Stop the stress: Social media shouldn’t be scary!

Love or hate it, social media is here to stay in some shape or form. And with the constant introduction of new platforms (anyone on Threads yet?) and updates, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Where to start? What channels should I post on? What content should I share? Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.

We’re on a mission to make social media fun again, all while still hitting the mark with content that is engaging, real and relatable for audiences. So whether you’re launching a new project, or revisiting your strategy after a less than impressive year, here’s our take on how to take the 😨 out of social media and put a 😊 back on your boss’ face!

Social media shouldn’t be scary 😱

Let’s get it out of the way, social media shouldn’t frighten you! Instead, think of it as a direct way to touch base with your audience. It’s an effective way to connect directly with your followers, speak to potential customers and show off your brand’s personality.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by it, the first tip is to change your perspective. Social media is a bit like kicking your feet up after a big day. You can be a little bit more “relaxed” with your audience, use humour, spice up your messaging and ditch the corporate spiel and over edited captions.

Still worried? Let’s work through a few small examples to lighten the pressure!

What should I post? 🤔

It’s important to remember that social media is an extension of your brand.
Remember shop-front windows? Instagram is almost like a digital window into your brand, so you need to make sure you present your goods and services in an engaging format. Considering the tone of voice, the quality of the images and videos you post, and the frequency of content are just some of the ways you can use social media to your advantage.

We need to mention, that it’s important to have a clear strategy behind your posting too, so it’s best to consider your brand pillars. You might like to consult a social media agency (like us!) to not only get the most out of the time and energy you spend on your socials, but also ensure your efforts aren’t wasted on posting content that isn’t relatable or relevant to your audience.

This is also important for those looking for B2B social media marketing. By sharing key insights, knowledge and even info ‘hacks’ that offer value beyond your goods and services you can gain brand advocates and build and engaged following.

How do I engage with my audience? 🎤

Okay so we’ve got some great content but how do we engage with our audience? It’s time to relate! But beware, you’ll need to do the hard yards first! Discover who your audience is through key personas or research and develop your branding, including tone of voice, first.

Engaging with your audience won’t just increase your audience, it’s also a good way to ensure the algorithm prioritises your content.
Look at Queensland Police and the NSW Police Force for example. These two organisations leverage significant community events, such as State of Origin, as a way to relate to their audience and generate conversations. Not only does it add a bit of humour to the feed, but it also increases engagement, so when the police do need public assistance for important alerts, their content is at the top of your feed.

Dominos Australia also nailed the relatable content idea to stay front of mind. Of course, everyone hates Mondays so instead of just popping up a post of a pizza with some sales copy like “It’s Monday, time for pizza,” in this Facebook post, they’ve added buying their pizzas to a checklist to relate with their audience and slot into the routine, while having a bit of fun too.

It’s not just pizza, Donut King recently jumped on the MET gala bandwagon with a meme of Rihanna at the MET to stay front of mind with millennials and young mums.

So, whether you add humour or give your audience something new to learn, one of the main tips is to relate to your audience and add some personality to the feed. Your organic reach will benefit greatly!

How do I manage the comments? 👀

Let’s be upfront, the way you manage your comments section is a make or break. So, it’s best to consult an agency first to get it right. Social media doesn’t sleep, and neither do our team members when moderating for a client (just kidding….. we do – but we never leave a comment without responding!)

Do I have to spend a lot of money on influencer marketing? 💸

Influencers have their power. Around 37 per cent of consumers trust social media influencers over brands. But this can be costly, especially if you’re a small business or just getting started.

Take for example, Airbnb, who recently scored a free promotion from TikTok star Alix Earle. It’s reported a post from Alix to her large fan base can cost between $40,000 – $70,000 for sponsored content. So how did Airbnb get it for free?

The star was recently on holiday in Italy with friends when her booked accommodation turned out to be a scam. Enter Airbnb to save the day, by quickly messaging the star to help her out with accommodation options and in turn, got a free plug on her TikTok. This is just one example of how brands can utilise their products and services to help others, and benefit their reputation in the process!