an Instagram carousel is a great way to share them. Using eye-catching visuals and short captions, you can effectively educate your audience on the benefits of your offerings and dispel any misconceptions.
For example, if you are a skincare brand promoting natural ingredients, you can use a carousel post to reveal five surprising facts about the benefits of using natural products for your skin. This highlights the importance of your brand's values and educates and informs potential customers, making them more likely to trust and invest in your products.
Share tips
Want to share tips related to your business and industry? Blog posts are commonly used for this type of marketing content, but Instagram carousels can play a part too (especially as a distribution channel for your blog content, for example).
When you break down your tips into bite-sized slides, you can make the information easily digestible and visually appealing. This also allows for more engagement as followers can save or screenshot their favorite tips for future reference. Blog articles still have a place in your marketing strategy, but nuggets of info like the ones you'd share on a carousel can draw people closer to your brand, showcase your expertise, and hook them up on wanting to consume more content from you.
Show a recipe or food fact
If you are in the food or beverage industry, Instagram carousels can creatively showcase recipes using your products. This tactic works well for product-based businesses (such as a spice company sharing recipes using their spices) and service-based businesses (such as a meal delivery service showcasing healthy meals). It also lets you get creative with incorporating your products into the recipe, making them more appealing to potential customers.
Tell a joke
Cracking jokes with your audience can be beneficial, at least when you don't overdo it. Instagram carousels can be used to share funny memes, puns, or jokes related to your business or industry. This adds a touch of humor and personality to your brand and helps create a more relatable and engaging social media presence.
Create a tutorial
The popularity of video tutorials has grown significantly in recent years, and Instagram carousels provide a unique way to incorporate them into your social media strategy. By breaking down a tutorial into bite-sized slides, you can effectively teach your audience how to use your products or services.
For example, if you are an online clothing store, you can create a carousel post demonstrating the different ways an item can be worn. If you're a makeup brand, you can showcase a step-by-step tutorial on achieving a specific makeup look using your products. This tactic promotes your offerings and provides valuable content for your followers to learn from.
Make big statements
Planning a big product launch or reveal? Carousels can help you drive excitement and build up anticipation by gradually unveiling different aspects of the product. This can be especially useful for highly-anticipated products or limited edition releases.
You could use each slide to reveal a different feature or benefit of the product, add behind-the-scenes shots, or even include teasers leading up to the launch date. By using Instagram carousels in this way, you can create hype and generate more attention for your launch.
Share testimonials and feedback
Have a bunch of testimonials or customer stories you want to share with potential buyers? An Instagram carousel can help you combine them in one visually appealing post. By including a mix of customer quotes, photos, and even videos, you can effectively showcase the positive experiences others have had with your brand.
This not only acts as social proof for potential customers but it also helps build trust and credibility with your audience. You could even use this tactic to collect user-generated content from satisfied customers, making them feel involved and valued.
Staying aesthetic
Let's face it: Instagram carousels are beautiful, and there's no shame in admitting that. If your brand is all about aesthetics, posting a carousel for the sake of it can be a great way to maintain your feed's visual appeal. These posts could include coordinating colors, patterns, or designs that align with your brand and create a cohesive aesthetic on your profile.
Share trend reports
Have you released a trend report or conducted a survey related to your industry? An Instagram carousel is an excellent way to share key findings and insights in a visually appealing manner. The easy-to-read slides and relevant visuals help you effectively communicate important information while also creating engaging content for your followers.
Show a before and after
Before and after photos are great for makeup brands, clothing brands, fashion and hair stylists, dentists, businesses, and so on. But instead of sharing a single before and after photo, you can use Instagram carousels to showcase multiple transformations in one post. This shows off your expertise and results and provides valuable social proof for potential customers.
Using Instagram carousels in your marketing strategy allows for creativity, engagement, and versatility that can benefit any business.
Best practices for your Instagram carousels
Instagram carousels can be a great way to boost your social media ROI by getting more reach and engagement on your social. However, keep in mind that posting a bunch of (somewhat) related pictures isn't enough. This is mainly because Instagram's algorithm has become more sophisticated. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when creating your carousel posts:
Keep it relevant: Choose a central theme or topic for your carousel and ensure all the slides tie back to it.Use high-quality visuals: Instagram is a visual platform, so make sure your photos or graphics are high quality and visually appealing.Add "Swipe Left" on each image, next to the arrow button: Sometimes, people don't see your post as an actual carousel and just look at one picture. This means the algorithm will only count one view instead of all. Adding "swipe left" or "slide to see more" on each image will make it clear that there are multiple images in the post.Mix up your content: Don't just stick to product photos or social media ads. Use a variety of content types, such as behind-the-scenes shots, user-generated content, or even memes (if this is aligned with your brand, of course).Be clear and concise: Instagram carousels are meant to be quick and easy to swipe through, so keep your captions short and sweet. Use bullet points or numbered lists if you have a lot of information to share.Use hashtags and geotags: Including relevant hashtags and geotags can help increase the reach of your post beyond just your followers.
Instagram carousels: your power tool for storytelling on social media
Social media is all about creating a conversation and connecting with your audience. Instagram carousels are the perfect post formats to share multiple images and videos in one post, create stories, and make it easy for your followers to engage with your content.
Use them wisely and creatively to showcase your brand, products, and services, and you'll see increased engagement, reach, and conversions. Allow yourself to get creative and drive the attention your brand deserves.
Need a social media team to help you stay on top of hot social media trends? Contact Mayple and allow us to match you with a vetted social media marketing agency in a matter of days.
Social Media Marketing24 Tips for a Social Media Growth Plan That WORKSImagine you're at a friend's birthday. A stranger walks in, comes straight to you, says hi, and then proceeds to tell you how awesome their job is, how many cocktails they had on their two-month vacation in Bali, and how they just bought a new car. All, while constantly trying to push you out the door and to their homes, so you can hear more about them there.
Don't let your social presence sound like that guy. Instead, use social media to listen, engage, and converse with your target audience. Share valuable content that resonates with them and adds value to their lives without always pushing sales pitches or shamelessly self-promoting yourself.
Social media marketing is one of the single most powerful platforms you can use to grow your audience and business, drive attention and sales, and, overall, build loyalty with those who are already buying with you.
...And that's exactly what this guide is all about.
Want to supercharge your social media marketing strategy and make a bigger impact?
Keep reading.
What is a social media marketing strategy?
A social media marketing strategy outlines social media goals, performance metrics to measure performance, and the tactics you will use to achieve them. A social media strategy doesn't have to be complicated, but it needs to be simple, and specific, and it should come with meaningful, measurable goals.
Difference between social media strategy and social media plan
Some social media specialists distinguish between a social media strategy and a social media plan. In essence, the difference between the two concepts is that a social media strategy is the overall approach or set of guidelines for using social media, while a social media marketing plan is more specific and lays out the detailed steps and actions needed to achieve the goals outlined in the digital marketing strategy.
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Advantages of social media marketing
Social media is one of the biggest, fastest-growing, and most profitable marketing channels. Regardless of which social networks you choose to bring your business on, social media will:
Boost brand awareness
Social media allows you to reach a larger audience and showcase your brand personality. With a consistent posting schedule, engaging content, and the right hashtags, businesses can increase brand awareness within their target market.
Yield solid ROI (return on investment)
Some studies show that social media yields a $2.80 return for every dollar invested. Of course, this number can vary wildly from one business, strategy, set of audience demographics, etc., to the next. As such, creating a social media strategy can help businesses ensure that their efforts and resources are being allocated effectively to produce the highest ROI possible.
Help with Search Engine Optimization
Although there's no direct mention anywhere that social media posts are part of how Google's algorithm ranks search results, there's compelling evidence that social media activities indirectly contribute to SEO success. For example, a well-liked and shared article from your website on social media can spread links from relevant and authoritative websites throughout the Internet. This could help Google or other search engines calculate the relevance and authority of your website pages.
No matter how you look at it, one thing's for certain: social media can drive more people to your website, creating traffic and uplifting your entire site from that point of view.
Improve customer service
Social media can be a good way to interact with customers for support and engage in social listening. Although you want to avoid too many public questions (and admonishes), it's an excellent way to help folks with smaller issues and get them on the right track.
Plus, integrating a social media messenger bot can help businesses automate quick responses and provide 24/7 customer support. It's not quite the same as human customer support, but it can do the trick for quick questions.
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Why do you need a strategy for social media?
A lot of businesses go about their social media in an ad hoc way. They post when they have time or feel like it, and don't put much thought into what content type they're sharing or why. The issue with this approach? It's not effective. Without a strategy and actual social media KPIs, you're unlikely to see the real benefits of social media marketing mentioned above.
Here are the three main advantages of building an actual strategy for your social media network:
Be more efficient
When you have a social media strategy in place, you can plan and schedule posts in advance. This saves time and effort for other important tasks.
Stay consistent with branding and messaging
A clear social media strategy helps businesses maintain consistency in their brand voice, tone, and overall messaging. By having set guidelines for what to post and how to present your brand, you can ensure that all your social media content aligns with your overall branding.
Achieve long-term sustainability
A social media strategy helps businesses stay organized, focused, and on track with their social media marketing goals. It also allows for regular evaluation and adjustment to ensure long-term sustainability and growth in the ever-changing world of social media marketing.
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How to create a social media growth plan from scratch
Not sure where to start with your social media growth plan? Here are some of the most important things to know:
Determine who your audience is
Knowing who your ideal customer is can help you tailor your content and messaging to appeal to them specifically. Conduct market research, analyze your current customers, and use social media analytics to gain insights about your target audience.
Some elements you could research when defining your audience include:
Demographics
This will tell you who your target social media users are in terms of age, where they live, their education level, income, and other important demographic information.
Psychographics
This will go beyond basic demographics to understand your customers' personality traits, values, attitudes, interests, and lifestyles.
Online behavior
This includes how your audience uses social media platforms (e.g. which ones they prefer, what type of content they engage with), as well as their online shopping habits.
Interests
What are your customers' hobbies, and where are they likely to hang out online? True: knowing this about all your customers is impossible. But you can determine the interests of your target audience and use that to create compelling content they will find interesting. Doing this will help you resonate more with your customers.
Goals
What do your customers need? What do they want to achieve? Understanding their goals can help you create content that speaks directly to them, shows how your product or service can help them reach those goals, and ultimately convert them into paying customers.
The kind of content they consume
What type of content are they most likely to engage with? What combination of video, images, and text do they prefer? Understanding this can help you optimize your content strategy and ensure that you're delivering the right type of content to attract and retain your target audience.
Set your SMART social media marketing goals
You'll never know if your social media strategy is working if you don't have goals to measure it against. So, to be sure you have a North Light to follow in all things social for your brand, make sure to set up your SMART goals:
S – Specific
Define exactly what you want to achieve with your social media efforts. This could be increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or boosting conversions.
M – Measurable
Determine how you will measure progress toward your goal. For example, tracking performance metrics like engagement rate, click-through rate, and conversion rate can help track the success of your social media strategy.
A – Achievable
Set realistic goals that you can reasonably achieve. Don't set yourself up for failure by setting unattainable goals.
R – Relevant
Ensure your social media goals align with your overall business objectives and contribute to the growth of your brand.
T – Time-bound
Set a specific timeline for when you want to achieve your social media goals. Otherwise, you might stretch it out needlessly – and you won't achieve many palpable results with your social strategy.
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Determine which KPIs to follow
Once you have your goals in place, you need to determine which Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are most important for measuring your success. Some common KPIs include:
Engagement rate: This measures how much people interact with your content on social media, such as likes, comments, shares, and clicks.Reach: This indicates the number of unique users who have seen your content on social media.Click-through rate (CTR): This shows how many people clicked on a link you shared on social media. It's an important metric for measuring website traffic generated from social media.Conversion rate: This measures the percentage of your audience who took the desired action after seeing your content, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.Cost per click (CPC): This measures the average cost of each click on your social media ads.Return on investment (ROI): This shows the overall impact and success of your social media marketing efforts by measuring the revenue earned from your investments in comparison to the costs.
Decide which channels you want to be on
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be on every social media channel under the sun. Instead, you should focus your efforts on where it matters most for your brand and your target audience. This means understanding which channels your audience is active on, what type of content they prefer to consume there, and where you can effectively reach and engage with them.
Some popular social media channels to consider include:
Facebook: The largest social media platform with a diverse user base and various social media advertising options.Instagram: A highly visual platform perfect for showcasing products and reaching a younger audience.Twitter: A fast-paced platform that can help you engage in real-time conversations with your audience and keep up with the latest trends.LinkedIn: The go-to platform for professional networking, B2B marketing, and thought leadership.YouTube: The second-largest search engine after Google, making it a powerful platform for sharing video content and reaching a wide audience.Pinterest: An ideal platform for businesses in the lifestyle, home decor, and fashion industries as it heavily relies on visual content.TikTok: A rapidly growing platform known for its short, engaging videos that can help position your business as creative, snappy, and modern.
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Run an audit on existing channels
If your business has been up and running for a while, it's likely you at least have a Facebook page. But do you have a good Facebook page? And what about other social media channels, if any? To make sure your social media presence is in tip-top shape, start by looking at all your existing social profiles and ask yourself:
Is this working for us?Is this channel helping us achieve our goals?Are we reaching and engaging with our target audience effectively?Do we have a consistent brand voice and messaging across all channels?What is our competitor doing on this social network?And what can we do to be better here?
Take a peek at competitors
Just as you run your own social media audit, it's also important to take a peek at what your competitors are doing on social media. This can give you valuable insights into their strategies, what content resonates with their audience, and how they engage with their followers. It can also help you identify any gaps in your strategy and potentially find new growth opportunities.
However, don't just copy what your competition is doing: your audience will see it, your competition will see it, and it will all weaken your brand's power. Instead, use your competitors as inspiration and find ways to differentiate yourself and stand out in the social media landscape.
Define your tone of voice
Your tone of voice is how you communicate with your audience on social media. It's the language, personality, and style you use for your social posts and when engaging with your followers. Defining your tone of voice can help make your brand more relatable and humanize your business. Some factors to consider when determining your tone of voice include:
Your brand personalityYour target audienceThe type of content you share on social mediaYour industry and the social media channels you are active onThe values and mission of your brand
Having a consistent tone of voice across all your social media channels can help build trust with your audience and make your brand more memorable. It also helps create a cohesive and unified brand image, making it easier for followers to recognize your business on any social media platform.
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Set up and optimize your profiles
Done with all the prepping?
Great! It's now time to set up and optimize your social media profiles, as well as ensure they're all perfectly on-brand. For some channels, you might also want to verify your social media account to earn more credibility and that no fake account can claim your name.
But before you do anything else, make sure your profiles:Use high-quality profile and cover photos that represent your brandInclude a clear and concise bio or description that tells people who you are and what you offerAdd a link to your website or landing pageUse relevant keywords in your profile name, username, and bio
Create a social media content strategy
There's no social without content, so building a solid, well-thought-out content strategy is essential. This will help ensure your social media efforts are aligned with your overall marketing goals, and that you're consistently sharing engaging and relevant content with your audience. A few steps to create a successful social media content strategy include:
Identifying the types of content you want to post (i.e. the ones your customers like most)Establishing a posting frequency and schedulePlanning out your content in advanceUsing a mix of different media types (e.g. photos, videos, GIFs) to keep things interesting and variedReposting or repurposing old content to make the most of itUsing hashtags strategically to reach new audiences
Need someone to help you with this? Hire a vetted social media content freelancer from Mayple! Contact us, tell us more about you, and we'll match you with the perfect fit in a matter of days!
Build and curate your social media content calendar
Having a social media calendar in place is crucial for staying organized and consistent with your social media content. It can also help you plan for special events, holidays, or promotions that are relevant to your brand. When building your calendar, make sure to include:
The specific date and time of each postThe type of content (like photo, video, link)The social media channel it will be posted onThe caption and any relevant hashtags and images or videosThe owner (who posts and responds to comments on that post)The status (work in progress, done, ready to schedule, scheduled, published, etc.)
You can also use tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social to schedule your posts in advance and save time. When curating content, remember to mix up promotional posts with non-promotional ones to keep your followers engaged and interested.
