Little-Known Hacks for Maximum Impact
We're way past the part where social media is just a platform for personal updates.
It's an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. Work it right - which means make it work for you - and you can have a comms channel that works hard for your business and generates good returns.
But with endless advice, strategies, and theories floating around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What works? What doesn’t? The good news is that you don’t need a PhD in social media marketing to make an impact.
By applying a few key social media hacks, you can cut through the noise, engage your audience, and build your brand without getting bogged down in complex strategies.
Ain't nobody got time for that!
So let's cut through the dry social media theory and focus on actionable hacks that are easy to learn and implement, how to find relevant content for your business, what to share, and how to gauge just how "social" you should be based on your industry and customer type.
Hack 1: HOW TO Find Relevant Content
The foundation of any good - and organic - social media strategy is content. But how do you find content that is both relevant to your business and engaging to your audience? Here’s how:
Follow Industry Leaders: Start by identifying influencers, thought leaders, and competitors in your industry. See what they are talking about, sharing, and engaging with. Use this as inspiration for your own content, but always add your unique take or perspective.
Set Up Google Alerts: This is a simple hack to stay on top of the latest industry trends and news. Google Alerts will send you notifications whenever there’s new content on your chosen topics. You can use this information to share with your audience or create original posts.
Use Content Aggregators: Tools like Feedly, Flipboard, and Pocket allow you to curate content from various sources in one place. Tailor these to pull content from blogs, news sites, and publications relevant to your business.
Ask Your Audience: The simplest way to ensure your content is relevant? Ask your followers. Use polls and questions to find out what they want to learn about, and then create or share content that speaks to their needs.
Hack 2: What to Share on Social Media
Sharing the right content on social media is all about balance. Too much self-promotion can turn off your audience, but not enough can make your presence feel irrelevant. So what should you share?
Value First, Promotion Second: Aim for the 80/20 rule. 80% of your content should be helpful, informative, or entertaining, while only 20% should be promotional. Share blog posts, how-to's, news articles, infographics, or even industry tips. When it comes time to promote your products or services, your audience will be more receptive.
Visuals Are Key: Posts with images or videos tend to receive more engagement than text-only updates. Whether you’re sharing customer testimonials, behind-the-scenes shots, or infographics, make sure your content is visually appealing.
User-Generated Content: Sharing content created by your customers or followers (with their permission, of course) is a great way to build community and trust. Highlight customer reviews, testimonials, or photos featuring your product.
Engaging Questions and Polls: Ask your audience questions to encourage engagement. Polls are a great tool for easy interaction and also give you insights into what your audience wants.
Trending Topics: Keep an eye on trends and hashtags that are relevant to your industry. Joining trending conversations or even adding your unique spin can help increase visibility and engagement.
Hack 3: How "Social" Should You Be?
How social you should be depends on your industry, your brand’s personality, and your audience’s preferences.
Your aim? To strike the right balance between professional and personable.
Here's how to tailor your approach:
For B2B Brands: If your business is B2B (business-to-business), the key is to provide value and establish authority. Focus on industry insights, case studies, and thought leadership. You can still be personable, but keep the tone professional. LinkedIn is likely to be your primary platform, though don’t ignore Twitter and YouTube for sharing educational content.
For B2C Brands: Business-to-consumer (B2C) brands can be more conversational and fun. Share behind-the-scenes content, user stories, and make good use of Instagram and TikTok for creative visuals. Here, being social is about building an emotional connection with your audience, so respond to comments and engage in conversation.
For Service-Based Businesses: If you’re in a service industry, like consulting, coaching, or legal services, blend expertise with approachability. Use platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or even Twitter to answer common questions, highlight success stories, and share tips. People in these industries often want to feel they’re working with someone approachable but knowledgeable.
For Creatives and Artists: If your business is based on creativity, then social media is a playground. Be active and social across platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube to showcase your work, creative process, and collaborations. Engage with your followers on a personal level to create a strong, supportive community.
Hack 4: Social Listening
Being "social" is not just about posting; it’s about listening, too. Social listening involves monitoring conversations online to understand what people are saying about your industry, brand, or competitors. Here’s why it matters:
Understand Customer Pain Points: By tracking what your audience is talking about, you can identify common challenges or questions that you can address in your content. This gives you valuable insight into how you can position your products or services as solutions.
Monitor Competitors: Social listening also helps you keep an eye on what your competitors are doing and how their audiences are responding. You can use this information to refine your own strategy.
Tools to Help: Tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Mention allow you to track mentions, keywords, and conversations in real time. This gives you an inside look into how your audience feels about your brand and helps you stay on top of trends.
Hack 5: Timing is Everything
Social media is a fast-moving world, and posting at the right time can mean the difference between getting lost in the feed and sparking conversation.
When to Post: Find the best time to post on each platform by checking your analytics. Facebook, for example, often sees more engagement mid-week during the early afternoon, while Instagram tends to perform well in the evenings. Tailor your posting schedule based on when your audience is most active.
Be Consistent: Whether you post once a day or a few times a week, consistency is key. This helps build a routine for your followers, keeping your brand top of mind.
Conclusion: Get Social, Get Results
Social media doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t need to follow every bit of advice to see results.
The key to cutting through the noise is knowing what content matters to your audience, how often to share, and striking the right tone for your brand. With these easy-to-implement social media hacks, you’ll be able to engage your audience effectively and grow your online presence, no matter what industry you’re in.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to "do" social media—it's to actually be social.
When you interact with your audience authentically and share content that’s relevant and valuable, social media becomes a powerful tool for building relationships and growing your business.
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