By Kate Templeton
Social media is an important tool to build engagement online. When using social media to advance a brand or company, digital strategists are encouraged to create a content calendar and post variations of the same themed posts each week. Routine is necessary in social media planning; however, it is important to switch up content to gain traction and keep audiences coming back. Here are a few ideas to elevate your social media content:
Infographics
An infographic is a tool used to display information in a digestible, visual manner. They answer the following questions: What is the problem? What is the solution? What do you want your audience to do? A successful infographic is unique, simple and creative, yet provides a targeted message. They help enhance social media content by allowing viewers to engage in information that may be too complex in traditional writing.
Instagram/Snapchat Stories
Instagram and Snapchat are the front-runners of mobile social media. Both platforms have developed story features where users can post a series of photos or videos for 24-hours. Organizations can use stories to expand their digital content and audiences, as story user demographics skew younger. Brands can post behind-the-scenes footage from an event, incorporate geofilters on Snapchat, and run polls on Instagram to increase user interactions.
Contests and Giveaways
Holding contests, giveaways and sweepstakes is a strategic way to engage users and advance a brand’s digital following. Before holding a contest or giveaway, it’s important to read up on rules and parameters to ensure it goes smoothly. This Adweek article has some helpful tips to help you learn more about creating a successful social media contest that will increase followers and brand awareness.
Live Video
Live video has become a valuable tool for creating interactive social media content. They create a sense immediacy and allow viewers to interact with comments and reactions in real time. Live videos are also favored algorithmically on social media platforms and notify followers when you go live. Since there’s no going back once you hit go on live video, planning is essential to make sure everything goes off without a hitch but it’s also important to remain spontaneous and genuine. As this Convince and Convert article puts it, “plan but don’t produce.”
Now go out and create genius social media content that will greatly benefit your client and enhance your PR work!