Create a procedure for social search optimization
Social search is on the rise, with 31% of Zillennials saying they start their product search on social media. While it may be a long time before social search replaces search engines, optimizing your social media profiles for search can help improve your online visibility and make it easier for people to find you on social media. Here are some tips on how to optimize your profiles:
Use keywords in your profile bio and descriptionsInclude hashtags in your postsPartner with influencers or other brands to boost your reachEngage with trending topics and conversations relevant to your topic
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Build a procedure for community engagement
Community engagement is just as important as creating quality content. Remember, this is social media, so you have to interact and engage with your audience to build relationships, foster brand loyalty, and gain valuable insights. To engage with your community you can:
Respond to comments and direct messages promptlyAsk questions, run polls or contests to get feedback, and encourage interactionCollaborate with users by reposting their content or featuring them on your pageParticipate in relevant conversations and show support for other businesses or causesLeverage and encourage user-generated content (which can act as social proof too)
Creating a procedure for community engagement can help ensure you're consistently engaging with your audience and building meaningful connections. It can also help you identify any potential issues or negative comments and address them promptly.
Create a customer service and crisis response plan
No matter how great your product and service is, there's always the possibility of negative comments or even a crisis occurring on social media. That's why it's essential to have a customer service and crisis response plan in place. This can help you handle complaints, resolve issues, and manage any potential PR crises efficiently and effectively. Some steps to include in your plan are:
Establish who will be responsible for monitoring and responding to social media messages and commentsCreate a set of guidelines for handling complaints or negative feedbackDesignate a plan of action for crises, such as natural disasters, product recalls, or simply underpar product announcements.
Remember, how you handle these types of situations on social media can significantly impact your brand reputation. So it's crucial to have a clear procedure in place beforehand.
Make a plan to grow your audience
As your social media presence grows, you'll want to continue expanding your audience and reach. This can help increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, and ultimately lead to more conversions and sales. Grow your audience by
Collaborating with influencers or other brandsRunning social media ads targeted towards specific demographics or interestsHosting contests or giveawaysActively engaging with new and existing followers
You can also use analytics and insights from your social media channels to identify which types of content resonate most with your audience and tailor your strategy accordingly. Keep in mind that growing your audience organically takes time and effort, so be patient and consistent in your approach.
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Coordinate with other departments
Aside from customer support, you might also want to coordinate with product, sales, and content marketing teams to align your social media strategy with broader business goals.
For example, you can use social media to promote new products or services, share customer testimonials, or provide behind-the-scenes glimpses of your company culture. Collaboration across departments can also help ensure consistent messaging and a cohesive brand image across all channels.
(Optional) Add eCommerce social media features
If you sell goods online, you should consider putting at least some of the most popular products on social media. Channels like Facebook and Instagram offer native eCommerce social media features, making it easier for customers to purchase directly from your social media page.
Adding social eCommerce into the mix can help drive conversions and sales from your social media efforts. With proper planning and strategy, social media can be a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes.
Measure and make adjustments
Regularly measuring the success of your social media strategy and adjusting as needed is crucial. Use analytics tools provided by each social platform to track social media metrics such as engagement, reach, and conversions. This data can help you understand what's working well and what may need improvement.
Based on your findings, make adjustments to your content strategy or try out new tactics to see if they work for your business or if they need further refinement. Consistent measurement and adjustments are key to continuously improving your social media presence and achieving your business goals. So make sure to review and analyze your performance on social media regularly.
The social media strategy worksheet
Want to make sure you don't lose track of everything we mentioned in this guide? No worries, we've created a social media strategy template to guide you. It includes:
A strategy worksheetA Buyer Persona builderA social media content audit templateA social media competitor audit template
Download it for free, here:
[Insert here]
What makes for good social media content?
Every social media marketer wants to create brilliant content that drives shares, and engagement, and makes their brand memorable. Although there's no such thing as a recipe for success, there are several essential elements that make for good social media content:
Authenticity and transparency: Today's consumers value authenticity in brands more than ever. This means being true to your brand values, showing the human side of your business, and being transparent with your audience.Visual appeal: Social media is visual, so it's crucial to incorporate high-quality, visually appealing graphics and videos into your content.Relevance: Your content should be relevant to your audience and aligned with their interests and needs. Use insights from analytics or engage in conversations with your followers to understand what type of content resonates best.Creativity: Don't be afraid to try new things and think outside the box when it comes to creating social media content. These channels offer you plenty of freedom to express your brand's personality and stand out from the crowd.Performance: It doesn't matter how much you like your social content – if it doesn't perform well, it's not effective. Make sure to track and measure the success of your content and make adjustments as needed.
Top social media strategy examples
Need to get inspired?
There are so many social media strategy examples that can help spark ideas for your plan, and these are some of our favorites:
Chipotle
Chipotle's funny, light-hearted, and engaging social media presence has helped them build a loyal fan base. They regularly share humorous posts and GIFs on X (formerly, Twitter) that play on current events or pop culture references. This playful tone perfectly aligns with the brand's personality and resonates well with its target audience.
Wendy's
Wendy's is another brand that uses humor and wit to engage with their audience on social media. They often respond to customer Tweets and posts with clever comebacks, creating a sense of authenticity and human connection. This approach has helped them increase engagement and brand awareness on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
Netflix
Netflix is known for its creative and eye-catching social media content that often references its popular shows and movies. It's marketing team also use their social channels as a platform to announce new releases, engage with fans, and share behind-the-scenes content. Their unique approach to social media has helped them become one of the most talked-about brands on these platforms.
SpecSavers
You wouldn't think eye glasses can be funny, but the you go on SpecSavers' social media channels, and you'll find plenty of humorous and creative content. They use their unique brand voice to create relatable and entertaining posts that have helped them stand out in a highly competitive industry.
Nike
The inspirational "just do it" motto is the core of Nike's social media strategy. They use powerful visuals and motivational messaging to inspire their audience and align with their brand values. Nike also collaborates with influencers and athletes to showcase their products in action, making their content both aspirational and relatable.
Mailchimp
Most people think B2B social media must be boring and heartless, but Mailchimp proves it wrong. Their vibrant, creative graphics and their unique stories and spotlights make them a great contender for the gold medal on B2B social.
Getting social isn't easy
...But it's more than worth it. Billions of people flock to social media every day, making it a prime place for businesses to reach and engage with potential customers. And yes, creating an effective social media strategy requires time, effort, and continuous refinement.
But you shouldn't get discouraged if your first social media campaign attempts don't yield the desired results. Use this guide and our social media strategy template to keep you on track and continue learning from your successes and failures.
Want to make sure your social campaigns are in great hands?
Contact Mayple and we'll match you with one of our vetted social media marketing agencies. Just tell us about your project and we'll find the right fit for you in just three days!
Social Media Marketing20 Tips on How to Get More Followers on TikTokAs of November 2023, TikTok has 1.5 billion users. That's 16% more than in 2022.
If you're running a business of any kind and you want to supercharge your social media marketing, now's the time to start growing your TikTok audience. The user base is booming, the algorithm is smarter than ever, and you're likely to find interested people on the platform no matter what you sell.
Why is follower growth such a big deal on TikTok?
Follower growth isn't about vanity – it's an integral part of your performance as a creator, especially if you're serious about it. TikTok's algorithm prioritizes popular content, so improving your follower count can increase your video views and engagement. This means it can also lead to more opportunities for monetizing your content.
Follower growth also opens doors to TikTok's Creator Fund, enabling creators to monetize their content through ad revenue. Moreover, a substantial follower count often attracts brand partnerships, leading to potential sponsorships and collaborations.
If you're posting on TikTok as a brand and you're not necessarily looking to monetize your content, follower growth is still important. A higher follower count means a larger pool of potential followers to reach with your brand message and the potential for increased brand awareness.
In addition to these practical reasons, having a large following on TikTok also adds to your credibility as a creator – that's exactly how social proof works. It shows that people are interested in what you have to share and that you have influence within the platform.
That being said, here are some of the essentials you can do to increase your follower count on TikTok.
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Pick a niche and stick with it
First things first: identify your niche. TikTok is a diverse landscape, catering to myriad interests. Pick a niche that aligns with your passion and expertise, and stick with it. Consistency in content theme fosters a dedicated audience base.
But staying true to your chosen niche doesn’t mean being stagnant. You can evolve within your niche, exploring various angles and topics that resonate with your target audience while staying authentic to your core content theme.
The reason niche original content is more likely to attract followers is that it caters to specific interests and provides value to a particular audience. People are more likely to follow an account that consistently shares content they are interested in. For instance, if you talk about home design tips in a general sense, you might get lost in the ocean of similar videos. However, if you talk about cozy cottage home design, you'll likely attract a crowd interested specifically in that.
Know your audience
Understanding your target audience is the foundation of your TikTok growth. It helps you determine your main video concept, what types of videos to use, what relevant hashtags to tap into, and, ultimately, how you want your videos to look.
So you want to make sure you get this right from the beginning:
Look at your analytics
Dive into TikTok analytics to comprehend your viewers' demographics, preferences, and behaviors. Create content specifically for them, post when they're likely to be online, and be sure to "go" where more of these people hang out.
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Ask your audience
Not sure what your ideal audience likes? Ask them through polls, Q&A sessions, or live streams. Engaging with your audience in this way gets you valuable insights into their preferences and interests, and allows you to tailor your content more effectively.
Find your TikTok subculture
TikTok subcultures abound, and you don't have to stick with just one. You can be a part of various subcultures depending on your content and preferences. The key is finding the right ones that align with your niche and tapping into your audience base. By connecting with like-minded creators and using the power of collaborations, you can expand your reach and attract more followers.
Jump on trends
Trends are the fuel of TikTok.
If you want to gain more visibility, stay updated on the latest viral dances, challenges, hashtag challenges, and memes. Incorporating these trends into your content not only keeps it fresh and relevant, it also helps you piggyback on other popular videos to reach a wider audience.
Consider putting your unique spin on trends. Adding your creativity to popular trends can help your content stand out from all the similar videos. At the same time, you must make sure your video is recognizable within the trend, making it easier for the algorithm and your followers to understand what is going on.
Educate & entertain
Strive to both educate and entertain your audience. Engaging content leaves a lasting impression, whether it's sharing tips, creating skits, or offering insights in original videos. Interactive content, such as quizzes or tutorials, not only educates but also encourages active participation from your audience, fostering a stronger connection (and boosting your reach in the process).
Engage with other creators
TikTok is a social media platform – so get social!
Remember that collaboration is key if you want to grow your following and make the most out of TikTok. Engage with fellow creators, reply to comments, and foster a community. Partnering up amplifies your reach and exposes your content to new audiences.
The Duet and Stitch features allow you to participate in challenges with other creators. This expands your reach and introduces your content to their followers, potentially gaining you new loyal fans.
Use popular music and sounds
Trending songs and audio clips can help you ride the popularity wave on TikTok. Users often search for content using these popular sound clips, increasing your chances of being discovered. Also, the algorithm tends to feed users with clips that use music and sounds they've already interacted with in other videos, so this is a great way to gain more attention for your brand.
You can use your original sounds and popular songs, but when you're just starting out as a content creator on TikTok, you want to reach a larger audience. Trending sounds are a great way to gain your first batch of loyal followers.
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Reply to your comments
Replying to comments is crucial for two primary reasons. First of all, it fosters a sense of community and engagement among your followers. When followers see that you're responsive and actively engaging with them, they feel valued and are more likely to stay engaged and loyal to your content.
Secondly, engagement is a key metric in the TikTok algorithm. The more engagement a post has through likes, shares, and comments, the more it gets pushed out to new audiences. Therefore, by replying to comments, you can increase your post's visibility, potentially attracting new followers.
Create a series
Developing a series with a compelling hook can keep your audience eagerly anticipating the next installment. Consider involving your audience in the series' development by asking for their input or suggestions, making them feel more invested in the content.
To make sure your series is a success, keep the following tips in mind:
Plan ahead
Planning your content in advance is a crucial step in ensuring the continuity and consistency of your series. This allows you to develop a cohesive narrative or theme, maintain a consistent posting schedule, and avoid last-minute scrambles for content ideas.
Furthermore, knowing what's coming next enables you to build anticipation among your followers, which can lead to a higher engagement rate and greater visibility on the platform. In essence, a well-planned content series can be a powerful tool for boosting your TikTok presence and growing your follower count.
Post consistent content
Regular posting on TikTok is paramount for maintaining a strong presence. Consistency sends a signal to the TikTok algorithm that you are an active user, which can boost your visibility on the platform. It also gives your audience a reason to check back daily, fostering habitual interaction with your content.
Remember: it's not about bombarding your followers with content, but about creating a reliable cadence they can expect and look forward to. This consistency in posting increases engagement rates and helps reinforce your relationship with your audience, ultimately leading to a growing follower count.
Adapt & pivot as needed
Sometimes, your plan might not work (any social media manager will agree that it happens to pretty much everyone in this business). Your hook might not resonate well with your audience, or you may find yourself facing a creative block. It's essential to be able to adapt and pivot when necessary.
Pay attention to your analytics and take feedback from your audience seriously. If something isn't working, don't be afraid to try new things or change course. Just remember to stay true to your niche and add value to your audience
Build a hashtag strategy and use smart captions
Craft smart captions and use a mix of hashtags (relevant, branded, trending, etc.). Captions should be concise, engaging, and readable. Hashtags broaden your content's discoverability, so pick 1-2 popular hashtags to use in your videos to broaden your reach.
Also, ensure you regularly explore new and niche hashtags to tap into different communities and expand your content's visibility to diverse audiences. Once you gain more popularity, you can also create a branded hashtag challenge – but when you're just starting out, using hashtag trends is a smart way to get more reach.
Caption should be more than just a bland description of your video and a collection of hashtags. Remember this is TikTok, and if there's something the average TikToker loves more than the app, it's creators who are candid and raw.
If you want to research trending and accurate hashtags, you can use TikTok's search function to look at videos popular in your niche and choose 1-2 topic-specific hashtags you can incorporate in your own videos.
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Include closed captions on videos
A lot of people will scroll through TikTok on mute – so if you have an important message to send out (or just a really funny story), closed captions can help you ensure your audience gets it even if their sound isn't on. Here are some tips to help you create and include closed captions people actually like:
Keep it short and to the point: your closed captions don't necessarily have to be a word-for-word transcription of your audio. Instead, aim to capture the main message or punchline in as few words as possible.Use emojis and formatting: Closed captions don't have to be plain text. Add emojis or change the font size, color, and style for emphasis and visual appeal.Check for accuracy: While it's okay to deviate from the exact words spoken, make sure your closed captions are accurate and convey the same message as your audio content.Use relevant keywords: Including relevant keywords in your closed captions can help your videos rank higher in searches and attract new followers interested in those topics.Time every caption correctly: Make sure it shows on screen when the corresponding audio is playing, and disappears when it ends. Poor timing can make your video look unprofessional and may discourage viewers from watching until the end.
Timing matters (a lot)
Post when your video is likely to perform well. This means the time of day and day of the week when your customers or audience are likely scrolling up and down on TikTok. Some ways to find the right time of the day include:
Analyzing past performanceConducting A/B tests of different posting timesResearching when your target audience is most active on TikTok
Once you find the right time, post consistently at that time to build a habit in your followers. This will also help boost your visibility and engagement rates. Remember, it's not just about what you post, but when you post it.
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Experiment with video length
Variety keeps things interesting, so experiment with video lengths to see what resonates best with your audience. Sometimes, concise content shines; other times, longer videos engage better. As a general rule, people on TikTok like shorter videos that are up to 40 seconds. But when they're hooked, they'll happily watch as much as they can.
So the best way to figure out what your audience likes is by testing things out. If you find your customers like shorter content, don't give up on longer videos too – you can always break it into bite-sized pieces.
Tap into user-generated content
Encourage user-generated content through challenges or duet videos. It boosts engagement and creates a sense of community around your content.
You can also acknowledge and feature user-generated content in your videos. This rewards your audience's participation and encourages others to contribute.
Invest in video quality
Although TikTok has this "homemade" vibe to it, high-quality content still matters. Invest time in creating visually appealing, high-quality videos. Aesthetically pleasing content tends to captivate and retain viewers.
Experiment with different video editing techniques and tools available on TikTok to enhance the visual appeal of your content and make it more engaging.
