0112 Unique social media marketing methods that work wonders
It’s a fact. Today, every business needs a strong social media presence. No matter whether you run a small local shop or a multinational company, social media should be an essential part of your marketing strategy.
Not only a social media platform helps you connect with your target audience, increase awareness about your brand, but it also boosts your leads and sales to a great extent.
Since around 2.96 billion people use social media platforms worldwide, it’s no passing trend. According to Statista.com, by 2021, this number is going to reach 3.09 billion. So, if you’re not using this fantastic tool yet, you’re surely missing out on an incredible marketing opportunity.
Source: Hootsuite
Undoubtedly, social media is one of the ideal platforms to market your business. However, due to increased competition and the rise of social media algorithms, the entire landscape of social media has changed. If you really want to stay ahead of your competition, you need to look for unique social media marketing ideas that can spice up your social media campaigns.
In this post, we will make you familiar with some creative social media marketing ideas. However, before that, let’s have a quick look at some social media statistics that is important for you to know.
Having a solid marketing goal is essential for every business. However, if you don’t know what you want to achieve, how are you supposed to attain it?
Before you jumpstart your social media marketing, make clear goals and objectives that will align with your marketing efforts. It is advisable to write down your goal. A study reveals you’re more likely to be successful if you write your goals.
To layout your goals, you can:
To create a successful social media strategy, you must have adequate knowledge of your audience. You should be able to know their needs, wants, and desires. Below are a few tactics that can help you better understand your audience.
When you exactly know who your target audience is, you can better help them.
3. Produce diversified content for different social media platforms
For most businesses, it is easy to post pictures to Instagram and short tweets to Twitter. However, on most social media platforms, you can display different kinds of content, including video, photos, infographics, blog posts, and more. It is essential because if you keep producing the same content time and again, it may bore your audience, and that can keep you from reaching your goals. By providing diversified content, you also determine the best content types for your target audience.
Source: SmartInsights
4. Don’t ignore video content
Video marketing is one of those social media marketing trends that has been continuously growing. In 2018, 85% of all internet users in the United States watched online video content monthly on different devices. It shows that video is an excellent medium to promote your business.
There is no doubt about it that millions of hours of video content watched every year on different social media platforms. However, your videos must be watched by the right people. After all, there is no use in a video going viral if viewers do not belong to your market.
Try to target the right people so that they can take the actions you want them to take after watching your videos. For the same, you must define your target audience before planning your marketing strategies. Some of the tools you can use to identify your audience include Google Analytics – Audience Tab, Keyword Planner, Facebook Business Page Insights.
Narrow down your audience based on their gender, interests, age, occupation, knowledge level, or location. Also, create a quality video with tools like Magisto that precisely explains your product or services and answers most of the queries of your audience and prospects.
Don’t forget, high production values, smart use of keywords, and timing of your videos matter a lot in the success of your video marketing. Also, track your results from time to time and customize your tactics based on those results.
5. Try sharing user-generated content from your fans and followers
When you share user-generated content on your social media profiles, it gives your followers a fresh perspective on your brand and helps you build stronger relationships.
Even a survey reveals that people trust content from an average person more than they do from businesses.
You may ask your buyers to share their experiences with your products and services so that you can use that content on your social media profiles.
For example, if you run a furniture store, you can ask your buyers to share the picture of how they position your furniture at their homes. After that, you can share those pictures within your social profiles with the profile link of the buyers to give other prospects an idea about how they can use your products. It will surely boost the interest of other potential buyers in your brand.
6. Give education
No matter what your goals are, you must provide education about your products or services to your customers. Providing education is one of the best ways to build relationships with your target audience. When you give your audience practical advice or valuable information, they look to you as an authority and become your loyal customers. Social media is a great platform where you can educate your followers about your business without any hindrance. As per your convenience, you may provide educational resources such as blog posts, white papers, webinars, and more.
7. Less promotion and more storytelling
When you take an educational approach, you do more teaching than selling. Storytelling is also educational in nature. Nevertheless, the power of storytelling lies not in teaching people things they weren’t aware of, but in showcasing relevant characters and situations evoking emotional responses. These responses stimulate action more effectively than the content involves self-promotion on social media.
