Now that it’s the new year, you’re hopefully executing the strategies you’ve laid out in your 2017 social media plan. If not, you’ve still got a little time to develop or add to those strategies to help smash your social media goals for the year.
To ensure that you get the biggest impact possible, you can’t afford to neglect the following:
Quality of your content
Perhaps it goes without saying, but it bears repeating: The quality of your social content is essential. Don’t sacrifice quality to rush a post. Before publishing, ask yourself if the content gives the absolute best first impression of your business or product. If not, the potential for missed customer connections skyrockets.
Video
In 2016, we saw a huge influx of branded videos and live broadcasting go center stage. And it’s not going away anytime soon. In fact, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter have made it easier for brands to come to life, go live and be seen in 360 degrees. Video content is a home run if done right. It’s versatile on multiple platforms (social, traditional and digital advertising), has a shelf-life, and creates bountiful engagement opportunities.
Platform prioritization
Streamlined budgets require you to prioritize your efforts and activity. The number one rule of thumb: You don’t need to be everywhere at once. It’s better to be active on the channels where your target audience is and master those platforms rather than spread yourself thin trying to get posts published on all the channels you think you need to be on.
Paid advertising
Frequent algorithm changes, competitive landscapes and the vying for customer attention requires another layer be added to your strategy – social advertising. As platforms like Facebook and Instagram continue to reduce organic brand content visibility, it will be even more important to build and strengthen relationships beyond your current community bases.
-Katie Klein-Murphy is social media marketing manager at Boelter + Lincoln in Milwaukee.