Remember: you don't need expensive equipment – but you do want to make sure it's well-lit and the audio is clear. A steady hand goes a long way in creating professional-looking videos, too.
Create a lot
Quality is often a byproduct of quantity, so give yourself a chance to experiment with different ideas, play around with features (like filters and effects), and create content regularly.
The more you create, the better you get at understanding what works best for your audience. This also helps you establish a consistent presence on the app, which is crucial for growing your follower count.
Keep an eye on metrics
Monitoring metrics like watch time, engagement, and reach is vital. Watch time reigns supreme; the longer viewers watch, the more TikTok's algorithm favors your content.
Regularly analyze your top-performing content to understand what resonates best with your audience and replicate those successful elements in future videos.
Use TikTok Ads
Social media ads aren't normally a good way to gain organic followers, but TikTok Ads are a different kind of animal. What makes them unique is they look, feel, and act like organic content.
TikTok Ads appear in users' feeds alongside other content, adding to the overall viewing experience. That's why they're powerful; you can reach a wider audience and build brand awareness without compromising authenticity.
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TikTok: the next frontier for your social media presence
For the longest time, TikTok was synonymous with "content for teenagers." This has changed drastically. Once considered an odd and unappealing social media network for brands that didn't target teens, TikTok is now one of the fastest-growing, most engaging, and rewarding social media platforms. In other words, TikTok's the next big hot social media channel to jump on – and fast!
They do a lot of things well: from an algorithm built to hook people on the platform to providing you with social media marketing tools that enhance your brand's social media presence. Popular hashtags, songs, trends, and the organic feeling of ads on TikTok all create the perfect environment for you to reach more people, engage them, and sell your products.
Not long from now, books about social media will write about TikTok and how it managed to not only break into a market that seemed impossible but also change it forever. So jump on the trend and make sure you include TikTok in your social media plan!
Need help getting started on TikTok? Contact Mayple and hire a social media management agency vetted by us. We'll match you with the best one for your industry, and you'll be ready to work with them in a matter of days!
Social Media MarketingThe 2024 Social Media Management Guide to GrowthRecent statistics show that people spend more than 150 minutes on social media networks every day. Whether it's on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, people around the world choose to spend more than 2.5 hours scrolling through their feeds, liking posts, and connecting with friends. This amounts to 17.5 hours a week and more than 910 hours a year.
If you run any kind of business and you don't post social media content, you practically don't exist. When potential customers want to learn about you, they will likely check out your social media profiles in addition to your Google business profile.
How do you go about social media management in a way that works with your greater marketing strategy? What are some of the popular social media marketing plans and popular tools you should use?
Read on to find out.
What is social media management?
Social media management refers to creating and scheduling content for social media audiences to grow and nurture a target audience on social media platforms. This includes content creation, social media content strategy, reputation management, PR crisis management, community management, programming, and more.
The history of social media management
Two decades ago, social media was a digital meeting place for like-minded people. LiveJournal, MySpace, and Friendster were the popular social platforms, but it wasn't until the launch of Facebook in 2004 that social media took off.
Suddenly, everyone had a social media profile. For a while, it was a glorious time to be alive. Publishing content like personal pictures and posts about our daily, and even pokes.
Then came Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Vines (now deceased), and TikTok. LinkedIn preceded the founding of Facebook, but it has traditionally been used more for professional networking rather than socializing.
As social media became more integrated into our daily routines, businesses and brands took notice. These channels became a way to reach customers who were social media users, and with the launch of paid social ads, they also presented a new way to make money.
Unlike previous marketing channels, this is completely public and completely bi- (or multi-) directional. Social media marketing managers need to not only create compelling social content but also monitor and engage with audiences to foster relationships, build brand loyalty, and even handle direct messages.
A lot of things have changed in social media management since it all started. Algorithms shifted, logos changed, and design evolved. Not only that, social media management software has become a booming industry to help improve social media performance and achieve business goals.
Despite all the storms and challenges, the true basics of a social media marketing strategy have remained unchanged: it's a platform for businesses and individuals alike to connect and engage in a direct, personal, and authentic way. It has become a crucial part of any brand's marketing strategy, allowing for real-time communication, customer feedback, and the building of a loyal community.
Just look at Lidl:
Or Wendy's (someone's definitely on the ball with their social media calendar!)
Or Airbnb's stunning visual content
And, yes, even the Merriam-Webster dictionary has spunky, follow-worthy social posts.
What does a social media manager do?
Social media marketing has changed a lot, and so has the role of a social media manager. While the job description differs slightly from one company and industry to another, the core responsibilities of a social media marketer remain the same.
Social content creation and curation: Social media managers are responsible for creating and sourcing relevant, engaging, and visually appealing content to share on social media platforms. This includes writing captions, designing graphics, and selecting appropriate hashtags for social media posts.Social media strategy: A social media marketer has a clear understanding of the business objectives and target audience to create a comprehensive social media strategy that aligns with the overall marketing plan. This involves choosing the right platforms, defining key performance indicators (KPIs), and creating an editorial calendar.Community management: Interacting with followers, responding to comments and messages, and fostering relationships is an essential part of a social media manager's job. This helps to cultivate loyal customers and maintain a positive online presence. It's also an effective way of gathering user-generated content through interactive posts.Social media analytics and reporting: To measure the success of social media campaigns, a social media manager must track and analyze data, such as engagement rates, reach, top-performing posts, and conversions. This information is used to optimize future strategies and make data-driven decisions.Crisis management: Because social media is a public forum, PR crises can arise quickly and spread like wildfire. Social media managers must be prepared to handle these situations delicately, responding promptly and transparently to mitigate any potential damage to the brand's reputation. This is true whether it's comments even for non-top-performing posts, and incoming messages (or DM's).Stay updated with industry trends: Social media is constantly evolving, so social media content creators must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and changes in the industry. This includes competitor analysis, understanding algorithms, new platform features, and emerging technologies.
Sometimes, social media marketers are expected to have basic photo editing, video editing, and even paid advertising skills. The responsibilities may vary, but the ultimate goal remains the same: to effectively manage and grow a brand's presence on social media platforms.
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How to manage social accounts
Managing social media accounts for small to larger businesses isn't a walk in the park: it requires strategy, creativity, and consistency. It also requires resilience, adaptability, and an eye for spotting trends before they become passé.
Here are some of the steps and elements you should include in your social media management process:
Creating a budget
If you want to make sure your social media management efforts translate into tangible results for your business, you need to dedicate a portion of your marketing budget to it.
This budget should include both organic and paid marketing. Although organic is frequently considered free, that is completely false. You still need to invest in social media management tools, graphic design, copywriting, influencer collaborations/content creator partnerships, and more.
At the same time, while organic reach can be effective, paid advertising on social media platforms allows for more precise targeting and increased visibility. Set a specific paid budget for each forum and experiment with different ad formats to find what works best for your brand.
The size of your budget depends on the size of your business and industry, but a good starting point is allocating 10-20% of your total marketing budget to social media management.
Finding your target audience
Now that you have a budget, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to know the social media users who make up your target audience.
Who are they? What platforms do they use? What type of content do they engage with the most? Are they more likely to enjoy Instagram carousels or short-form videos? Or should you focus on long-form videos?
Understanding your target audience is crucial to creating relevant and effective social media strategies that will resonate with them. It's also essential for understanding
What type of content to focus on How to deal with direct messages (e.g, should you set up a bot?) How to organize your post plannerHow to leverage user-generated content How to scale and create more top-performing posts Whether you can use artificial intelligence to supercharge your efforts...And more
In other words, customer research dictates your entire strategy and the tactics likely to work with your specific audience.
To gather this information, you can conduct surveys, analyze data from previous campaigns, and utilize social media analytics tools. Additionally, running a competitor analysis and keeping an eye on their social media presence can provide valuable insights into your target audience.
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This is a very important step. You don't want to start investing money and time in a platform your target audience doesn't hang out on, so do your research beforehand.
Want to make sure you keep track of your audience research? Get access to our free social media strategy worksheet.
Building a social strategy
Now that you know how much you can spend, and who your target audience is, you'll know what you can do and where. That means it's time to build a social media strategy.
People often mistake "social media strategy" for a social media plan or content calendar, and it's easy to see why. Remember: a strategy goes beyond a posting schedule and creating content.
A social media strategy involves setting goals, identifying key performance indicators (KPIs), and determining how to measure success. It should also include a plan for leveraging different social channels, as each one serves different purposes and reaches different demographics.
Professional social media management tools help juggle a wide range of content on different platforms in a single dashboard.
When building your strategy, keep in mind the overall marketing objectives of your business and set achievable goals. Gone are the days of skyrocketing organic social growth, and your strategy needs to reflect that across its different categories.
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Creating social media content
This is the fun part that likely attracted you to social media management in the first place.
Relevant content creation is a crucial element of social media management, as it's what keeps your audience engaged and interested in your brand. It should align with your overall business goals and strategy, while also reflecting the unique voice and personality of your brand.
When it comes to social media content creation, consider different formats such as images, videos, stories, reels, and even live streams. Staying consistent with branding elements such as colors, fonts, and tone is also important.
But creating content doesn't just mean coming up with new ideas all the time. Repurposing and recycling evergreen content can help you improve social media engagement while saving time and resources.
Also, when building your social media content calendar, make sure you also leave some leeway for unexpected, timely content that can boost engagement and visibility.
Engaging with your audience
Social media is all about actively engaging with your audience. This includes responding to direct messages, comments, and reviews promptly and professionally.
Engagement rates, reach, and conversions are important metrics to track when measuring your engagement efforts' success. This is also an opportunity to gather feedback and insights from your audience, which can help inform future content and strategies.
Remember that engagement goes both ways. You should engage with your audience as much as possible and also encourage them to engage with your brand by asking questions, creating polls, and running contests or giveaways. This creates a two-way conversation that strengthens the relationship between your brand and audience.
Managing brand reputation
Many times, social media managers are also responsible for managing the brand's online reputation as part of supporting business objectives. This includes monitoring mentions and reviews, responding to negative feedback in a timely and professional manner, and addressing any potential crises that may arise.
Having a proactive approach to managing your brand's reputation on social media is crucial to maintaining a positive image and building trust with your audience. This means having a crisis management plan for handling negative feedback with empathy and transparency.
Remember, social media is a public platform, so it's important always to represent your brand in a positive light and address any issues promptly. Building a strong social media reputation can increase customer loyalty and advocacy for your brand.
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Managing teams and collaboration
In some situations, social media management might be the result of team collaboration among multiple people to create and implement different tactics and calendars. This is common in larger businesses with dedicated social media teams, but even smaller businesses may have multiple employees involved in managing their social media presence.
However, this kind of situation can also happen in smaller businesses where both marketing and HR are posting from the same social accounts and need to be aligned.
Regardless of the size or structure of your team, it's important to have open communication and collaboration to ensure consistency and avoid any conflicts. Using project management and social media tools, as well as having regular meetings can help streamline processes and keep everyone on the same page.
Running paid social media ads
Paid social media ads usually fall within a different budget and role category than organic social media efforts. These ads can be targeted to reach specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, making them a powerful tool for reaching new potential customers.
When running paid social media ads, be sure to understand your target audience and your business goals. This will determine which platform and type of ad will be most effective in achieving your objectives.
Every social media platform has its different ad formats and targeting options, so do your research and test different approaches to see what works best for your brand. Also, be sure to regularly track and analyze the performance of your ads to make necessary adjustments and improve results.
Running regular tests (on small budgets) can help you determine your brand's most effective ad types, targeting options, and creative elements. It also gives you insights on the optimal times for posting different types of content. Remember to always track the results and make data-driven decisions regarding paid social posts by organizing this data in social media reports.
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Measuring results
Measuring your social media performance is crucial in determining the success of your strategy and identifying areas for improvement.
Some of the metrics to look for when measuring organic social media include:
Engagement rates (likes, comments, shares)Reach and impressionsFollower growthReferral traffic to your website from every single platformConversions and sales attributed to social media efforts
For paid social media, in addition to the above social media metrics, it's also important to track:
The return on investment (ROI) of your adsYour cost per click (CPC)Cost per acquisition (CPA)
Regularly reviewing and analyzing these metrics enables you to make data-driven decisions to optimize your social media strategy and achieve better results. It's also important to set realistic goals and track progress toward those goals over time.
Top 15 social media tools for 2024
Since social media is a digitally native platform, there are many tools and software designed specifically to help businesses effectively manage their social channels. Here are the top 15 social media management tools to consider for next year:
Buffer
Buffer is a social media management tool focused on planning and scheduling social media posts across different social networks. Some features include analytics, engagement (so you can easily comment back), and an AI assistant to help you create different types of content. They also have a landing page builder, which you can use to create a profile for your business and bring all your social, blogging, and important links together, on one user-friendly page.
Buffer's pricing starts at $0/month (for up to three channels and limited features). Their paid plans come at $6/month, $12/month, and $120/month and offer additional channels, engagement tools, additional team members, collaboration features, and custom access. All paid plans include a 14-day free trial, so you can test the tool and see if it fits your needs.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is one of the most well-known social media management tools. It offers scheduling, monitoring, and analytics features across various social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Additionally, Hootsuite offers features like AI content creation, analytics, engagement tools, and best time to post suggestions, and even a social listening tool to monitor what people say about you on social media.
The pricing for Hootsuite starts at $99/month for one user and 10 social media accounts. The middle-tier pricing plan is $249/month for three users and 20 social accounts. The enterprise package is a custom plan, discussed with them directly to see how much it costs in your specific case. All plans come with a 30-day free trial so you can test the tool for free.
Sprout Social
Sprout Social is another popular social tool that allows you to manage your social media presence by scheduling, monitoring, and analyzing posts. They also have social listening tools, employer branding, and influencer marketing features. In other words, they offer a wide range of features for pretty much anything you need in social media management.
The pricing is a bit steep, especially as compared to other tools, but considering the range of features, you might want to consider it anyway. The plans start at $249/month and go up to $399 or $499/month or more if you settle for the enterprise package.
The higher pricing tiers also include smart features like AI automation, message spike alert (if there's increased message activity), and even sentiment analysis, which tells you how people feel about your brand. Same as the previously mentioned tools, Sprout Social offers a free trial for 30 days. If you don't feel like it's worth your money, you can cancel before the trial ends.
Later
Later is an affordable social media management tool focused on scheduling social media posts. They also have a mobile app, which social media managers can use to schedule posts on-the-go. Later is most popular for Instagram management, and they offer features that are tailored to this platform (such as AI-driven caption writing). However, they offer access and support for all major social media channels, like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc.
The pricing for Later starts at $16.67/month (for one social set, one user, and 30 posts per social profile), then goes up to $30/month and $53.33/month for even more features, social sets, users, and posts.
Sendible
Sendible is a social media tool focused on agencies. Its features package includes a lot of elements agencies need, such as collaboration, advanced analytics, and, maybe most importantly, and white-label reports for branded analytics and reports with your logo for your clients.
Sendible is also one of the most affordable tools for agencies, starting at $29/ month. The next three feature packages are $89, $185, and $750/month, each with incrementally more users and social profiles, as well as additional features (e.g. white label features are only available from the $185 plan and onwards).
Agorapulse
Agorapulse is a slightly different social media tool, with a set of features that covers a wide range of needs. You can publish posts and report on them (like most social media management software does), as well as manage social inboxes, run social commerce, employ social listening techniques, and calculate your social media ROI. All in all, the tool looks like a very interesting one for social media monitoring. And since there's a 30-day trial, it's more than worth checking out.
The pricing is also quite affordable, considering the range of features. The four pricing tiers are $49/month, $79/month, $119/month, and a custom one for enterprise needs. Its free trial doesn't require a credit card and each plan offers more and more advanced features.
CoSchedule
CoSchedule is known for its headline analyzer tool (super helpful for content marketers!), but it also has social media management features that allow you to schedule different types of content, as well as collaborate with team members. The main feature is integrating content calendars with social media calendars, extremely helpful for teams focused on content distribution.
The pricing starts at $0/month for two calendars. There's also a $119/ month package and two custom-priced plans you'll have to contact the sales team for.
