10 Beginner Social Media Marketing Tips

Social media is an ever-changing medium – with new platforms and updates rolling out constantly. But it’s also a great way to connect with your customers and visitors on a more direct level. Social media is a place to engage, answer questions, and get real-time, crowdsourced feedback. If you’re getting started or getting back to the basics, these 10 beginner social media marketing tips will serve you well, now and in the future. 

1. Keep it simple.

Keep your messages simple and concise. Each post should have a focus, and get right to the point. Whether you’re sharing something fun and engaging, or asking your audience to take action, the shorter the better. Of course there will be times that you need to share enough information to give context or tout all the great aspects of what you’re sharing. Make sure it’s clear and that the audience knows what to do.

Keep in mind that people don’t want to read paragraphs of text. A common misstep we see often is a social media post with a full press release or blog post text on it. It’s better to link to the full blog or press release (better yet – link to the placement you got from the release!).

2. Make it visual.

More than just eye-catching, it needs to be thumb-stopping. Shaky, lowlight, low-res photos just won’t cut it. If you don’t have the photos you want, crowd-source and repost them (but don’t forget to give credit).

Visual retention is your best bet to be memorable. It’s often cited that people remember 65% of information when text is paired with a visual, but only 10% of what they read or hear. Over and over again, the data tells us that people prefer visuals and video over written text.

In addition to high-quality photos, consider incorporating infographics, GIFs, and videos to make your content more dynamic and engaging.

3. Embrace video content

Video content has exploded in popularity, with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels becoming dominant. Incorporating video into your social media strategy can help you capture and retain your audience’s attention. Experiment with different types of video content, such as tutorials, behind-the-scenes footage, answering FAQs or storytelling.

4. Know your audience.

While knowing your audience’s demographics and habits is important, it’s also essential to understand their interests and preferences. Conduct surveys, engage in conversations with your followers, and use social media analytics tools to gain insights into what your audience wants to see from you. Are they online at 7:30 am or 3:30 pm? Do they like questions or exclamations?

5. Have a call to action.

What do you want your audience to do when they see your post, Reel, or video? Don’t expect them to know what you are asking. Include a direct ask, a button (on ads) and simple instructions on how to complete the task. Make it easy for them to do what you want them to do. And ask yourself if you’re measuring those actions.

6. Monitor social media constantly.

Your posts don’t exist in a vacuum. Pay attention to the stats of your ads and posts, and make adjustments as needed. Watch your reviews for unhappy (or very happy) customers. Also watch out for spam reviews and get them taken down. Know how people are engaging with your channels and how to change or increase your content.

7. Engage whenever possible.

If people are taking the time to comment or like your post, find ways to engage with them. Like their comment, reply to a happy (or unhappy) comment and answer their questions about the product or service. Let your audience know there’s a real person on the other end of the page who cares about them.

8. Be flexible.

Having a plan is important, but don’t be afraid to deviate from that plan. Take regular stock of your most engaging posts and repeat the topics, tone, or style that is working. Your audience may surprise you from time to time, so trying variations is a great way to gauge reactions if you’re unsure.

9. Have fun!

Social media is a lot of work, and can be frustrating at times- but if you’re not having fun with it, your audience won’t either. Get creative with your posts, ads, photos, contests, and more. Social media is an opportunity to reach your audiences and consumers on their level- so don’t forget to play!

10. Watch for platform changes

Stay informed about platform changes. Social media platforms constantly evolve, introducing new features and updates. And new platforms are starting to rock the boat in terms of popularity (but Meta is still the most popular). It’s important to stay up-to-date with these changes to ensure that your strategies remain effective. Follow social media marketing blogs, participate in webinars, and join online communities to stay informed about the latest trends and updates in the industry.