We totally get it. You’ve been on social media for months, maybe even years, and the dial has yet to turn. You don’t feel confident that what you’re posting matters and you don’t feel motivated to keep trying when all your efforts result in is a few lonely likes and the occasional retweet. It’s time to implement social media tips that really charge up your marketing efforts.

So we thought we’d give you a boost by providing a few insider tips for breaking through on social media from our team of marketing mavens and a couple clever clients.

Bloguettes, Online Marketing Experts

Selective Social 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the various kinds of channels available to you as a social media user. However, it is important to note each channel and what their specific purpose is.

• Facebook is great for posting lengthier news and having conversations with followers.
• Twitter is limited to quick updates and sharing links.
• Instagram only allows for imagery with captions.

Posting the same content across channels becomes redundant to your followers. Consider tweaking your messages, posting similar thoughts tailored appropriately for each respective channel. For example, this article can be posted on Facebook followed by your thoughts, whereas you will be limited to sharing the link and only a few words on Twitter.

Be exceedingly careful of the pitfall where you feel the need to try every social media site out there. There’s a tendency to chase the shiny social media channel that’s in right now, too often that leads to bad strategy with even worse results.

However big your social following is, you can make a real impact by being a selective social media user. Make this the year where you narrow your focus and stick to what is most beneficial to your platform.

 

Kortney Gruenwald, SparkPoint Studio Content Editor

Filter with Purpose

Are you guilty of filter binge-ing? You may or may not be a fan of filtering your photos, but if you are going for black and white one day and then chrome the next, you may be visually offending your audience.

Instead, try to be more intentional about how you edit and filter your photos for a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing social media page.

Seasons absolutely affect the type of content your fans and readers will respond to on social media and that’s especially true on Instagram. As a travel blogger, I have a certain set of filters which I dedicate to each season rather than using the same set year-round — it tells the story more authentically because fans can immediately relate to the moment.

• In summer it’s all about conveying vibrant colors, sharp images of colorful and juicy treats, bright sunny days, moments by sapphire shores and the free-spirited vibes of summer.
• In fall, it’s all about capturing the warm tones, changing colors and coziness of autumn; the same editing tricks I use for summer wouldn’t work for this.

Treat your Instagram account from an editorial perspective by ensuring every season and picture conveys a story, and be sure your editing tricks and go-to filters reflect that.

Sara Harvey Yao, author of Drop In: Lead with Deeper Presence and Courage

Try Starting a Podcast

You do not have to be a radio star to start putting your thoughts on the waves. Starting a podcast is a powerful tool to boost your platform, strengthen your message to a broader audience and establish you as an expert in your field. Check out Sara’s podcast here.

Here are a few easy tips to help you start your podcast this year:

• Decide on a theme: Your podcast will need a general theme that is specific enough that your podcast is unique, but also broad enough to discuss a variety of topics. Pick a core theme that supports your message and inspires others to listen.

• Start with your network: When picking your first few guests, start with people you know whose stories would be relevant and compelling to your audience, as well as supportive and easy guests to interview. 

• Pick topics near and dear to your heart: Nothing is more compelling than an authentic conversation. Pick topics or guests who you want to learn from and the conversation will naturally unfold from your sincere curiosity.

 

Christelle Lujan, SparkPoint Studio Content Marketing Manager

Make Readers the Star

Social media is a majorly mixed bag for authors. Some find themselves tweeting as often as they edit. Others hesitantly post a picture of their book cover every six months. The overall feel is that most authors don’t know what content to share on social media.

In 2017, instead of stressing over what personal detail about your life to share next, make it all about your readers.

• Ask them questions.
• Give them book recommendations.
• Start polls and ignite conversations.

The reality authors may have to face this year is that constant book updates and selfies at the desk just aren’t as entertaining as we’d all hope. If there is an interesting way to let your readers behind the curtain, then great, go for it. But if you’re snapping pictures of your dinner with a half-edited manuscript next to it, you may be overindulging in your own personal life. Readers like books. Period. The likelihood that they’ll go nuts for a selfie is small, so don’t waste your time on social media that goes nowhere.

Think of what you as a reader would want to know from your favorite author and try to replicate that.

Alyssa Jones, SparkPoint Studio Social Media Coordinator

 

Make a Date with Data

Odds are if you have been doing this for a while, you have an audience. It may not be a roaring crowd of readers, but if you have been posting for a while and received some engagement, then you have some valuable analytics at your disposal.

Pick a night, grab a cup of tea, and dig into some stats and research:

• Existing Data: What are your followers responding to?
• Tracking: Document and continue to keep track of which pieces of content get the most shares and likes.
• Competitive Analysis: Look at what your readers are sharing on their accounts and find similar authors and see what’s working on their platforms.
• Industry Trends: What is popular within your community?

Is your content giving your followers what you promised?

The great thing about social media is that you can easily find out what people are saying about your brand, your genre and your business with a little research.

So, even if you don’t have an audience just yet, odds are you know the audience you’d like to have. Put an ear to the community and learn about your people, then deliver to them what they like!