SocialBee
With SocialBee's social media management tool, you can publish content on all major social media channels, including reposting and evergreen posting. This also means you can share the same post multiple times across social channels. Additionally, SocialBee offers analytics, team collaboration features like team workflows and approval workflow processes, and lead generation tools.
Pricing starts at $20/month and goes up to $34/month and $69/month, with each package offering more social profiles, users, and analytics databases. For example, the least expensive package will only give you access to three months of data, whereas the most expensive one allows for up to two years of data.
SocialPilot
On the surface, SocialPilot looks like yet another social scheduling tool, which it does quite well, but it does offer additional, interesting features. For instance, this tool allows you to store your best content and hashtags, connect your agency clients with the tool for approvals, and use the SocialPilot browser extension for fast and easy posting.
The pricing starts at $30/month and has three additional plans: $40/month, $80/month, and $160/month. Every plan adds more social media profiles, users, and features on top of the previous one, getting up to 50 social media accounts and unlimited users.
MeetEdgar
MeetEdgar is a social media management tool focused on evergreen post-scheduling. This means that the tool allows you to categorize and schedule content to be reposted automatically, as opposed to creating new posts every time. The platform is available for all major social networks, including TikTok and Pinterest,
The pricing for MeetEdgar has two main options: Eddie and Edgar, at $29.99/month for 5 social profiles (but you can buy additional ones for $4.99 each) and $49.99/month for 25 social profiles (additional ones are bought for $2.99 each).
Zoho Social
Zoho Social is a social media management tool that offers scheduling, monitoring, and analytics features, as well as an AI assistant. Additionally, it also offers collaboration features and social media management tools to help you stay on top of conversations about your brand.
The pricing for Zoho Social starts at €15/month for one user to schedule content for one brand, on 10 social profiles. It goes up to €40/month – same as the basic plan but with additional features – and €65/month for three team members and 11 social profiles.
Sprinklr
Sprinklr Social is part of a larger marketing cloud suite, focused on enterprise needs– particularly centered on customer experience. The tool allows for advanced social media management across all major social media channels, as well as features like AI-driven content creation and community management. It also offers a wide range of industry-specific solutions, such as healthcare or retail, to cater to specific business objectives and needs.
The pricing is not public on their website and must be discussed with a sales representative.
Oktopost
Oktopost is a social media tool focused on B2B marketing, providing features that help you track leads and conversions from social media. Main features include scheduling and publishing posts, employee advocacy, social listening, and community management, all geared at Technology businesses, Financial Services, and Law Firms.
The pricing for Oktopost is not available on the website, but you can get in touch with the sales team for a demo and to learn more about the costs of getting started with their platform.
Brandwatch
Brandwatch is not your typical social media tool. Its main focus is on social media metrics relating to social listening and analytics. It offers powerful, real-time monitoring of mentions and conversations about your brand across multiple channels, as well as advanced sentiment analysis and audience demographics. You can also get competitive intelligence insights and influencer marketing features to stay ahead of the game.
The pricing for Brandwatch is not publicly available, but you can contact their sales team for a quote based on your specific needs.
HubSpot
HubSpot is one of the most well-known marketing automation platforms in the market. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for inbound marketing, including social media management and monitoring features. With this platform, you can schedule and publish relevant content on different social channels, track engagement and conversions, as well as integrate with other HubSpot tools for a seamless marketing experience.
You can get started on HubSpot for free, and pricing plans are split in two: $880 per month and $3,300 per month. Both plans are customizable, according to how many contacts you have and the kind of features you need. To get a complete quote, you'll have to get in touch with its sales team.
Social media management: more than just posting
Not so long ago, social media posts used to be all about linking to a website or blog (and, at most, creating and following a posting schedule). Today, the job is more complex than ever. Between paid and organic, influencers, generating platform-based content, managing incoming messages from (potential) customers, and knowing how to "trick" algorithms and lead people to your website, social media has grown to be a "thing" of its own.
It's not an easy task, but it's one of the best ways to connect to your audience, showcase who you are as a brand, and create not just demand, but build a base of loyal customers. Being active on social is no longer an option. In a world increasingly more connected, it has grown to be a must. This is not only for larger businesses but for pretty much everyone else too.
Want to learn more about social media and dig deeper into the subject? We've put together a list of books about social media to help you understand social platforms beyond hacks and tactics.
Not sure where to start with your social media accounts and how to integrate them in your digital marketing campaigns? Or maybe you just don't have the time? Contact Mayple and allow us to match you with a vetted social media marketing agency in a matter of days.
Social Media Marketing4 [Free] Social Media Advertising Templates 2024Social media ad spend will reach more than $262 billion by 2028. From banners to Instagram stories and LinkedIn posts, there's a myriad of social media ad formats to choose from. Businesses of all sizes recognize social media marketing's potential to reach their target audiences.
Want to jump the wagon, but not sure where to start?
We've put together a complete guide to social media templates you need to build a social strategy that gets your brand the attention it deserves. Keep reading and find out more.
What is social media marketing?
Social media marketing involves using social media platforms and websites to meet marketing objectives around promoting your business, product, or service. eMarketing and digital marketing are also terms used for the same activity, but "social media marketing" has grown to be more common among both academics and marketers.
Best practices include a campaign planning process, a regular publishing schedule to maintain your brand's social network presence, and carefully monitoring social media performance across platforms, whether it's Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and more.
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Why use social media strategy templates?
Social media advertising templates offer significant advantages for businesses looking to maximize their digital marketing efforts to reach their ideal customer. These templates can simply be created on Google docs and provide a strategic and efficient way to create compelling and consistent content across different platforms.
Here are some of the direct benefits you'll get by using a social media advertising template:
Save time
Creating unique content for each social media platform can be extremely time-consuming, especially if you are managing multiple platforms and you're not sure where to start.
A template allows you to easily customize your content to fit each platform's specific requirements without having to start from scratch every time. This is especially true for more popular and time-consuming projects like video script templates. This saves valuable time and resources, helps you build a solid foundation for your social media growth, and allows you to redirect your efforts to other business aspects.
Unify communications
Having a single source of truth is important for the entire marketing team and company to remain aligned and speak in one voice.
Using a social media advertising template ensures that all your communications are unified and consistent across different platforms, creating a cohesive brand image for your business. You can include branding elements such as brand colors, styles for banners on videos, and ideal social media image sizes.
This also makes it easier for your audience to recognize and engage with your content, even on posts that are published through collaborations and influencer partnerships.
Making reporting easier
When you start with a tried and tested template, you'll better understand what social media efforts work and which don't. This makes it easier to track and measure the success of your campaigns, as well as identify any areas that may need improvement.
You can even create a social media report template so that you can efficiently get the right data for your team to show results. Again, custom Google docs are more than sufficient for this!
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Promote collaboration
Social media advertising templates provide a framework for collaboration within your team. By having a shared template, team members can easily contribute ideas and collaborate on content creation, leading to more creative and effective campaigns. This is another area where Google docs come to the rescue, with their robust real-time commenting and editing options.
Boost efficiency
With social media advertising templates, you can streamline your workflow and ensure that all necessary elements are included in your posts. This helps to avoid any last-minute changes or missing important details, and to create a solid foundation for more efficient and effective campaigns. You can also more easily identify gaps in publishing on specific social channels, and ensure that you're implementing an ideal content mix for a rich and authentic online presence.
How to use social media templates
If you decide to use a custom social media template for your business, make sure you take them as they are: blueprints, not recipes. In other words, they are meant to be adapted to fit your specific brand, target audience, and social media goals.
Here are some tips for using social media templates effectively:
Do your research
Every business is different, so research is a crucial skill to have for successful media management. When you start with a social media template for organic or paid projects, research and understand each platform's nuances. This will help you create content that resonates with your specific audience.
Also, research what type of social content will get you the most likes, shares, and video views with your target audience.
In some cases, it could be Instagram carousels, in others it could be simple text LinkedIn posts, and in other situations, your audience may be more keen to watch short-form videos on Reels, Shorts, or TikTok. Go where your audience is and provide them with what they like most.
Adapt, implement...
Once you've created a social media template, it's essential to regularly review and adapt it based on the your social media performance. Use analytics tools to track engagement, reach, and other metrics to see what works and can be improved upon. Also, be sure to include plenty of space for context on your various campaigns to ensure that each action is aligned with overall marketing objectives.
...And then adapt again
Your social media strategy will likely need consistent, ongoing adaptation as you experiment with different types of content and campaigns. Keep an eye on emerging trends, new features on social media platforms, and your competition to stay ahead of the game.
4 social media templates for your business
We've put together four social media templates and worksheets for you. Each of them is built to help you navigate the complex world of social media marketing and create a cohesive strategy for your business. These social media marketing templates can be easily customized to fit your specific needs, goals, and campaign planning process, so feel free to use them as a starting point and make any necessary changes.
Social media strategy worksheet
Our social media strategy checklist was built with one thing in mind: help you make sense of the different elements that go into creating a successful social media strategy. This template includes sections for everything you need to design a social media strategy:
Mission statement – what your business stands forCompetitor analysis notes – what you learned from peeking at your competitorsTone of voice – how you want to sound across all social media channelsCrisis response plan – what to do if someone comments negatively on your socials, for exampleGoals – what is your goal for social media?Inspiration – what social media accounts would you like to emulate?Metrics – likes, comments, shares, impressions, CTR, or for social ads, CPC, CPM, etc.Buyer persona – the personas of your target audience...And more
Remember this entire social media strategy kit is built to help not just with the documentation process but also guide your planning, actions, and reporting.
As you can see, this step by step template was created on a simple Google sheet. You don't always need fancy social media tools to do the job right, just a few custom fields for your goals and platforms of choice.
Social media audit template
If you or your clients already have social media accounts, the best way to start growing them is by running an audit: a situational assessment that helps you understand where you are, what works, and what doesn't. Here are some elements included in this template:
Profile evaluation – overall notes on each social media profileContent strategy overview – in one sentence, what has been your strategy for that specific channel?Audience analysis – who are the people who have interacted with your social media posts so far?Competitor analysis – what has your competition been doing?Tools and resources review – examples include productivity tools, social media management tools that allow you to schedule content in advance, social listening tools, and so on.
This is all crucial information for making a strong pitch to your ads team or social media client.
Buyer persona template
As a social media manager, want to make sure your entire social media strategy (for social ads and organic posts) targets the right people. That's why we've created a buyer persona template to help you navigate the relevant buyer persona characteristics to build a successful social strategy.
We've included everything you need to paint a full, realistic picture of your target audience:
Relevant quotes from customer interviews, testimonials, etc.Goals and challenges for each specific personaIdentifiers for main pain points in one sentence each...And more
Get our social media strategy kit for free and gain access to our buyer persona builder (along with all the other templates presented here).
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Competitor analysis template
Looking at your competition can help you better project what will work and what won't regarding social media marketing. Our competitor analysis template includes sections for all the elements you need to evaluate your competition's social media presence:
Platforms used – where are they active?Frequency of posting – how often do they post, and how busy is their social media content calendar?Types of content posted – what type of posts do they share?Engagement levels – how much engagement do they drive?...And more.
Our social media toolkit also includes a social media content calendar to plan posts on your chosen social networks, keep track of your social media campaigns, and ensure you implement your social media marketing strategy in a cohesive, comprehensive way.
The best sources for social media advertising graphic templates
A large part of social media is the visual content. Even basic graphic design skills become important in social media advertising to draw people's attention and communicate your message effectively. Here are some of the best sources for social media advertising graphic templates:
Canva: a user-friendly tool for creating all kinds of designs, including social media graphics of all kinds (banner templates, Instagram posts, and so on.)Adobe Spark: another popular design tool that offers a wide range of templates specifically designed for social media.Venngage: an advanced tool that offers customizable templates for social media and other digital marketing channels, including infographics.Creative Market: an online marketplace that offers a variety of high-quality social media graphic templates from various designers.PosterMyWall: a design tool that specializes in templates for social media advertising and other marketing materials.Envato Elements: a subscription-based platform with thousands of social media graphic templates and other design assets.Freepik: a website that offers free and premium social media graphic templates, icons, images, and more.Creatopy: a design tool with pre-designed ad templates for social media, as well as an option to create your own social and banner designs from scratch.
Many of these tools will allow you to add a custom business palette and fonts for photo and video templates that keep up a consistent look in every post.
64 copywriting templates for social media ads
Copywriting is a crucial element of social media advertising, as it can make or break the success of your marketing campaigns. If you struggle to come up with compelling copy for your ads, here are 50 copywriting templates specifically designed for social media ads:
Fashion
"Stay on-trend with our latest collection. Shop now!""Just in! Upgrade your wardrobe with [season] must-have styles.""Get ready to turn heads in our new arrivals.""Don't miss out on this limited-time offer. Shop now!""Elevate your style game with our exclusive pieces.""Find the perfect outfit for [upcoming event].""Effortlessly chic and affordable – shop our fashion-forward pieces.""Be the envy of all with our statement-making styles."
Travel
"Escape to paradise without breaking the bank.""Discover the world's hidden gems.""Unwind and relax at [Name] luxurious resorts.""Experience a cultural adventure like no other. Book your trip now.""Traveling solo? Join one of our group tours and make new friends.""Family vacations don't need to be stressful. Book yours now""Ready for an adventure? Our adrenaline-fueled activities will not disappoint.""Travel in style and comfort with our first-class accommodations."
Fitness
"Get your sweat on with our high-intensity workout classes.""Join our fitness community and reach your goals together.""Transform your body and mind with our holistic approach to fitness.""Certified trainers for the results you want.""No more excuses! Start your fitness journey with us today.""Working out has never been this fun! Join our group classes now.""Get fit and have fun doing it at [Gym Name].""Ready to push yourself to the limit in [Year]? Our bootcamp classes start [Date]"
Real estate
"Find your dream home. [Number] properties available in [Location] today.""Selling a house has never been this fast or hassle-free.""Find your perfect match – let us help you find your crib. ""Prime real estate opportunities in [Location].""Luxury living at its finest – explore our high-end properties now.""Make a smart investment with our commercial real estate options.""Looking for a cozy apartment? We have just the one for you.""Let us make your home search easier. Browse our listings now."
Food
"The perfect blend of flavors with our [cuisine] dishes.""Craving something sweet? Our desserts will satisfy your taste buds.""From farm to table, we only use the freshest ingredients in our dishes.""Try our chef's special – a taste sensation you don't want to miss.""Want to impress your dinner guests? Our recipes are always a hit.""Satisfy your cravings with our mouth-watering [cuisine] cuisine.""Made with love. [Restaurant Name].""Indulge in our delicious menu and treat your taste buds."
Pets
"Give your pet the love and care they deserve with [Product or Company Name].""Your furry friend deserves the best in [Location].""Say goodbye to pet hair. Floof! ""Keep your pet healthy and happy with our all-natural treats.""Spoil your pet with our fun and interactive toys.""Make mealtime a breeze with our automatic feeder.""Doggo will love seeing the world with you.""Upgrade your pet's grooming routine with our [Product]."
Beauty
"Get that glow-up you've been dreaming of with our beauty products.""Unleash your inner goddess with our makeup essentials.""Say goodbye to bad hair days with our top-rated haircare products.""Beauty on a budget? We've got you covered.""Achieve flawless skin in just one step with our skincare must-haves.""Transform your look from day to night with our versatile makeup palettes.""Get ready for summer with our cruelty-free and eco-friendly beauty products.""Healthy skin is always in – shop our natural beauty range now."
Home decor
"More than just home decor. Pure comfort.""Elevate your interior design game.""Lighting that creates the perfect ambiance.""Break the mold. Make a statement.""Spruce up your home for [season].""From rug to lighting. Everything you need for a pretty home.""Turn your house into a home.""Customizable home decor options created just for you."
Of course, these templates are just a starting point. Don't be afraid to get creative and personalize them to your business, target audience, the season you're in, and so on.
Want to learn more about the specifics of running social media ads? Check out our comprehensive guide on social media advertising.
Social media strategy templates: the boost you need to get started
Social media marketing can be overwhelming. From Facebook to Twitter to TikTok, there are at least a handful of social media networks, each with its own (often fickle, rapidly changing) algorithms, and a million things to keep track of, like engagement rates, post frequency, influencer partnerships, and content types.