8. Try influencer marketing
Influencer marketing is an ideal way to promote your products via social media platforms. When you collaborate with an influential person not only it boosts brand awareness but also builds trust. Perhaps this is the reason, around 2/3 of retailers in North America use some form of influencer marketing.
Source: MediaKix
Always choose a social media influencers whose vision matches with your own. Below are a few tips for selecting the perfect influencer for your brand.
If you think VPN is a tool to hide your IP address only, you’re mistaken. VPN is not just a security tool that ensures your privacy on a public network; it’s much more than that.
Most new businesses are not aware that a VPN can help them understand their competition. From launching marketing campaigns to monitoring PPC adverts to evaluating search engine rankings, there are plenty of places where VPN is helpful.
Since in this post, we’re discussing social media platforms, let’s find out how can VPN help you with YouTube advertising.
Source: Statista
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that YouTube is the most popular video platform of the time. According to Alexa, YouTube is the 2nd most popular search engine worldwide, behind Google. There are numerous benefits to advertising on YouTube. One of the most significant advantages is that it provides a broader reach to your business.
If you have an audience in different regions, states, or countries, you will need to know what works best in that particular region. Well, VPN can help you with this situation. Using a VPN, you can get your location to the region or area your target audience is. Thus you learn about your audience – their issues and needs. Based on that information, you can understand your customer’s persona, what they are looking for, and create marketing strategies accordingly.
Nowadays, several VPN providers available in the market, but not all are equals in terms of quality and customer support. It is advisable to look for the best VPN only. Read reviews of different providers before making your final decision.
10. Take advantage of the enthusiasm of loyal customers
Your loyal customers have the potential to become brand advocates. They can boost awareness of your brand by providing social proof that helps prospects to build trust in your business much more quickly.
Social media is a great tool to motivate your loyal customers to become brand advocates. Below are a few tips that you can put into practice.
We all respond strongly to people in comparison to robots. By humanizing your brand on social media platforms, you can boost your marketing strategy. Perhaps, you interact with your followers by responding to your comments and user-generated content. However, it is not enough. To stay ahead of your competition, you must highlight your team members and their stories, and connect each of your social media marketing efforts back to your unique brand story.
Try to infuse humor in your posts. However, it does not mean you can go with anything. Keep a balance of fun and information.
12. Use of chatbots for social media marketing
Over the years, chatbots have come a long way. Today’s bots are more smart and useful. They are capable of providing initial customer service, automating a function, and boosting user experience.
Even people have started liking bots. A survey conducted by HubSpot concluded that 47% of respondents were open to buying products using a chatbot. It would not be wrong to say that chatbots have become more widespread on social media.
You can synchronize your chatbot with multiple platforms. For example, you can offer a chatbot on your Facebook Messenger, and it can also be used through Twitter direct messages. It will ensure a consistent experience across your social media profiles.
Chatbots can be used to start conversations, encourage sales, answer questions, and offer individual customer support.
Final thoughts
Social media has turned into an essential part of the marketing strategy for any business. And why not? It is a great way to reach a wide audience, demonstrate your expertise, show your authenticity, encourage engagement, and offer responsive and quick support.
Although social media marketing takes a lot of hard work, its benefits are difficult to ignore. If you’re not taking it seriously, you will miss out on leads, customers, and ultimately sales.
Don’t forget, social media platforms are created for conversing with others. You won’t see the desired results until you don’t make your audience a top priority. Moreover, each social media platform is different, so you must know what kind of content works best on them. We hope the methods mentioned above will help you take your social media marketing to the next level.
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7 Social Media Conferences You Need to Attend 2020
Social media is an essential marketing tool every brand has spent a lot of time--and company resources--investing in during the last decade. The use of social media (by brands and by customers) isn't slowing down in 2020, even if it will take a new shape in the years ahead.
It's critical for marketers to spend time learning from one another and sharing digital marketing secrets if they want to stay ahead of an industry that moves at the speed of light.
From learning how to craft the perfect Instagram story to whether or not Tik Tok is meant for you and your brand, what better way to up your social media game than at some of the industry's top conferences?
