How To Build a Social Media Strategy

Consumers become more loyal through social media and spend 20-40% more with companies they can engage with on social media platforms, reports Bain & Company. This and other statistics lead experts to explain how establishing an intentional and consistent Social Media Strategy is one of the most necessary, versatile, and cost-effective ways to stay relevant in today’s digital world. Therefore, 2024 is the year to build a Social Media Strategy! Not implementing a focused strategy will limit your business opportunities, leaving you vulnerable to competitors. Despite the hopes of some wishing it would fade away, all signs indicate it-is-here-to-stay.

Why? The short answer is that it is one of the best ways to;

• Help consumers understand your business,

• Showcase your brand,

• Build community and reputation,

• Consistently speak to past customers and prospects.

Furthermore, it is significantly better to have a social media presence than be absent one. Yet, despite the data, some hesitate to give it their all. This is understandable, as it can feel overwhelming, time-consuming, and difficult to measure. But it doesn’t have to be. How? By focusing on platforms that appeal to your target customer and consistently creating multi-use content that is strategically and intentionally focused. Stay with me because, in this post, you will find answers to why a solid Social Media Strategy is important, the pitfalls of social media, how to run your Social Media Strategy, and when to hire a Social Media Manager.

Reasons for Having a Social Media Strategy

Sprout Social reports 80% of business leaders will increase their social media marketing budget over the next three years. 44% expect to increase their budget by 50%.

Here are reasons why you should go for it!

Valuable Information. Being active on social media gives you valuable information about consumer thoughts and preferences. Knowledge is power!

Relationship & Reputation Building Opportunities. By allowing you to communicate with consumers at any time, from anywhere. You can showcase your team, mission, and values in unique ways.

Cost-effective. It allows you to stay top of mind at a low cost. Some platforms allow you to boost posts, showcase reels to increase exposure, and release ads to specified demographics. Others allow video lessons or education through blogs. The exposure opportunities, compared to the cost, are advantageous.

Build community and connection. It allows you to educate consumers and share details about you and your brand in ways you can’t through other advertising medians. Potentially opening doors to groups who are unfamiliar with your products or services.

What are the pitfalls of Social Media Marketing?

• It is ever-changing, making it time-consuming to keep up with administrative updates and trends.
  
• Following a consistent schedule is time-consuming and difficult, impacting its success.
  
• Not responding to comments, questions, and reviews can damage your reputation.
  
• Hoping to gain too much too soon by not understanding it is a long-term game, not an overnight sensation.
  
• Not understanding that its execution requires strategy and research to be successful.

When should you consider hiring a Social Media Manager?

You can’t be a key player in Social Media Marketing without a social media person. You will not achieve its benefits without having someone committed to leading this strategy. Often, organizations make this a dual role for an employee or, depending on the organization’s size, the owner manages it. Is this a viable social media strategy? In most cases, no. Let’s examine what it takes to build a successful Social Media Strategy.

The first step in setting up a viable Social Media Strategy is identifying your goals and KPIs. Next, you will use this information to identify the best platforms. Then, set up each platform correctly. During this process, choose the right marketing keywords for each platform and implement appropriate administrative permissions and protocols. This is essential to the security, accessibility, and promotability of your pages. Once this is in place, begin designing your campaigns, researching content needs, determining how you will promote on each platform, and establish posting frequencies. Then, determine if you plan to create and pay for ads on certain platforms. If you boost posts or launch ads, set a budget, design your ads, and identify ad demographics.

To Get Results Execute a Consistent Plan

When building your campaigns, commit to executing a consistent plan, including quality content, images, captions, hashtags, and font styles. Now, you can create your story and posts or write a blog. Add a “Call to Action” to most of your content. Set calendar reminders to stay on track with creating posts and responding to comments, questions, and reviews. Responding to comments should be a consistent practice.

After your first six weeks of posting, review each platform’s analytics. Use this information to tweak future content. As the year goes by, continue using this information to re-target content and identify trends. Doing this will help maximize your efforts and grow your business.

Social Media Marketing requires time and strategy and should be a viable part of your marketing plan. Implementing it strategically is key to your success. Handing it off to someone in another role is easy, but doing this is cautionary. Often, this person will be spread too thin, and their efforts will not be effective due to time constraints or lack of expertise. Social Media Marketing is here to stay. It is one of the best ways to show consumers who you are and what you do—keeping you top of mind!

Get a Free Assessment

Need to learn better how to manage your Social Media Strategy? We can help. Bear Web Design currently offers Social Media Marketing packages starting at $449/month and Coaching Services. Answer our 10-question free assessment to get tips and learn how we can help you get your Social Media moving. Or, talk directly with our Social Media Specialist, Sabrina Jewell.

Sabrina and Bear Web Design would love to see you on our socials. To view our latest social media tips and offerings, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

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