In other words: your social media page is no longer just a business card.
That's where templates come in handy. They give you a head start, map out the key elements of your strategy, and help you stay organized. With our social media content calendar, templates, and worksheets at your disposal, you can create a compelling and well-structured social media plan.
Get them for free, here.
Need help to get your social game on the road? Contact Mayple and we'll match you with an industry-experienced, vetted social media marketing agency you'll actually love.
Social Media Marketing385 Steal-Worthy Instagram Caption Ideas for 2024More than 95 million posts are shared on Instagram each day. This jaw-dropping stat makes it one of the most valuable social media marketing channels.
Of course, the average user spends more time consuming content rather than creating, and they don't see all 95 million posts. But even so, getting your audience's attention can be tricky, so you want to use all your tricks to maximize your organic reach and engage your ideal customers.
Instagram captions, for example, are frequently overlooked because this social media platform focuses more on images. But that's a mistake. Your caption is perfect for explaining your message and engaging with your followers.
Captions are also a great way to tell stories, ask questions, and add personality to your brand – not to mention they're where your hashtags happen, which means you can use them to reach more potential buyers.
But what do you do when you've run out of Instagram caption ideas and want to build a social media plan that rocks it?
We've got you covered. Check our list of 385 captions to inspire you!
Short Instagram caption ideas
Looking for short Instagram captions to spark up a company picture or a new promotion on a popular product you're offering? Here are some ideas:
"Chasing dreams and making memories.""Life's too short not to smile.""Adventure awaits around every corner.""Sunsets and good vibes.""Living for the moments that take your breath away.""Happiness is homemade.""Finding beauty in the simple things.""Collecting moments, not things.""Embracing the journey, one step at a time.""Making every day a new adventure.""Let positivity be your guide.""Creating my own sunshine.""Living our best life by taking the scenic route.""In a world of possibilities.""Grateful for the little things.""Lost in wanderlust.""Smiling through it all.""Dream big, sparkle more.""Sunny days and good vibes.""Finding joy in the ordinary.""Making memories in every moment.""Living life, one adventure at a time.""Radiating positivity and good vibes.""Chasing sunsets and dreams.""Creating my own sunshine wherever I go.""Happiness looks good on me.""Spreading kindness like confetti.""Life is a beautiful ride.""Love and laughter are my constants.""Making waves wherever I go.""Embracing the beauty of imperfection.""Here for a good time and a long time.""Blessed and grateful every day.""Adventure is calling, I must go.""Living life, loving life."
One-word Instagram caption ideas
...Or maybe just one word to inspire your audience? Here are some of the most popular ones to choose from:
RadiantWanderlustSerenityBlissCaptivateDreamingIlluminateHarmonyAdventureRadiateBlossomFlourishWanderEnchantSerendipityEtherealTranquilJubilantExploreResonateBlissfulThriveSparkleVibrantTranquilityGratitudeMarvelMesmerizeEuphoriaLuminescentUnwindEchoDelightEmbraceJourney
Funny Instagram caption ideas
Show your sense of humor on Instagram and cap off your posts with these funny captions:
"Caffeine and sugar: our two main food groups.""I run entirely on dry shampoo and caffeine.""Being an adult is like folding a fitted sheet. No one really knows how to do it.""My life's a sitcom. Wanna be a co-star?""We're on a seafood diet. We see food, and we eat it.""Taking life one cupcake at a time.""Sweatpants and pizza: our kind of Friday night.""When life gives us lemons, we make a killer lemonade... and a meme about it.""Making business casual look too good since [year of establishment].""Our coffee is stronger than our wifi game.""Raising the bar and then making it a limbo stick.""We're not just a company; we're a meme team.""Behind every successful business is a substantial amount of coffee.""Work smarter, not harder... but also don't forget the snacks.""We've mastered the art of multitasking: typing with one hand, coffee in the other.""If emojis were our product, we'd be the 'laughing-crying' face.""Professionally speaking, we're top-notch meme connoisseurs.""When life throws challenges, we throw puns.""Our business plan? 90% determination, 10% coffee.""Breaking news: our creativity took the day off... said no one in our team ever.""Innovation is our middle name. Well, not literally, but you get the idea.""Proof that professionalism and humor can coexist.""We don't always do business, but when we do, we make it hilarious.""Our idea of 'business casual' involves flip flops and a good joke.""Work hard, laugh harder. It's our motto around here.""If you see us laughing, don't worry; it's just 'business as usual.'""Coffee in one hand, great ideas in the other. And maybe a donut somewhere.""We're like Google, but with more coffee stains.""Taking 'brainstorming' to a whole new level... we blame the lightning.""We specialize in making Mondays tolerable... with memes.""We don't just sell products; we sell insert company name experiences and a lot of laughter.""We're 99% business, 1% unicorn magic.""Our secret ingredient? A dash of humor in every project.""Breaking news: we've upgraded our technology to include sarcasm detection."
Spring ideas for your Instagram captions
Spring around the corner and not sure what captions to use to match your business' Instagram with the season? Here are some ideas:
"Spring is nature's way of saying 'let's party.'""It's never too late to start growing something new.""The earth laughs in flowers.""Waking up to sunshine and blooming flowers; it's finally here, springtime.""Sunshine is the best medicine for the soul.""Spring: proof that after the darkest winter, there's a new beginning.""The world is a canvas, and spring paints it with vibrant colors.""Happiness blooms where seeds of gratitude are planted.""Spring is the perfect excuse to stop and smell the flowers.""April showers bring May flowers, but we can't wait that long.""In the world of flowers, spring is their runway season.""Let's bloom together this springtime.""Roses are red, violets are blue, spring is here, and we're excited to see you!""It's official: winter hibernation mode off, spring adventure mode is ON""Winter was just a practice round; spring is where the real fun begins.""Spring has sprung, and so have our vibrant ideas!""Blossoming into the season with fresh inspirations.""Renewing our creativity with the colors of spring.""Welcoming the season of growth with open arms.""Like flowers in spring, our innovations are in full bloom.""New beginnings and fresh perspectives this spring.""Nature's renewal inspires our business to thrive.""Embracing the spring air and embracing new possibilities.""Sunshine and strategies – the perfect spring blend.""Spring cleaning our ideas, making space for fresh innovations.""Infusing our work with the energy of the spring season.""From rain showers to bright ideas, it's springtime!""Seasonal change, but our commitment to excellence remains constant.""Harnessing the rejuvenating spirit of spring for business growth.""Growth, just like the blooming flowers, is our business mantra.""Springtime vibes making our creativity bloom.""As the flowers bloom, so do our innovative solutions.""Springing forward with new goals and fresh perspectives.""The season of growth aligns perfectly with our business vision.""In step with nature's renewal, our business evolves."
Summer Instagram caption ideas
Summer is the perfect time to have fun, and your Insta should reflect that. Here are some caption ideas to match the sunny season (paired with ice cream and ocean emojis of course!):
"Life's a beach, and we're just here for the ride.""Sun, sand, and [business name]: our summer essentials.""Making waves this summer with our innovative ideas.""Summer: the season of new beginnings and endless possibilities.""Feeling as carefree as a summer breeze.""The sun is shining, and so are our ideas.""From beach trips to business trips; that's how we roll in the summertime.""Find us where the sand meets the sea and creativity meets innovation.""Summer vibes and good vibes only.""Taking time to recharge and refresh our creative minds this summer.""Life is better with a little bit of sunshine and a lot of innovation.""Sunny days call for sunny ideas.""We're soaking up the summer sun and turning it into success.""Bringing the heat with our innovative strategies this summer.""Channeling that summertime energy into our business growth.""Sizzling ideas and scorching creativity. It's summertime!""Bringing the heat to our business strategies this summer.""Sun-kissed goals and beachy vibes for a productive summer.""Embracing the summer sun as we fuel our innovative spirit.""Riding the waves of success this summer season.""In full swing for summer - where our ideas shine brighter.""Summer days, brighter ways – that's our business motto!""Just like a summer breeze, our ideas are refreshing.""Beachy vibes and business thrive in the summer months.""From flip-flops to flip charts – our summer workstyle.""Summer solstice, business brilliance - they go hand in hand.""Seas the day! Business goals as strong as ocean tides.""Turning up the heat on innovative strategies this summer.""Summer goals: thriving business, endless sunshine.""Our business is all shades of summer - bright, bold, and vibrant!""Sunkissed success, one summer goal at a time.""Summer vibes fueling our productivity.""Summer's energy ignites our business's fiery passion.""As temperatures rise, so do our ambitious plans.""Making waves in the industry this summer. The heat is on!"
Fall Instagram captions
Looking for some Fall-inspired Instagram captions? Here's a range of ideas to inspire you:
"Leaves may fall, but our business stays strong.""Autumn air, crisp ideas; it's a perfect match.""Falling leaves, rising success. That's how we do fall.""Embracing the season's changing colors, just like our business embraces change.""Leaves may change, but our dedication to excellence remains constant.""Pumpkin spice and everything innovative – how we roll in the fall.""Autumn leaves and new beginnings: it's a perfect combination.""Falling into autumn with fresh perspectives and ideas.""The season of change aligns perfectly with our business growth.""Leaves may fall, but our creativity never stops blooming.""It's snuggle season, but our business never stops hustling.""From summer's heat to fall's cool air – our ideas keep evolving.""Fall is nature's way of showing us how beautiful change can be.""As the leaves change, so do our strategies. Staying adaptable this autumn.""Fall goals: growing business, cozy sweaters, and makin' customers happy!""Falling for fresh perspectives this autumn.""Autumn leaves and innovative goals – a perfect match.""Season of change, sparking new ideas in our business.""Like the changing leaves, our strategies evolve this fall.""Harvesting new insights as we embrace the autumn breeze.""Pumpkin spice and everything nice – including our business plans!""Falling into new opportunities this autumn season.""Autumn's palette inspires our creativity to soar.""From apple picking to goal setting – it's autumn at our business.""As the leaves turn, so does our focus on growth.""Autumn vibes fueling our productivity and innovation.""Rustic charm meets cutting-edge ideas this fall.""Embracing the cozy feel of autumn in our business strategies.""Chasing goals among the falling leaves this season.""Like a crisp fall day, our strategies are refreshing.""Seasonal change, but our dedication remains constant.""Falling leaves, rising business goals – it's autumnal magic.""Leaves may fall, but our motivation stands tall.""Pumpkin-spiced innovation brewing at our business.""Autumn's arrival signals a harvest of fresh ideas for us."
Winter caption ideas
There's magic in the winter air, but that doesn't mean you should freeze up your Instagram profile with boring captions. Here are some cool caption ideas to sparkle your creativity:
"Baby it's cold outside, but our business is just heating up.""Tis the season for hot cocoa and even hotter ideas.""Snowflakes may be unique, but so are our strategies.""Winter wonderland vibes and cutting-edge ideas – a perfect match.""Cozy up with us every day from 9 am on [address].""Let it snow, let it glow – our creativity shines even in the wintertime.""Frozen fingers and fiery ideas, that's our winter workstyle.""There's no "unique snowflake" in TEAM – or what was it?""Winter days may be short, but our goals are long-term.""Hot cocoa in hand, fresh ideas in mind – that's how we conquer the world...ahem...cold.""Frosty mornings, sure, but our business never freezes up.""Winter goals: success, snow angels, and hot ideas.""From cozy sweaters to innovative strategies – we're all about the winter vibes.""Braving the cold with creativity as our warmest weapon.""Snowflakes may melt, but our dedication remains constant.""Winter wonderland, where our ideas snowball into greatness.""Frosty days, but our business is heating up with innovation.""Embracing the chill with warm-hearted strategies this winter.""Snowflakes and fresh takes – that's our business in winter.""As the snow falls, so do our plans for success.""Chilling and thriving – our business in the winter months.""Winter vibes, firing up our creative engines.""From hot cocoa to hot strategies, it's all about warmth.""Snowfall sparks creativity in our business landscape.""Cold outside, but our ideas are keeping things warm.""Winter's cold, but our business goals are red-hot.""Icy weather, fiery ambitions – that's our winter vibe.""Bundled up in innovation this winter season.""Chilling and billing – our winter workstyle.""Frosty mornings, but our ideas are crystal clear.""Winter blues? Not in our business playbook.""Snow-covered goals, melting into successful outcomes.""Snowflakes are unique, just like our business strategies.""Winter winds bring a fresh perspective to our work.""Cold days, warm plans – that's our winter strategy."
Birthday/anniversary Instagram captions
Your company anniversary or a workmate's birthday/ work anniversary are great reasons to celebrate – in real life and on Instagram too. Here are some birthday caption ideas to inspire you on this special day:
"Still going strong, even after [insert number of years]""Another year of hard work, passion, and success – cheers to that!""[Name] is another year wiser and our business is another year stronger.""A milestone worth celebrating – happy birthday/anniversary to us!""Together we've accomplished so much, here's to many more years of greatness.""From humble beginnings to [insert number of years] of success – we've come a long way.""Happy birthday/anniversary to the one who makes our team shine!""Another year older, but never wavering in our dedication and drive.""Today marks a special day for our business and [insert name] – double the celebration!""Proud to be part of this journey since day one. Happy anniversary!""Another trip around the sun, another year of achieving greatness.""Wishing a happy birthday/anniversary to the backbone of our team, [name]!""A toast to [insert number of years], and all the growth, success, and memories that came with it.""Celebrating another year of hard work, determination, and teamwork - happy birthday/anniversary!""Happy anniversary – another year stronger, wiser and more successful.""Another year in business, another reason to celebrate our amazing team.""[Name] is proof that great things get even better with age/years!""Celebrating [insert number of years] of success and making a difference in the world.""To many more years of dreaming big, achieving goals and making an impact – happy anniversary!""Wishing a happy birthday/anniversary to the one who adds sparkle to our team.""Today we celebrate [insert number of years] of perseverance, hard work and success – cheers to that!""Happy birthday/anniversary to the one who makes it all happen behind the scenes!""Who knew a business could have so many birthdays and not age a day!""It's our anniversary! We're officially too old for Snapchat but too young for Life Alert!""We've been around the sun more times than we can count. Just kidding, it's been [insert number of years].""Shout out to [Name]. The older they get, the harder it becomes to find a card that doesn't insult their age!""Today, we're celebrating [insert number of years] of not getting caught pretending to work.""Happy work anniversary to [Name]. They're like a fine wine – they only get better with age (and after they've been opened).""Just like wine, we're getting better with age. Or maybe we just feel better about our age with a lot of wine!""They say age is just a number. But in business, it's a status symbol. Here's to [insert number of years]!""Another year, another wrinkle. Happy work anniversary, [Name]!""It's been [insert number of years] of making our competition wish they hired [Name]. Happy work anniversary!""[Name] just turned [x] years at [company name]! Woohoo! Ok, now back to work, everyone. Chop-chop!""Another year of hard work, dedication, and a little bit of craziness. Happy birthday/anniversary to [Name]!""Today we celebrate [insert number of years] of being awesome."
Sassy captions for Instagram
If your brand is all about sass and attitude, then these captions will be right up your alley. Use them to inspire some spice for your Instagram posts:
"Too glam to give a damn.""Boss babes don't follow trends, they set them.""When life gives you lemons, sell them and buy champagne.""On Wednesdays, we wear sass.""My hobbies include overthinking and sass.""Who needs Prince Charming when you have a killer attitude?""I'm not arguing, I'm just passionately expressing my opinions.""Confidence level: Kanye West (without the ego).""I'm not bossy, I'm just the boss.""A sass a day keeps the basic away.""I'm not high maintenance, I just know what I want.""Sarcasm is my love language.""New job must-have requirements for all employees: a degree in sass and a minor in humor!""Why fit in when you were born to stand out?""We're not arguing, we're just explaining why I'm right.""Our strategy? Stronger than your double espresso.""Competition trying to keep up? We're already onto the next trend.""Innovation isn't for the faint-hearted.""Sorry, can't hear the doubters over our success.""When they go low, we go high... in our quarterly profits.""Not just trendsetters, we're trend breakers.""Working nine to wine, because we're crushing goals during office hours.""Building empires while others play checkers.""We don't follow trends; we set them.""Born to stand out, not to fit in.""Here to disrupt industries, not just attend meetings.""Success looks good on us, don't you think?""Changing the game one strategy at a time.""In a world full of followers, be a leader. We're leading.""Our attitude: positively competitive.""Don't wait for opportunity; create it. We did.""When they say it can't be done, watch us do it.""Not just a company, a revolution in progress.""Innovation is our language, success is our dialect.""We're not here to play it safe, we're here to make waves."