At Masthead Media, we like to plan our conference schedule at the start of each year to ensure we make it to events that are truly worth our time and investment. These are the social events we're excited to explore for 2020.
At each of the Social Media Strategies Summits, you'll have the opportunity to engage in workshops that will help you take your own social strategy to the next level. Discuss how smart assistants will work their way into your plans this decade and hear from professionals at brands like Walmart, Dollar Shave Club, Sony, and more.
With events all around the world, Social Media Week is the premier social media conference, covering a wide range of topics and featuring dozens of digital marketing leaders. Two of the top U.S.-based events--found in Austin, Texas and New York City--will focus on this year's theme: Human.X. Learn how to take a "human-first and experience-driven approach to marketing" at Social Media Week.
Various Locations and Dates
Digital Summit isn't solely a social media conference, but it's a great place to learn how social integrates into your overall digital plan. Marketing and digital media leaders convene at these various conferences--held all around the world--to help you navigate how to master your social strategy and keep it consistent with the rest of your company's messaging.
San Diego (March 1-3, 2020)
Curious to know how to build a brand on Instagram that stands out? Or how to break into TikTok? Social Media Marketing World will take you through all of the areas of social media you'll want to master. From Facebook ads to organic channel strategies, this conference is one you won't want to miss in 2020.
Austin, Texas (March 13-22, 2020)
We'd be remiss if we didn't mention South by! The marketing conference of all conferences, SXSW is the place for every brand, no matter what your size, to launch the new decade. When you're not learning about the future direction of social, dive into advertising & brand experience or experiential storytelling tracks and discover unique trends and skills that will propel your brand in the right direction.
Victoria, BC (May 5-7, 2020)
Head north and up your social media game at Canada's Social Media Camp. This year, hear from keynote speaker Jillian Harris--storyteller, TV host, and social media expert--about the best ways to inspire your audience and engage consumers through social. With interactive sessions and beginner to advanced tracks, you're sure to take away tips and tricks for a successful 2020.
Atlanta, Georgia (May 12-14, 2020)
One of the new marketing and social media events held in Atlanta, it's the ideal spot to find "innovative ways to continue leveraging social to drive business goals." Learn from professionals at Lego, Twitter, Nike, IBM, and more, and engage with fellow social media gurus from across the U.S.
Published on: Jan 24, 2020
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
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For You: These videos are suggested to you based on your preferences and behaviors on the app, so the feed is more personalized over time.
Following: This is a feed of videos created by the people you choose to follow.
4. Start Engaging and Follow Accounts.
Beauty filters that help hide skin blemishes.
A timer to set up a countdown so you can shoot your video completely hands free.
A flash option to capture content in darker environments.
Speed functions that speed up or slow down the video.
Colored filters that adjust the color in frame.
Sound options to include sound effects or add musical overlays.
Other visual effects, including a ton of filters that can augment the surroundings or the subject of the video.
Time limit settings for each video.
Photo template options that create a slideshow instead.
In-Feed Ads – native content that appears in your audience’s feed while they’re exploring.
Brand Takeover – full page ad, either a three-second image or a five-second gif, that appears when people open the app.
Brand Hashtag Challenge – sponsored challenges that are branded and placed on the discovery page.
TopView – similar to a brand takeover, but in-feed video can be used in this approach.
Author: Jeff Previte
6 Examples of Brands Crushing the TikTok Marketing Game (+ Tips)
Social media has another big name entering the competitive world that is seemingly dominated by Facebook and Instagram.
Now, we have TikTok.
What Is TikTok?
It all started in 2014 with an app called musical.ly.
Users could record clips of them lip syncing to music, usually running 15 seconds to one minute long. Within two years of launching, the company had over 90 million users, which was a massive spike from 10 million from the previous year.
In late 2018, the app was acquired by ByteDance Ltd., a China-based internet technology company. They merged musical.ly with TikTok. The growth of the app’s user base is astonishing – it now has 800 million monthly active users across the world.
via GIPHY
TikTok is more than just a karaoke app. Fans of it are more focused on self-expression, which can be accomplished through a variety of different content.
