"Have we talked about social media strategy before? Absolutely. So you might be thinking, 'What makes this article different?' Well friends, we assembled our finest social media experts (all of us), donned our strategic thinking caps (normal thinking caps, but with better analytics), and packed this article with everything we know about digital and social media marketing.
Behold: Our comprehensive approach to social media, served fresh from the nest.
Social media is undoubtedly the most valuable tool in your digital marketing toolkit. As Guy Kawasaki noted, 'Social media is God's gift to entrepreneurs.' Think about it - you've built a following of people actually waiting to hear from you, and you don't have to pay each time you deliver something of value. (This is the anti-Madison avenue agency structure). The power lies in creating and sharing valuable content. It's that simple... or is it?
Let's revise that seemingly simple formula. What you really need to do is 'Make valuable and relevant content and post it.' Like any component of marketing planning, social media posting is only as effective as the strategy behind it. Every platform serves a distinct purpose, and blanket posting identical content across all channels won't yield optimal results.
Consider walking into a restaurant expecting their signature dish, only to find they've completely changed their menu without telling anyone. Confusing, right? Similarly, successful social media strategy requires understanding each platform's unique environment and meeting users' expectations within those spaces. Showing up on someone's feed with misaligned content creates disconnect rather than engagement.
Platform-Specific Strategies
Facebook - Videos, Blogs, and Curated Content
The platform has evolved from personal connections into a sophisticated content ecosystem. Open your Facebook app right now and count how many posts until you see an article or video shared by someone you follow. It likely didn't take long, did it?
Facebook serves as a prime channel for building your brand and engaging with your community. Videos consistently prove to be the most engaging type of content across all digital marketing tools, showing higher engagement rates than images and text-based posts.
X (Twitter) - News, Industry Updates, and Strategic Engagement
Twitter has evolved far beyond being just another social channel. With over 350 million active users, it's become a powerful hub for breaking news, industry insights, and real-time business communications.
Your followers look to Twitter for timely, relevant updates. Share your company milestones: New team members, office expansions, brand collaborations. But remember - sharing news isn't just about your own announcements. Position yourself as an industry resource by sharing relevant developments in your field, always adding your unique perspective to the conversation.
LinkedIn - Professional Content and Business Development
LinkedIn has transformed from a simple networking platform into a comprehensive business ecosystem. Use it strategically to post job opportunities, showcase company achievements, and establish thought leadership within your industry. Visual content matters here too - LinkedIn's own data shows that posts with images generate 98% higher comment rates, while video content typically sees a 75% higher share rate.
Instagram - Visual Storytelling and Brand Identity
Instagram's evolution mirrors the changing landscape of digital marketing tools. Success here requires understanding two key elements: visual appeal and authenticity. While some brands focus on creating perfectly curated feeds, others connect through raw, behind-the-scenes content. What matters most is consistency in your approach and genuine storytelling that aligns with your marketing planning goals.
Strategic Hashtag Implementation
Each platform requires a distinct hashtag approach - it's not one-size-fits-all in the world of digital and social media marketing. Let's break it down:
While Facebook hasn't updated its hashtag guidelines since 2016, strategic hashtag use still matters. Think of hashtags as your content's compass - they make your posts discoverable in Facebook's billions of daily searches. Keep it minimal and relevant, and consider creating a branded hashtag that aligns with your marketing planning objectives.
Instagram's hashtag strategy has evolved significantly. While you can use up to 30 hashtags, Instagram now recommends limiting them to five for optimal performance. Focus on niche-specific tags rather than broad terms - #HashtagStrategy will serve you better than #Marketing. Remember: Instagram's algorithm considers both your hashtags and captions when determining content distribution.
Hashtags are Twitter's bread and butter. They provide context without wasting precious characters in your 280-character limit. Twitter recommends using no more than two hashtags per post - any more can actually decrease engagement. Include your branded hashtag in your Twitter bio for consistent brand presence.
LinkedIn's approach to hashtags is refreshingly straightforward. Their official guidance emphasizes three key benefits:
- Establishing credibility and expertise
- Reaching relevant audiences
- Initiating meaningful industry conversations
Limit yourself to three hashtags per LinkedIn post, placing them at the end of your content for optimal professionalism.
Social Media Management Tools: Working Smarter
Success in social media isn't about working harder - it's about leveraging the right digital marketing tools. Scheduling platforms transform your social media strategy from a daily scramble into a streamlined operation.
At Little Bird, we're advocates for strategic scheduling. Picture having nearly 1,000 posts ready to roll out across the year - that's what proper planning looks like. Your social media calendar shouldn't feel like a daily emergency.
Consider these key aspects when selecting management tools:
- Content scheduling capabilities
- Analytics and reporting features
- Multi-platform management
- Team collaboration options
- Visual content management
Measuring Success: Beyond the Likes
Analytics aren't just numbers - they are insights into your audience's behavior. Key metrics to track include:
- Engagement rates (likes, shares, comments)
- Reach and impressions
- Click-through rates
- Conversion metrics
- Audience growth
But remember: vanity metrics aren't the whole story. A post with fewer likes but higher quality engagement (thoughtful comments, shares with commentary) often provides more value than one with surface-level interactions.
Implementation Best Practices
1. Content Creation and Curation Balance your content mix between:- Original insights and thought leadership
- Industry news and trends
- Behind-the-scenes glimpses
- Customer success stories
- Educational content
- Respond promptly to comments and messages
- Engage authentically with your community
- Share user-generated content when relevant
- Foster meaningful discussions
3. Consistency is Key Maintain regular posting schedules without sacrificing quality. It's better to post quality content three times a week than mediocre content daily.
4. Visual Brand Consistency Develop a cohesive visual strategy that aligns with your brand guidelines while adapting to each platform's unique characteristics.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Over-automation: Don't let scheduling tools make you forget the 'social' in social media
- Platform misalignment: What works on Instagram won't necessarily work on LinkedIn
- Inconsistent branding: Maintain your voice across platforms while adapting to each channel's nuances
- Neglecting analytics: Regular performance review should inform your strategy adjustments
Remember: successful social media isn't about perfection – it's about authentic connection backed by strategic intention. Your audience can tell the difference.
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