Happiness Instagram captions
Spread some positivity and happiness on your Instagram feed with these uplifting captions:
"Happiness is an inside job.""Choose joy, every single day.""Life is better when you're laughing.""Be the reason someone smiles today.""Happiness is not a destination, it's a journey.""Find joy in the little things.""Let your smile change the world, but don't let the world change your smile.""The pursuit of happiness is a lifelong journey.:"Happiness is our driving force and our ultimate product.""From our team to your day: sprinkling happiness!""Smiles included with every interaction. It's our policy.""Creating joy, one product at a time.""Customer happiness is our success story.""Happy customers, happy us.""Spreading happiness, one delivery at a time.""Our formula for success? Mix in a lot of happiness.""Finding joy in the little things, celebrating the big victories.""Bringing sunshine to your day, even on cloudy ones.""Creating moments that make you smile, that's our goal.""Your happiness is our priority, always.""Serving happiness on a silver platter.""In the business of making smiles contagious.""Adding a dash of joy to your everyday life.""Because happiness never goes out of style.""Your satisfaction, our happiness.""Building a happier world, step by step.""Where quality meets happiness.""At [Business Name], happiness isn't just a byproduct, it's our mission.""Smiling is our favorite form of communication.""Creating a ripple effect of happiness, one customer at a time.""Making the world a happier place, one post at a time.""Happiness looks good on everyone.""It's not about finding happiness; it's about creating it.""Finding joy in the journey, not just the destination.""A little bit of happiness goes a long way."
Inspirational caption ideas
Want to inspire your audience and motivate them to reach their goals? Use these caption ideas on your next Instagram post:
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt"You are capable of amazing things.""Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It's the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill"Invest in yourself, it's the best investment you can make.""The only limit is the one you set for yourself.""The biggest risk is not taking any risks at all." - Mark Zuckerberg"Hard work pays off, but so does self-care and a little bit of rest.""Don't wait for opportunities, create them.""Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.""Success is a journey, not a destination.""The only direction in life is forward; keep moving.""Great things never come from comfort zones.""The harder you work for something, the greater"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." - Oprah Winfrey"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." - Maya Angelou"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein"No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." - Taylor Swift"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller"Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind." - Roy T. Bennett"Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them." - Bob Dylan"Love the life you live. Live the life you love." - Bob Marley"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." - Chinese Proverb"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." - J.K. Rowling"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt"Be happy with being you. Love your flaws. Own your quirks. And know that you are just as perfect as anyone else, exactly as you are." - Ariana Grande "Success doesn't come from what you do occasionally; it comes from what you do consistently." - Marie Forleo "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong." - Abraham Lincoln "A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." - John Lennon"Believe in yourself and all that you are capable of.""Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle." - Jon Acuff"I realize everybody wants what they don't have. But at the end of the day, what you have inside is much more beautiful than what's on the outside!" - Selena Gomez"Your potential is endless, don't limit yourself.""Your mindset is your greatest asset; nourish it wisely."
[BONUS] How to create great Instagram captions
Writing Instagram captions can be challenging, especially when you have to create a lot of them in a relatively short amount of time. Here are some best practices on how to make the process easier:
Know your target audience
Before writing any caption (or any type of social media copy, really), it's important to know who you are targeting. Are they young adults, parents, fitness enthusiasts? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your captions to resonate with them and their interests.
Your social media strategy should start with an in-depth knowledge of your target audience, so if you're unsure about who you are trying to reach, do some research and create buyer personas to guide your content creation.
Stay true to your brand voice
Your brand has a unique personality, and that should reflect in your Instagram captions. If your brand is known for being witty and playful, your captions should be too. Consistency in voice and tone will help build a stronger brand identity on social media.
Add the most important words at the beginning
In general, people don't read everything when they're online – and much less on a platform that's largely image-driven (like Instagram). As such, you need to make sure your audience will get the main message even if they don't read to the end, so use the most important words at the beginning to grab their attention.
Be smart with your hashtags
Instagram hashtags are a great way to increase your reach and engagement, but don't go overboard. Using too many hashtags can make your caption look messy and unprofessional. Stick to 5-7 relevant hashtags to help you reach your target audience.
Ask questions to engage the audience
Engaging your audience helps you drive more attention to your posts – and taps into the main purpose of social media (which is, to incite conversations). Asking questions in your captions is a great way to encourage your followers to leave comments and share their thoughts with you. It also shows that you value their opinions and engagement.
Include a call to action
If you want people to take action (liking the post, following you, or clicking on a link), be sure to ask for it. When on social media, people don't always think they should do something unless you tell them to, so include a simple call to action in your captions.
Writing the perfect Instagram caption: art and science
Instagram captions like the ones in this article can be a great source of inspiration, but you should always strive to create original content that reflects your unique brand and style. Crafting the perfect Instagram caption is both an art and a science, so don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you and your audience.
Here are some additional tips to help you write great Instagram captions:
Keep it short and sweet: Try to keep your captions concise, around 125 characters or less. This will make it easier for people to read and engage with your post.Use emojis: Emojis can add a fun and playful element to your captions. Just make sure to use them sparingly and in a relevant way to your content.Be authentic: Share personal stories, experiences, and thoughts in captions. Authenticity resonates with people and helps to build a stronger connection with your audience.Use humor: Humor is a great way to grab attention and make people smile. Just be mindful of cultural sensitivities, as what may be funny to some may not be to others.Use user-generated content (UGC): Encourage your followers to share content related to your brand or products and use these images or videos in your posts. This builds a sense of community and provides diverse and authentic content for your captions.Collaborate with influencers: Partnering with influencers can help expand your reach and bring new perspectives to your content. Plus, their unique voice and style can add value to your Instagram captions.
Most importantly, though, have fun in the process. This is really one of the best parts of being a social media manager!
Want to learn more about nailing social media and making it work for your brand? We've put together a list of 41 books about social media to help you dig deeper.
...And if you need a helping hand, don't hesitate to contact Mayple. We'll match you with an Instagram consultant to help you create a winning Instagram strategy and grow your brand on the platform.
Social Media MarketingThe Ultimate Social Media Management ChecklistFrom afar, social media marketing seems easy. Publish some posts, like some others, and spend the rest of your time mindlessly scrolling up and down on social media platforms. That's about it, right?
Wrong.
Social media management is incredibly complex, time-consuming, and bears a massive responsibility for your business. More than 4.95 billion people (almost the entirety of all internet users) are on social media. To meet your audience halfway these days, your business should do more than just "check the box" and have a vague online presence, or publish a few posts on Facebook. It should be active, relevant, attention-grabbing, smart about collaborations, invested in paid ads, and constantly optimizing content.
How do you do that?
Consistency and organization is key. That is precisely why we've put together a list of everything social media management implies, both at the high level and into the nitty-gritty.
Keep reading to find out more.
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Why is a social media management checklist important?
Checklists may not magically do your work for you (we wish!), but they can surely guide you through the myriad of tasks a social media manager needs to handle. If you want to stay on top of everything and have a clear overview of your social media management strategy, you need to consider a social media checklist.
The main tasks of a social media manager
Social media marketing used to be easier. You'd find some industry-relevant links, bring them together with some blog posts on your website, schedule everything on a social media platform, and then work on building the account, engaging with others, and so on.
Meanwhile, social channels have gotten more complex and a large part of both organic and paid marketing efforts heavily rely on social media channels. So, seemingly overnight, a social media manager's job got...way harder.
The essence is the same: creating engaging content that resonates with your audience. However, social media management is now a multi-layered task that requires more time and effort than ever before.
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The basic tasks of a social manager include:
Sharing content
One of the core responsibilities of a social media manager is to share content that is relevant, beneficial, and engaging for the audience. This involves curating, creating, and distributing different types of content across various social media platforms to foster brand visibility, encourage audience interaction, and drive traffic to the business's website or blog.
Doing this requires a deep understanding of the brand's audience, preferences, and social media algorithms to ensure the content reaches the desired demographic.
Engaging with followers on relevant channels
Engaging with followers and relevant channels is another crucial task for a social media manager.
It involves responding to comments, messages, and reviews, participating in discussions, and building a vibrant online community. This personal interaction helps to humanize the brand, deepen customer relationships, and foster brand loyalty.
Monitoring brand presence
Monitoring brand presence is crucial in maintaining the brand's image and reputation online. It involves tracking mentions of the brand across all social platforms, responding to negative feedback diplomatically, and leveraging positive feedback. This allows the social media manager to assess public sentiment, identify potential crises, and discover opportunities for engagement and growth.
Reporting, analyzing, and improving
A social media manager's duties are multi-faceted and increasingly complex. They must share relevant and engaging content, interact with followers and other channels, monitor the brand's social media presence, and perform regular reporting, analysis, and improvements. These tasks require a deep understanding of the audience, the ability to manage relationships, and the skills to analyze and respond to brand sentiment across all social platforms.
Running ads
Running ads is an integral part of a social media manager's role. It involves designing and executing targeted advertising campaigns across various social media platforms. These campaigns are tailored to reach a specific demographic, increase brand awareness, drive traffic, and ultimately, boost sales. This requires a thorough understanding of ad management tools, audience targeting, budgeting, and analyzing ad performance for continuous optimization.
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The essential social media strategy checklist
If you want to make sure your social media marketing efforts amount to more than a few random likes and comments, you need to have a solid social media strategy in place. This is where the social media management checklist comes in handy. It helps to keep track of every aspect of your strategy and ensure that no important steps are missed out.
Guiding strategy markers
Your social media strategy is where it all starts from. This is your North Light in the social media maze, the blueprint that will you focused on your goals and objectives. It should include a clear definition of your target audience, content themes and types, posting frequency, budget allocation for social media ads (if applicable), and overall campaign goals.
Set your social media goals
Setting clear, measurable goals for your social media strategy is crucial as it provides direction, enables you to benchmark progress, and ultimately, ensures that your efforts align with your overarching business objectives.
Define your key performance indicators
Defining your social media performance indicators is essential because it provides quantifiable metrics to gauge the effectiveness of your social media marketing, allowing for comprehensive performance assessment and strategic adjustments.
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Choose your platforms
Choosing the right social media platforms is vital as it ensures your content reaches the appropriate audience, maximizing engagement, brand visibility, and return on investment.
Define your buyer persona
Defining your buyer persona is fundamental because it gives you a clear understanding of who your ideal customers are, what they want, and how your social media strategy can best engage them, thereby optimizing your marketing efforts for better conversion rates.
Define your key visuals
Defining your key visuals is essential as they not only generate higher engagement than text-based content, but also ensure consistency in branding and messaging, enhancing recognition and recall, and ultimately driving customer conversion.
Research keywords & hashtags
Researching keywords and hashtags is vital as they increase the discoverability and reach of your content on social media, thus enhancing your brand visibility and engagement rate.
Choose your social media tools
Understanding and implementing a strategic social media management process is crucial, as it directly impacts a business' social media presence, customer engagement, and overall business growth.
As a general rule, you will need a
Social media scheduling tool for the entire teamGraphic design tool like Canva, for the entire social media team to useSocial listening software to eavesdrop on what others are saying about your brand, on social
Analyze your competition
Analyzing your competition is crucial, as it provides valuable insights into market trends, identifies potential threats, reveals new opportunities, and helps craft strategies that give your brand a competitive edge.
Want to keep track of your competition on social media? Download our social media marketing kit for free and use our competitor analysis Google Sheet to stay on top of your competitors!
Social content strategy
Your social content is the beating heart at the core of your social media strategy. It is what sparks engagement, drives traffic to your website, and builds brand awareness and loyalty. Therefore, it should be well-planned, relevant, high quality, and optimized for each platform.
To ensure your social content works for your purposes, go through the following social media marketing checklist:
Create or update your social media profiles
Creating or updating your profiles is important as it ensures that your brand's identity is accurately and consistently presented across all social media platforms. This helps with brand recognition and increasing trust and engagement among your target audience.
Create content in bulk
Creating content in bulk is significant as it ensures a consistent flow of quality content across platforms, saves time, and allows for strategic planning and coordination of posts with business events or trends.
Use content templates
Using content templates is crucial as it ensures brand consistency, improves efficiency by streamlining the content creation process, and allows for easy adaptation across different social media platforms.
Choose your hashtags
Choosing the right hashtags is paramount as they increase the visibility of your content on social media, thereby enhancing your reach, encouraging engagement, and potentially attracting new followers and potential customers.
Create a content calendar
Creating a content calendar is crucial as it provides a strategic, organized plan for your social media posts, ensuring consistent, timely content that aligns with your brand's objectives and maximizes audience engagement.
Experiment often
Frequent experimentation with content types, posting times, and engagement strategies is essential as it facilitates understanding of what resonates best with your audience, allowing for continual optimization of your social media strategy.
Download our free social media marketing tool and build a social media strategy that will work for your business!
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Distribution
"Create once, distribute forever" (Ross Simonds) has been severely over-used and abused over the last couple of years. But there's a reason everyone keeps repeating it: it's true. Keep the following tips in mind to make sure your distribution plan works:
Go where your audience is
Understanding the platforms where your target audience congregates the most is crucial as it ensures your content is being distributed in spaces most likely to induce engagement, thus maximizing your reach and return on investment.
Partner with influencers
Partnering with industry influencers is instrumental as they can amplify your reach, credibility, and customer trust. Because they use their established follower base, they can help you drive greater brand awareness and customer conversion.
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Repurpose your content
Repurposing your content is essential as it allows you to maximize the reach and lifespan of your content by adapting it for different platforms or formats, thereby enabling you to engage a wider audience and improve return on investment.
Incentivize employees to engage
Employees have insider knowledge of your brand, which gives them a unique position as authentic brand ambassadors. Incentivizing employees to engage with posts amplifies your content's reach and credibility by leveraging their social networks.
Boost your best-performing posts
Boosting your best-performing posts is vital because it leverages their proven appeal to further increase your content's visibility, reach, and engagement, thereby maximizing your return on investment in social media marketing.
Community
Social media is all about community, so, naturally, your strategy should incorporate how you plan on building and nurturing a community through your social platforms. Here are some points to include here:
Keep an eye on brand mentions
Using a social media monitoring tool is essential to stay informed of any brand mentions, whether positive or negative, enabling you to respond quickly and effectively, thereby preserving your brand's reputation and customer satisfaction.
Reply to comments quickly
Replying to comments quickly is also important -- it fosters a sense of community, shows your audience that their opinions are valued, and reinforces the perception of your brand as responsive and customer-centric.
Incentivize followers for UGC
UCG (user generated content) is a goldmine for every brand: it engages others, builds trust, can be used for social proof (as long as the users agree, of course), and is, well, free (or almost free.) Incentivizing followers for UGC will encourage them to create and share content about your brand, thereby increasing reach and engagement.
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Chat about trending topics
Discussing trending topics promotes engagement by aligning your brand with relevant discussions, potentially expanding your reach and visibility in the social media landscape. Just be sure you only discuss trending topics relevant to your brand and industry. Otherwise, you might either turn your social profiles into a motley medley of unrelated content or, worse yet, offend your audience and damage your brand's reputation.
Analytics & reporting
Those fuzzy feelings you get when people engage with your content? They're magical, but your board needs cold, hard numbers if you want continued funding. Include the following in your analytics and reporting strategy:
Engagement
When people engage with your content, it's a sign you got their attention well enough to make them stop their infinite scroll to give your brand a second of their attention. Likes and reactions are great, comments are better, and shares are mind-blowing-level good. Track all of them and search for patterns in what drives more engagement so you can produce more of it.
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Follower growth
Follower growth is a metric that indicates how many people are interested in what your brand has to say and offer. Monitoring your follower growth over time can help you understand if your content strategy is attracting and retaining your target audience.
