Social media has changed the face of marketing, but with Facebook dating back just 12 years, it’s a relatively new phenomena and one that’s in a constant state of flux. Algorithms are altered; advice changes; and opinions on best practice vary so drastically that it can be tough to keep up with the times. One thing that all companies can agree on is that social media marketing is a crucial way to grow and engage your audience, so I’ve put together a hit list of habits that you should adopt to keep your company social media pages at the top of their game.
- Be on Top of Trends…
Remember the days when market research meant focus groups and street surveys? Today the rise of the hashtag means that you don’t need to try and wrangle consumers while they’re out shopping in order to get their opinion – you can see what they’re talking about with a quick glance at your computer screen.
Make sure you’re regularly looking at what’s trending on Facebook and Twitter – and remember to set the country preferences in-keeping with your market. Not only does this help you stay relevant and adapt with the ever-changing times, it’s also a great place to seek out inspiration for new advertising and product ideas.
Social Media Landscape and Trends (Click to Enlarge)
- And Be Part Of Them
While you’re scrolling through those hashtags, think about ways you can incorporate them into your posts. The fact that they’re trending means they have a ready-made audience who are searching for those terms, so you have a potential wealth of customers at your fingertips.
Don’t feel limited to tags that are directly related to your product, either. Joining in with Twitter games (for example #UnexpectedFilmTwists), answering questions or coming up with jokes are a great way to convey your brand’s personality. Skyscanner has been a great example of this recently.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should adopt every trend you come across. Think about your audience and adapt accordingly; followers of your cooking blog probably don’t want to hear your opinion on #TrumpVsHillary, and clients of your finance consultancy firm are unlikely to be impressed by your insights on #Brangelina.
Some Social Media Trends 2016 (Click to Enlarge)
- Respond to Everything
Think of social media messages as the new customer service calls – except now your call records are open to the public. It’s more important than ever to demonstrate top-quality customer care and to inspire confidence in your brand.
One of the most