How Does TikTok Work?
Essentially, users can shoot videos up to 15 seconds long, but they can also create 60 second videos by combining videos. But it’s not just pointing and shooting a video.
You can also add a lot of different elements to your content. For example, you can apply filters, add music, and edit your video – all within the app.
It’s important to address the assumption that TikTok is just for Gen Zers who want to lip sync and make silly karaoke videos. That’s not all this platform has to offer.
In fact, it’s being used by more than just teens. Brands are jumping onboard, as well as artists and celebrities.
How to Use TikTok
As you can imagine, using the app is fairly simple. That’s part of why it’s so popular. It is incredibly user friendly.
Here’s a simple breakdown of using the app.
1. Download the App and Start Browsing.
First, you need to download the app on your mobile device (duh). Once you download, you get instant access to their community.
From here, you can start browsing videos. This is a good first step because you can see how diverse the platform is. There are plenty of different types of creators and unique ways people and brands alike are expressing themselves.
2. Create Your Account.
When you’re ready to dive deeper, you need to make an account. The app allows you to use your email, phone number, or other platforms (like Facebook, of course) to sign in.
Your username is automatically generated, but you can change it by going to the settings in the right bottom corner of your screen. From the Edit Profile button, you can also add a bio and link your other social accounts.
3. Explore Your Feeds.
Now, you’re ready to explore the world of TikTok. The platform is divided into two main feeds.
Just like other social media platforms, you can like, comment, and share content. The more you engage with content, the more the app learns about your preferences, so your For You feed is going to improve over time.
Source: HubSpot
You can also actively search for accounts and videos by tapping the magnifying glass on the Discover tab. You can filter by top viewed, usernames, video titles, sounds, and hashtags.
If you find accounts you want to keep up with, follow them by tapping the icon that has their profile picture and the red plus sign.
TikCodes are also useful for finding and following accounts. You can share your TikCode, where other users can scan it, which then gets them to follow you.
5. Shoot Your First TikTok.
Now, you’re ready to post your first TikTok! Simply tap the camera mode icon, then adjust the camera to face the right direction.
You see icons for the following features:
Once you record your TikTok and made the finishing touches with editing, you’re ready to go live and start your channel. You can also create content based on challenges, which often trend through hashtags, and collaborate and create duets with other users.
Is TikTok a Good Marketing Channel?
With such a new app, it’s always hard to tell how it will evolve. But given its massive growth, hitting over one billion downloads, it’s certainly going to be a hot platform for years to come.
What’s especially noteworthy from a marketer’s standpoint is the engagement the app earns. The average user spends 52 minutes on the app every day. Additionally, on average, users open their app eight times per day.
Recommended For You Webcast, March 5th: How AI Can Find Opportunities and Shorten Your Sales Cycles Register Now
via GIPHY
That’s a lot of time and attention brands can earn from using TikTok as a marketing channel. And while it’s a new platform, there are a number of brands creating content in fun, unique ways. You can learn a lot of best practices by assessing what users are getting the most engagement.
TikTok Marketing Best Practices and Examples
As you enter the TikTok environment, the main thing you want to keep top of mind is how you’re going to stand out. After all, it’s a crowded space already, and it’s only going to get more competitive as the app evolves.
Follow a few simple best practices to make the most of your TikTok marketing strategy.
Drive User Generated Content and Host Hashtag Challenges.
As you see in the app, users often engage in challenges, which are usually seen with hashtags in them. These are built around silly, odd tasks that are very specific.
This is a great method of earning user generated content (UGC), which shares social proof while giving your customers a voice. Even better, it opens a channel of communication between a brand and a customer. Plus, free marketing content is nothing to sneeze at.
Several companies are crushing it at getting their fans involved.
Chipotle: Lid Flip
For example, #ChipotleLidFlip was trending. Participants had to show off their abilities to flip the lid onto their bowl without using their hands. The company launched this challenge as a way to promote their Cinco de Mayo deal – free delivery.
via GIPHY
But aside from promoting the free delivery, it also created a space for their fans to go purchase their product and play a game with it. And then they share that content with their followers and gain views by using the hashtag.