Clicks
Tracking clicks is essential if you use social media to send people to your website (on landing pages, blog posts, etc.). This metric tells you how many people clicked on the links from your social media posts, giving you an idea of how successful your call-to-action (CTA) is. While a bit more complicated (you need to set up UTMs and track clicks in Google Analytics), this metric can help you build an attribution model for your social media efforts.
(Semi-optional) Track your competitors
Taking a peek into your enemy's backyard isn't something you should dwell on too much. But every now and then, looking at their engagement on social media helps you understand things like:
What your audience likes/ doesn't likeWhat industry trends are dominatingIf there's a general drop in engagement or impressions due to algorithm changes
A social media checklist for every day, week, and month
It is a well-known fact social media managers will rise from their own graves to make sure their posts went live. But if you want to know what a social media specialist does (or if you simply want to build a checklist for yourself), here it is:
Daily
A social media manager's day likely starts like everyone else's day: with coffee. Once their eyes are unglued and their brain is functioning, they will
Check & reply to notifications on all social media accounts Check & reply to mentions on other social media profiles Reply to direct messages or redirect incoming messages to the best department in the company Track and see if inbound messages you forwarded in previous weeks have been handled Follow & inviteTake a look at your keywordsSchedule the next day’s worth of postsResearch for inspirationEngage with relevant postsBrainstorm & work on new ideas
Weekly
Here's a quick list of tasks you should run through on a weekly basis:
Connect with (at least) an influencerPlan content calendarMaking requests for all creative assets to be used one week from nowTrack weekly KPIsBrainstorm ideas & identify trends (check your Google Alerts, the news, trending hashtags, and so on)Do a community checkUpdate paid social media campaigns
Monthly
Prepare your reportsRun a quick social media auditSet goals (and ensure they match with the overall business goals)List experiments you want to tryPlan for the monthApply lessons learned
Your social media marketing checklist: the key to staying on track
As a social media manager, you've got a lot of that. Your job may have been easier a few years ago: schedule posts, make sure you have a backlog of ready content for the upcoming month, and so on.
But with each social platform on a different posting schedule and algorithm, paid ads in the mix, and multiple networks to keep track of, a checklist is essential for staying on top of everything.
The bottom line? Use this social media management checklist to make sure your strategy is in check, you're hitting all the main tasks, and you're growing your target audience. The simplest Google Sheet or Google Doc can help you stay on top of everything you need to do, juggle all your tasks masterfully, and never miss out on something you need to do regularly.
Need help with your socials? Contact Mayple and allow us to match you with the best social media marketing agency for your industry. We vet each of them manually and only match our clients with the very best in a matter of days!
Social Media MarketingFree Social Media Strategy Worksheet For Any Platform 2024What is social media marketing?
Social media marketing is a digital marketing branch that uses social media platforms and websites to engage with a business's target customers, drive feedback and support, as well as promote products and services.
Broadly, social media marketing includes both organic and paid efforts. However, since paid social media is a monster in its own category, we will only be discussing organic social media for the purpose of this guide.
Here's a separate guide, if you want to learn more about social media advertising.
What is a social media marketing strategy?
Many people mistakenly think a social media marketing strategy is the same as social media tactics. The error is easy to understand: both components are about using social media.
However, a social media strategy is a comprehensive action plan that outlines the business objectives, target customers, and tactics to be used on different social media platforms. It includes the various tactics that will be used to achieve the business goals discussed in the strategy.
In this step-by-step guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to create a social media marketing plan from scratch. This guide explains how to deal with every element you need to build and elevate your social media presence.
Plus, based on this comprehensive guide, we've also created a social media strategy template you can access and use 100% free of charge. Just click here, copy the spreadsheet, and use it as you please. The document includes:
A social media strategy template/ worksheet A content calendar template A buyer persona builderA social media audit templateA competitor analysis template for social media
How to write a mission statement for your social media
Mission statements get frequently overlooked, but they are a significant element of strong social media strategies.
Your business' mission statement should be short, specific, and to the point. It should answer the question "What is your business trying to achieve on social media?" Take this as your guiding statement, your North Star in everything you do on social platforms.
Here are some quick tips on how to write a comprehensive, compelling, and effective mission statement:
Start with your business's overall goals and objectives.Identify your target customers and their needs.Determine the unique value proposition of your brand.Keep it concise, memorable, and inspiring.Make sure it aligns with your brand's voice and values.
A simple template for a social media mission statement would be:
"We are [business name], using social media to [specific goal or objective] for [target audience] by providing [unique value proposition]."
How to choose your goals
You'll never know if your social media strategy works if you don't have goals to measure against. As such, setting the goals for your strategy is a crucial place to start. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when choosing your social media goals:
SMART goals
The SMART goal framework is a well-known model for setting goals:
Specific: For example, "increase engagement" is vague; get clear about how much you want to increase it.Measurable: Not all social media goals are measurable so try to find adequate metrics for each goal where possible.Achievable: There's no point in setting yourself up for failure – set attainable goals.Realistic: Make sure you have the necessary resources and capabilities to reach your goals.Time-bound: Setting a deadline for achieving your goals will help drive action and measure success.
Using this framework will help you make sure your goals are clear and achievable. For example, instead of setting a goal to "increase brand awareness," set a SMART goal like "gain 500 new followers on Instagram within the next three months."
Align goals, metrics, and buyer’s journey
Social media goals don't exist in a bubble. They need to be correlated with the buyer's journey and specific metrics that measure success. Whether your goal is to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, or generate leads, ensure it aligns with the stage of the buyer's journey and can be measured by a relevant metric.
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Examples of goals
Although not exhaustive, the following list of social media marketing goals tends to provide a good starting point for many businesses and social media marketing agencies:
Site trafficBrand awarenessEngagementLeadsCommunityCustomer support
Learn more about your audience
No matter what trends, tactics, or platforms come and go, one thing remains constant: knowing your audience details is key to success in social media marketing.
By understanding your target audience's demographics, interests, behaviors, and preferences, you can create content that resonates with them and drives results. Here are a few ways to learn more about your audience:
Age: What are the most likely age groups to engage with your brand on socials?Location: Where does your ideal customer live?Income: How much do they make?Jobs: What is their profession or trade? Are they mainly self-starters or do they have higher education?Interests: What are likely their interests, hobbies, and passions?Behaviors: How do they behave online? What type of content do they engage with?Preferences: What kind of content do they prefer to see on social media, in general, and from your brand specifically?Socials they follow: Which social media networks are they likely to be on? Are there any stats to prove your assumption? For example, most social media marketers still assume TikTok is just for teenagers, but data tells a different story.Feedback and surveys: Ask your audience directly what they like, dislike, and want to see from your brand. This can provide valuable insights.Customer engagement metrics: Look at how your audience is engaging with your content. What types of social media posts or topics get the most engagement? Pay attention to comments, shares, and clicks.
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How to run a competitive analysis
Your brand and social networks don't exist in a vacuum: no matter what you sell and where there's a big chance you have at least some sort of partial competition. Analyzing their socials will help you understand how to differentiate your content and positioning to stand out.
To conduct a competitive audit, follow these steps:
1. Identify your competitors
2. Observe their social media presence and activity
3. Analyze their content:
What channels are they using?What is their tone of voice?What is their engagement like?How frequently do they post?
4. Determine how you can do better
How to audit your existing social media channels
If you already have social channels, you should audit them thoroughly. This will help you identify areas for improvement and make sure your channels are aligned with your current goals and brand messaging. Some important questions to ask during a social media audit include:
How often are you posting on each channel?Which channels are you targeting?What’s working?What isn’t working?Who is engaging with your socials?How are your partnerships working?How are your social channels compared to your competition?Are there impostor accounts copying you?What are your main challenges?
To answer these questions, you should run polls and surveys, look at your social media analytics (like audience growth and audience engagement), as well as use social listening to "eavesdrop" on what people are saying about you in the market. Also, you should make sure to measure your own metrics against updated industry benchmarks. All this information will help you build a solid social strategy built on actual customer centricity.
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Find inspiration for your socials
Social media inspiration is important because it will help you get a better grasp of where you want to go with your socials. Plus, it can also be a great way to train new team members in your company. Here's where to look for inspiration:
Look at your competitors, not necessarily to copy them but to see what works for them and how you can differentiate yourself.Follow industry leaders and influencers in your niche.Read books on social media and case studies of what worksEngage with your audience on social media and listen to their feedback. What do they want to see more of?Stay up to date with social media trends and best practices.Experiment with new formats and social profiles, such as Instagram Reels or TikTok. Don't be afraid to try something new and see how your audience responds.
How to create a social media content calendar
Having a calendar in place is essential to maintain consistency and measure your efforts correctly. As mentioned before, our social media strategy template includes a social media content calendar template with some of the essentials you need to cover when planning out your social media content strategy.
Here's how to determine how to fill in your content calendar as consistently as possible:
Social channels
When determining which social media platforms to include in your calendar, ask
Is your audience there?Is your competition there — and is it working out for them?Does it fit with your brand?Can you allocate the necessary resources to stay consistent?
Frequency
How often do you want to post? Following best practices and benchmarks is a good way to start, but ultimately, the right frequency will depend on your unique audience and goals. Just make sure to stay consistent once you determine your posting frequency, and then measure and experiment with different types of posting schedules.
As a general rule, as of November 2023, industry experts recommend posting:
1-2 times/day on Facebook2-3 times/day on Twitter1-2 times/day on LinkedIn1 time/week on Pinterest3-5 times/week on Instagram3-5 times/week on TikTok
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Content mix
You also want to determine the type of content mix you want to have on your calendar. This can include a mix of promotional posts, user-generated content, industry news and trends, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Variety is key to keeping your audience engaged and interested in your brand.
As a general tip, sticking to the 80/20 rule is a good idea to maintain a good balance of promotional and engaging content. This means that 80% of your posts should provide value to your audience, while only 20% should be self-promotional.
Alternatively, you can also go for the rule of thirds: one-third of your posts should be promotional, one-third should be industry-related or educational, and one-third should be personal or behind-the-scenes content.
Time to post
Each channel has a different "best time of the day" and "best time of the week" to post on. Although there are industry benchmarks to help you with this, keep in mind it's all very relative to where your audience and community are located and when they are most likely to scroll down on social media.
For instance, most people open social platforms:
Over breakfastOn their commuteAfter lunchBefore bed
What you sell is just as important for determining the best time to post too. For instance, if you're selling B2B products, it might be more likely your audience is primed to engage or buy from you after their lunch break at work. If you sell cosmetics or fashion products, however, it might be best to target the before-bed timeframe when people are winding down and scrolling through their feeds.
Social media KPIs (key performance indicators) to keep an eye on
Once you have your audience, channels, and goals in place, it's time to decide which metrics you'll follow. This is crucial because it will allow you to track performance (and how it influences your bottom line).
To make sure you can report on and measure your goals, you should add benchmarks to the process. These metrics will vary based on the platform, but here are some general ones to consider:
Reach or impressions, to raise awareness among a larger audience with your contentEngagement (likes, comments, shares), to use social content to drive interestClick-through rates (link clicks), to determine if your product and content drive attentionConversions (purchases or sign-ups)
Make sure also to measure your social media performance against the buyer's journey. For instance, you could create a framework that looks like this:
Awareness: impressions, likes, shares, comments, engagement, view durationConsideration: CTRConversion: conversions as measured through UTMs, or Uniquery Tracking Modules, connect your social media campaigns to conversions on your websiteCustomer loyalty: social media testimonials or reviews (on your Facebook page, for example)
If you want to follow the effectiveness of your social media efforts in detail, create a post performance report for each piece of content you publish. Doing this will help you drive audience engagement and audience growth, ultimately converting more people into buying from you.
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Top best practices for each social media platform
Each social channel comes with its own specificities and best practices. Here are some general tips to keep in mind for each:
Facebook
Focus: quality posts. Facebook is an overcrowded place, so it's extremely easy to get lost in the noise. To stand out, focus on providing value and creating engaging posts that make people want to share your content.Be: a visual brand. Facebook is a highly visual platform. Make sure you create beautiful images and use videos to catch people's attention.Use: Facebook groups. Groups are a great way to build an engaged community and foster conversations around your brand or industry.Engage: with your audience. Respond to comments and messages in a timely manner, and don't be afraid to ask questions or start conversations with your followers.
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Twitter/X
Focus: quantity and short posts. Twitter is all about quick, concise information. Keep your tweets short and to the point to catch people's attention. Weave in the occasional educational thread as well to show depth of expertise and authority in your industry.Be: human. Twitter is a great platform for building relationships with your audience by engaging in conversations and being authentic.Use: hashtags. Hashtags are a powerful way to expand your reach and join relevant conversations.Engage: in real-time. Twitter is all about being in the moment, so make sure to respond quickly and participate in live events or trending topics when relevant.
LinkedIn
Focus: professionalism. LinkedIn is a professional platform, so make sure your content reflects that by providing valuable information and insights for your industry.Be: a thought leader. Share your expertise and knowledge through long-form posts or articles on LinkedIn to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry.Use: LinkedIn groups. Similar to Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups are a great way to engage with professionals in your industry and build relationships.Engage: with your audience and other brands or content creators. Doing this will help the algorithm determine you're invested in the platform, and thus, it will push your content to more people.
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Pinterest
Focus: visually appealing content. Pinterest is all about beautiful images, so make sure you're creating visually appealing pins that will catch people's attention.Be: strategic with keywords. Pinterest is also a search engine, so make sure to use relevant keywords in your pins and boards to increase discoverability.Use: Pinterest analytics. Make use of the analytics provided by Pinterest to track performance and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Instagram
Focus: visual storytelling. Instagram is primarily a visual platform, so use this to your advantage by creating visually appealing and cohesive posts that tell a story.Be: authentic. Instagram users value authenticity, so make sure to showcase the human side of your brand and engage with your audience in a genuine way.Use: hashtags and geotags. Hashtags and geotags are a great way to increase discoverability and connect with relevant communities on Instagram.Engage: with your audience. Instagram is all about building relationships, so make sure to respond to comments and messages from your followers to foster engagement and loyalty.
TikTok
Focus: creativity. TikTok is a platform that values creativity and authenticity, so don't be afraid to experiment with different types of content and showcase your brand's personality.Be: entertaining. TikTok is all about providing entertainment, so make sure your content is engaging, fun, and shareable.Use: trending sounds and hashtags. Keep up with the latest trends on TikTok by using popular sounds and hashtags in your videos to increase visibility.Engage: with other creators and users. Collaborate with other creators or engage with user-generated content to build relationships and expand your reach on the platform.
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Bonus: How to create a social media crisis response strategy
Like it or not, being on social media as a brand means you're opening the gates to two-way, public communication. This means that the occasional angry or disappointed customer can leave a negative comment or review on your social media platforms. Here's how to handle these situations:
Acknowledge the issue: Respond to the complaint as soon as possible and acknowledge the problem.Apologize: If appropriate, apologize for any inconvenience caused by the issue.Offer a solution: Provide a solution or offer to rectify the situation in a timely manner.Take the conversation offline: Provide contact information for the customer to reach out directly and continue the discussion in private.Monitor and follow up: Keep an eye on the situation and make sure it's resolved. Follow up with the customer if necessary to ensure their satisfaction.Be quick: Responding quickly shows that you care about your customers and their concerns.Stay professional: Always remain professional and respectful, even in the face of criticism or negativity.Learn from it: Use this as a learning experience to improve your product or service and prevent similar situations in the future.
Assign ownership: Nobody can be on social media 24/7 (and disheartened comments and social media disasters do tend to happen after hours). However, it's a good idea to ensure someone in the customer support team is permanently monitoring your social media channels and has the authority to respond and take action can help prevent a small problem from turning into a full-blown crisis. This person should liaise with the social media team and inform them of any potential issues.
Have a plan: Develop a crisis response plan ahead of time so that you're prepared for any negative situations that may arise on social media. This should include clear guidelines on handling different types of issues and designated people for each type of issue. Ensure the entire company has access to it and emphasize the importance of following the procedure.
Social media: a gate to building communities around your brand
Internet fandoms are powerful things. They are like free advertising and social proof, and they can make and break brands in a matter of days.
You want to tap into the magic of building a community around your brand. With their help, every single product announcement and every marketing campaign you include in your digital marketing strategy will be amplified. In essence, giving loyal brand followers incentives for user-generated content is a surefire way to build social proof and relevant your marketing efforts across different marketing channels.
