Why Your Social Media Strategy Needs a Reboot

If you have been using social media for a while now and aren’t getting the results you desire, it might be time to reassess your social media strategy. Social media platforms continually evolve to attract more users and advertising revenue. Recently rebranding, introducing new features, integrating AI, collaborating with influencers, and altering the way we capture content. These changes have prompted brands and companies to reconsider their approaches to social strategies.

Firstly, initiating a social media audit is an effective method to assess your current content and identify which types of content resonate most with your target audience. It also offers the opportunity to research competitors and provides valuable insights into industry trends. By identifying your competitors' strengths and weaknesses, you can fine-tune your own approach and learn from their successes and mistakes. Additionally, staying informed about market changes, gaining strategic inspiration, understanding your shared audience, and identifying opportunities for differentiation. Adapting to changes in their strategies, evaluating your own position in the market, and leveraging insights all contribute to maintaining a competitive edge.

Currently, Instagram Reels outshine other content types, generating 55% more interactions than single-image posts and 29% more than standard video posts. Both TikTok and Instagram prioritise storytelling, providing value and trust before promoting sales. Offering value first provides an incentive for potential customers to follow your page. Once you capture their attention, demonstrate how you can assist them, build trust, and increase the likelihood of a purchase.

For physical products, your role on social media is to craft a vision for potential customers. Use high-quality photos to showcase products and inspire your followers. Avoid being excessively salesy in captions; instead, leverage Instagram's 'shop' feature to tag products directly in the frame, tapping into the 130 million users interacting with 'shop' tags monthly.

By adhering to the 'value first, sell second' motto, you will consistently excel with your social media strategy. Select platforms that align with your objectives. If you are a business-to-consumer (B2C) company, platforms like LinkedIn may not be the best fit. Similarly, if you are a service-based business-to-business (B2B) company, visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest might not be the most effective choices. YouTube can be an excellent option for demonstrating complex products and services, such as gadgets, education and software. Avoid investing too much effort in a platform that won't yield significant returns. Instead, concentrate on platforms where your target audience spends their time.

Incorporating advertisements into your strategy is essential for maximising brand visibility, reaching a targeted audience, and driving meaningful engagement. Social media platforms offer powerful tools for precise audience targeting based on demographics, interests, and behaviours. This targeted approach not only increases the chances of reaching potential customers but also enhances the overall impact of your promotional efforts. Ads on social media provide a clickable link to your website or landing page, facilitating traffic generation and potential conversions. By utilising analytics tools, businesses can measure the performance of their ads, gaining valuable insights to refine and optimise their strategies. Advertising also allows for the swift promotion of time-sensitive offers and key information.

In summary, a social media strategy reboot is essential for staying relevant with shifts in platform algorithms, emerging trends, and changes in user behaviours. A reboot allows for a fresh assessment of current content, new features, and understanding audience preferences. As part of your overall marketing strategy, social media enables you to speak directly to your followers and engage with them on a more personal level. Engaging with your followers shows that you care about their feedback and opinions, encouraging better brand loyalty.

Do you need support with your social media strategy? Get in touch. We’d love to help.