GUESS: In My Denim
Another great example comes from the fashion world. GUESS partnered with the app to launch TikTok’s first branded content in the U.S. to host the #InMyDenim challenge, where they enlisted the help of popular content creators to show off their new denim outfits.
These influencers are great for promoting the campaign. Users who are fans of these influencers will feel excited about recording their own denim transformations.
These examples are great demonstrations of how brands can get their target audience excited about the products or services while also sharing and advocating for the brand with their followers on social media networks.
Showcase Your Products or Services in a Fun Way.
While hashtag challenges are one way to get users to see what you’re selling, there are several other ways you can present your products or services to the TikTok world.
Given that the app’s primary audience is young, consider how you’re going to make this content engaging and fun. There is a lighthearted nature to most TikTok content. If you’re going to try to give some boring product video to your audience, you won’t get very far.
NBA: Diversified Content
With over 6.5 million followers, the NBA does an excellent job at engaging their audience. They produce a wide range of content that celebrates their brand and the sport itself in fun, impactful ways.
For example, they will share a highlight reel of mascots shooting trick shots and making big slam dunks, set to upbeat music. Or they’ll post funny videos of halftime show antics. These are lighthearted and entertaining.
Some of their content aims at humanizing the athletes so fans feel a deeper connection to them. For example, they posted a video of RJ Barrett reacting to getting drafted. This gives fans a great experience of following Barrett’s emotional journey to the pros.
Gymshark: Targeted Messaging
Rather than simply posting videos of people showing off their gym clothes, Gymshark posts a lot of content that is educational, like workout videos. This speaks directly to their target audience – fitness enthusiasts.
Other TikToks include flexibility tests, boxing training, challenges, and inspirational stories. Naturally, their audience is interested in learning about new workouts and staying motivated through their fitness journey. This is a great method for indirectly promoting their gym attire.
In short, if you want to succeed with TikTok marketing, you need to be creative.
Partner With Relevant Influencers.
As you saw with GUESS, promoting your content through influencers with massive followings can be incredibly lucrative. But you shouldn’t just connect with any influencer.
You need to find the influencers who are right for your company and fit your budget and goals.
Crocs: Thousand Dollar Crocs
The famous footwear brand produces a diverse amount of content, including ads and challenges. One of the most notable examples is the #ThousandDollarCrocs challenge.
This campaign was inspired by a Post Malone lyric. This lead to a collaboration between the artist and the company, which sold out in no time.
The hashtag challenge encouraged users to post what they think their Crocs would look like if they were priced at $1,000. The results: an 18 percent boost in followers.
Calvin Klein: My Calvins
As part of their #MyCalvins campaign, the luxury fashion brand enlisted the help of celebrities showcasing their favorite clothing items.
For example, musician Shawn Mendes, wearing a Calvin Klein outfit, talked about how he wished others could experience what it feels like to have large audiences sing back to you.
This campaign leveraged other celebrities that catered to the company’s TikTok audience segment. Other influencers involved were A$AP Rocky and Kendall Jenner. They made the content appeal to the younger audience by choosing a suburban setting.
A Bright Future for TikTok Marketing
As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities that you can jump on in the world of TikTok. Determine if it’s worth your resources all comes down to if your audience is on the platform.
But you have to ask yourself this: If they’re not on today, will they be on tomorrow?
Given the rate of growth, TikTok is here to stay, and that could bring in a more diverse audience, including some who might be the age of the decision makers you’re targeting in your industry.
In addition, TikTok advertising is still in its infancy, but it’s proving to be a viable channel to get in front of your ideal customers quickly. Some of the current ad types available now include:
As more companies dive into TikTok marketing, there will be more evidence of successes in a variety of industries. But why wait? You can be the pioneer amongst your competitors.
Author: Jeff Previte
Jeff Previte is the Content Manager at Bluleadz, the world's first inbound agency that helps companies transform the way they market, sell, and service their customers. In his current role, he oversees content strategies for the Bluleadz brand, uses SEO insights to fuel content ideation, ensures brand consistency, and… View full profile ›
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