The best part?
Although social media strategies are widespread and literally every business wants to be on social platforms, most companies still do social marketing wrong. They post links to their blog posts, get overly promotional, or fail to deliver on the social end of a social marketing strategy. Between busy marketing team delivering bland social posts and buying fake account followers, the world of social strategy is still very easy to break into if you do the right things like:
Being human and understanding the social elements in "social campaigns" Setting up an effective strategy from the beginning and continuously adapting it to your resultsEncouraging social teams to follow not just revenue-related key metrics, but genuine connections and key performance indicators related to the social media engagement rateMaking the content creation process a smooth ride for creatives, stakeholders, and leadership alike so you can create quality content your audience resonates withEnsuring a consistent voice across all your social channels
Our social media marketing strategy template aims to help you with all these points and more.
So if you want to get down to work, download our social media strategy template and use the complete guide in this blog article to bring your social media accounts closer to your audience, and your business goals closer to completion.
...And if you need help, you know who to contact! Get in touch with Mayple and we'll find you a vetted social media marketing consultant in less than three days!
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Social Media Marketing21 TikTok Marketing Tricks PLUS Important Stats + ExamplesEvery day, more than a billion people open this social platform to swipe and get entertained. It's addictive, it's fun, and it invites you to create your own content on the platform. And once you get the hang of it, it's hard to let go.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the TikTok marketing era: where TikTok's no longer a teen app, but a fully-fledged social media marketing platform brands are camping around.
Want to make the most of it but not sure where to start?
Here's our quick, but comprehensive guide on how to run TikTok marketing that gets your brand attention and conversions.
What is TikTok marketing?
TikTok marketing refers to the practice of using TikTok as a promotional channel for brands, products, or services. Businesses can do this using different tactics, like influencer marketing, social media advertising, and/or creating organic content. The main goal behind TikTok marketing is to raise brand awareness, engage your target audience, and drive conversions for your business.
Top advantages of TikTok marketing
Until not long ago, TikTok was the de-facto social media platform for GenZ – a place for odd challenges and dance routines, but mostly not a place where businesses must build a presence on.
Alas, times have changed. TikTok sales have now exceeded $2.5 billion, and there are more than 23.7 million buyers on TikTok (just in the US). And that's just sales driven directly through TikTok, not accounting for all the brand awareness generated, email subscribers, and so on.
The popularity of TikTok
TikTok boasts over 1.5 billion monthly active users worldwide, providing a vast and diverse audience for businesses to connect with. And while it used to be a social channel mostly targeting the younger generation, everyone's now on TikTok. According to recent stats, 38.5% of all TikTok users are aged 18 to 24, 32.5% are 25 to 34, 32.5% are 35 to 44, and the remainder is split between two other age groups over 44.
TikTok is clearly not in teenage land anymore. People who use it have buying power, and are likely in the workforce, as well. So TikTok can be a perfectly viable social channel for both B2C and B2B companies.
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Your audience is likely open to buying your products
Smart targeting, an algorithm built to hook audiences to the swipe motion, and engaging video content create the perfect environment for sellers to push their products on TikTok. With the right ad or organic piece of marketing content, shown at the right time, to a carefully selected audience, you can get amazing results with TikTok marketing.
Still unsure about investing in a content strategy for this social media network? 65% of all TikTok users say they watch product reviews and listen to influencer recommendations when they buy something.
Less competition compared to other social
Although it has more than 1.5 billion users, TikTok is still a relatively new platform for businesses to explore. This means there's less competition compared to other social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, making it easier for your exciting content to stand out and reach a larger audience. With the right strategy, you can quickly gain traction on TikTok and build your brand awareness.
High chances of going viral
TikTok's algorithm is designed to boost content virality, potentially giving your brand unprecedented visibility. And while "going viral" isn't (or shouldn't) be a marketing goal in itself, it can lead to increased brand exposure and conversions. With TikTok's algorithm constantly learning and adapting, it's important for businesses to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and create unique content that has a higher chance of going viral.
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Influencer marketing opportunities
The platform is teeming with influential users open to collaboration, expanding your reach. Businesses can use influencer marketing to partner with popular TikTok users who align with their brand and create authentic content that resonates with their target audience. This not only helps reach a wider audience but also creates trust and credibility for the brand. The key is to find the right influencer whose values and audience align with your business objectives.
TikTok works well with other channels
Integrating TikTok with existing marketing channels can create a synergistic effect, enhancing your overall digital strategy. For example, businesses can use TikTok to promote a new product or service and then redirect traffic to their website for further details and conversions. This multi-channel approach helps create an omnichannel experience for potential customers and increases the chances of conversion.
In-feed ads
TikTok offers in-feed ads for strategic placements within users' content feeds. The best part about these ads is that they don't feel like ads. They're non-intrusive and blend in with the organic content, increasing the chances of users engaging with it. TikTok also offers targeting options, making it easier for businesses to reach their desired audience.
Done right, in-feed TikTok ads are like supercharged organic content – same vibe and feel, but with a wider reach and more targeting options.
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Diverse, versatile types of content
TikTok supports a wide range of content styles, from catchy dance challenges to educational how-to videos. This allows businesses to get creative and experiment with different types of content to find what works best for their brand. From user-generated content to trending music and filters, from funny to sad, and from educational to merely entertaining, TikTok has it all.
How to set up TikTok for business
To establish a presence on TikTok for business, you need a TikTok Business Account by following this step-by-step process:
1. Download TikTok.
2. Go to your profile page.
3. Tap the three lines (top right side of the screen)
4. Go to "Settings & Privacy" and click on "Account."
5. Tap on "Switch to Business Account."
6. Choose the category that best suits your business.
7. Start posting videos.
Not sure how to do that? We have created a guide to help you understand how to publish videos on TikTok.
How to run ads on TikTok
TikTok offers various ad formats, including in-feed ads, branded hashtag challenges, and branded effects. Here are some of the basics you need to know about TikTok advertising:
Choose your Ads Manager mode
There are two main Ads Manager modes on TikTok: Simplified and Custom. The first one is easier for beginners, while the latter is more complex and suitable for more advanced users. In this quick overview of how to create ads on TikTok, we'll be looking at the simplified mode.
Pick your advertising goals and objectives
There are three main advertising goals you can opt for on TikTok, each with its own objectives:
Awareness (goal) + reach (objective), to make your brand known to the worldConsideration (goal) + traffic (objective), which drive people to your site or online storeConversion (goal) + sales (objective), to help boost your sales
Select your target audience
TikTok allows you to select the main characteristics of your target audience, such as age, location, interests, and behaviors. This ensures that your ads are shown to the right people who are more likely to drive user engagement.
You can also select your target audience based on interests, such as beauty, books, fashion, and more. This helps ensure that your ads are shown to people who are interested in your industry or niche.
Set your budget and your schedule
You can choose between a daily budget or a total budget for your TikTok ad campaign. You can also set the start and end dates for your campaign, helping you control the duration of your ads and stay within your budget.
Monitor and optimize your ad performance
TikTok offers detailed analytics tools to help you track the performance of your ads. This includes information on:
ViewsLikesCommentsFrequencyAverage Watch Time per PersonLive Unique ViewsCross-campaign ReachCost per 1,000 people reachedAudience EstimationReach by data dimension
Keep in mind that many of these are "estimated metrics," which means the numbers may not be exact but can give you a general idea of how your ad is performing. Use these insights to make adjustments and optimize your ads for better results.
Also, it's important to measure data regularly so you can make necessary adjustments to your ad campaign and optimize its performance. Doing this will help you know what works and what doesn't, as well as what kind of changes you could bring to your marketing strategy to make TikTok work for you.
Create and submit your ad
This is where you can unleash the creative dragon – and the good news is TikTok allows for a lot of creative freedom. Not only are there many types of videos you can choose from (like dance videos, challenges, edutainment, etc.), but TikTok's in-app editor is also a treasure trove of filters, music, sounds, effects, and stickers you can use to make your content more entertaining and engaging.
Top 21 tactics to use when starting with TikTok marketing
Building a TikTok strategy doesn't have to feel like you're navigating strange alleys in the dark. The right tips and best practices can shed some light on your path and help you make the most out of your TikTok marketing. Here are some tips and tactics to keep in mind when starting with TikTok marketing:
Get familiar with TikTok
Take some time to understand the platform, its features, and user behavior. If you use Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, you'll find TikTok similar – it's like both of those, on steroids. Where other short-form video content-based social media channels seem tame and even unsurprising, TikTok is lively and daring. The abundance of filters, challenges, and sounds makes it like one giant party where brands and consumers interact with each other freely.
Run a competitor audit
Analyze your competitors' TikTok presence to identify opportunities. Notice
What kind of content are they posting?How often do they post?Do they use influencers, effects, or challenges?How do their followers engage with their content?Can you see an engagement evolution (e.g., if their community has engaged more with a specific type of content?)
Use this information to understand what works for your competitors and adapt it to your TikTok marketing strategy.
Set clear goals
You can't know how you're doing with your TikTok marketing if you don't set goals. So, before diving into all those recordings, define your specific objectives for TikTok marketing to ensure your efforts remain focused and measurable.
Invest in quality equipment
The good news is you don't need a mega-studio to make TikTok videos people love. The slight "homemade" nature of most of these videos is, in fact, part of what makes the platform special.
That being said, you should have some basic equipment to make your videos look professional. A tripod, an external microphone, and a ring light can go a long way in improving the quality of your recordings.
Make sure your profile is branded
You don't want to be overly pushy with your brand, but you should make sure it's present. This is not about posting funny videos – it's about building an audience that's interested in your brand. So, make sure your profile photo, username, and bio align with your branding.
Define your audience
Monologues addressed to anonymous crowds might have flown under the radar when TV, billboards, and newspapers were the main social media channels brands could use to reach their customers. In the age of hyper-engagement, however, addressing specific groups of people is key.
Define your target audience on TikTok to make sure you're talking to the right people. Doing this will help you tailor your content to their preferences and make it more appealing and engaging.
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Use advertising
TikTok is one of the few platforms where you can still get a solid organic engagement rate without paid ads. However, using advertising can help increase your reach and get your content in front of more people. Consider experimenting with paid TikTok ads to see how they can boost your marketing efforts on the platform.
Use TikTok SEO
Not many people realize this, but TikTok has its own search engine. As such, using proper search engine optimization (SEO) tactics can help you reach more people on TikTok. Use relevant hashtags and keywords in your captions and descriptions to increase the chances of your content being discovered by new audiences.
Post videos regularly
Consistency is key to success on TikTok...as with every other channel. While you don't have to post every day, aim for at least a few times per week to keep your audience engaged and interested in your content. This also helps with the algorithm as it favors accounts that are active and consistently posting.
Employ influencer marketing
Collaborate with TikTok influencers to leverage their established fan base and credibility. Choose influencers that align with your brand and niche, as well as those that have genuine engagement from their followers. Look for both larger influencers with a lot of popular videos and micro - influencers, as they might have more convincing power over their audience.
Here's a webinar we held on this specific topic if you want to learn more:
Don't be afraid to experiment
Be open to trying different content styles, formats, and approaches to discover what resonates best with your audience. TikTok is an ever-evolving platform, and what may work one day might not work the next. Don't be afraid to experiment and adapt your strategy as needed.
Join creator groups
Engage with TikTok creator communities for support, inspiration, and networking opportunities. These groups are great for sharing tips and tricks, collaborating on content, and staying updated on the latest trends and challenges.
Make use of relevant hashtags
Incorporate relevant and trending hashtags to increase the discoverability of your content. TikTok's algorithm uses hashtags to categorize and recommend content, so make sure you use them strategically.
To find relevant trending hashtags, use the "Discover" tab in TikTok and check out the "Trending Hashtags" section:
1. Go to the "Discover" page in TikTok. This is where trending content lives (TikTok's algorithm selects it according to your activities)
2. Look at the hashtags these posts are using
3. Select the hashtags that fit your content and add them to your posts.
Engage with other users
Give likes, comments, and shares to other content creators on TikTok. This helps build relationships with others in the community and increases the chances of your content being shared as well. Remember, TikTok is a social network, so be social!
Need help with that? Contact Mayple and hire a social media marketing agency to help you run your brand's socials.
Monitor your TikTok metrics
Keep a close eye on key performance indicators, including video views, growth rate, trending videos, and average watch time. Remember to match the metrics you follow to your actual goal for each video – otherwise, it's easy to start chasing vanity metrics and forget about what's important for your business. Use this data to optimize and improve your TikTok strategy.
Jump on the trends that make sense for your brand
Participate in trending challenges and themes that align with your brand, offering a chance to ride the wave of popular trends. However, keep in mind that not all trends may make sense for your brand and audience. So, choose wisely and don't force yourself to fit into a hot social media trend that doesn't align with your brand's values or message.
Use TikTok's in-built video editor
Take advantage of TikTok's built-in video editing tools to enhance your original content. These tools include filters, effects, text overlays, and soundtracks. Play around with these features to make your videos more visually appealing and engaging.
Keep videos short and engaging
Given TikTok's time limit, keep your videos concise, captivating, and packed with value. The average video on TikTok is between 10 and 15 seconds, although the platform does allow for longer videos now.
Run live events
Connect with your audience in real-time through live streams, fostering interaction and building trust. These events are great because they allow you to interact with your audience in real time. Plus, they can be quite interactive too!
Some examples of content to live stream could be:
Behind-the-scenes looks at your brand or product creation processesQ&A sessions where you answer questions from your audienceProduct demos and tutorials
Be authentic
TikTok's user base highly values authenticity, so let your brand's genuine personality shine through your content. More even, make sure your brand has a face. This could be the CEO, employees, a mascot – whoever best represents your brand's values and message. People connect with people, so use this to your advantage on TikTok.
TikTok marketing examples to spark your creativity
Although TikTok might not (yet) be overcrowded by business profiles, it still boasts a pretty impressive track record for successful marketing campaigns by both Indie and global brands. Some of our favorite examples include:
Chipotle
Chipotle understands TikTok. They know how to ride the tide of trends, and they know how to bring it all close to their brand. Their videos are entertaining, fun, and always circle back around Chipotle and their food.
Duolingo
Duolingo's TikTok is filled with so much humor it's hard to ignore it. Adorable, raw, funny, and always on-point regarding all the "rules" that make TikTok special, this language learning app (and its mascot) has definitely won the game on the platform.
Gymshark
Gymshark's content lives somewhere between humor, inspiration, and education. It manages to paint such a great picture of the brand that you automatically associate Gymshark with all the positive vibes of its TikTok channel.
The Washington Post
If you think reading the news is boring, think again. The Washington Post has been turning the biggest news into TikToks – and we're here for it.
Ryanair
Ryanair's TikTok is the gold-medal winner of cheekiness. It's hard not to love a brand that has the guts to take on all of their haters. All while keeping it fun and clever, too.
Crocs
Crocs' TikToks are all about... Crocs. But they are so creatively put and so much fun that you will love every minute of them. And the way they use music is just spot-on!
The World Health Organization
WHO's TikTok account knows how to put stories at the forefront of their entire strategy. They know how to spread the news, touch your soul, and make the most of the platform to spread their important message.
Is TikTok right for your business?
Considering its rising popularity and potential for viral content, it feels like everyone's flocking to TikTok these days, brands and customers alike.
Does that mean you should do it too?
Well, before you set up ring lights around the office and start learning all the trending sounds by heart, ask yourself the following questions:
Is my target audience on TikTok?Does my brand's tone and messaging align with what works on TikTok?Do I have the time and resources to consistently create and engage on TikTok?
If you answered yes to these questions, then TikTok might be worth exploring for your business. By now, TikTok is more than likely not just another social media trend or social media app you'll uninstall in three months, so it is smart to start investing in it as part of your social media marketing plan.
Just remember to keep authenticity at the core of your content. And have fun! Social media is a colorful land where all shades are welcome, but if you can't be real with your customers there, crack a joke, or tell a story, or if you just push links from your blog, people will simply... scroll by. If you want to make the most of social media for your business, you have to find your spot and stay true to it.
Looking for someone to lend you a hand on all things social? Contact Mayple and allow us to match you with a vetted social media marketing consultant in less than three days!