Social media platforms have a gigantic audience. Facebook, the most popular network, is used by 2.8 billion people! Without a presence on social media, the growth potential of your company is restrained. If you do not know how to rock out a flawless campaign, discover the nitty-gritty details below.
This is a highly competitive environment, and it is also overloaded with visual information. Capturing attention is a challenge. Fortunately, brands have plenty of tools at their disposal. For example, ads automation products let you create, test, and polish your campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat simultaneously. Here are the basics of effective promotion.
1. Define the Goal What do you want to achieve with your campaign? Is it better brand awareness, an improved brand image, or more leads and purchases? What do you want the users to do when they see your ad? The goal must be clear and quantifiable, so you can measure progress. Define suitable metrics, too.
2. Choose Platforms And Methods Every social media site has its peculiarities. For example, LinkedIn is best for B2B sales, while Snapchat is fun and popular with people under 35. Facebook has the largest audience. Engaging all existing channels is unnecessary. Choose the ones that suit your industry. For example, you would not advertise a steam cleaner for cars on Pinterest.
Each platform offers a range of ad formats. According to research, users are most likely to engage with videos, while images are always more effective than text. Instagram allows you to create posts, Stories, IGTV content, and more. Whatever the format, the ads must not be salesy. Instead, focus on telling engaging stories for users to relate to.
3. Create a CalendarYour ad campaign must be based on a schedule with weekly and monthly benchmarks. The best times for posting are different for different industries. Outline your ads for each day, week, and month of the endeavor. Pay attention to the messaging and creative copy. For example, your schedule may include a couple of special posts daily on 2-3 channels.
4. Create Visual ContentNow you are all set for the creative stage. Your brand needs captivating videos or unique relevant images with bright colors. Remember that social media users are bombarded with visual content around the clock. Creating something special may seem daunting, but it is easier than ever.
You do not have to hire a graphic designer to make fun and engaging images. Companies may use free photos and cheap stock images or create their own content using apps like Canva. Graphic design software lets you craft personalized images in seconds.
6. Monitor and RespondAfter launching the campaign, stay involved and monitor its performance metrics. Be present on all of your profiles, and set up alerts to keep track of new comments and replies. Respond quickly.
7. Analyze and Adjust Take a closer look at your analytics to understand which methods work best. For example, you may see that your early morning ads drove the most engagement, while those placed in mid-afternoon flopped. A specific type of visual content could be more effective than others, etc. Any such insights should be used for subsequent campaigns.
The Bottom LineThese are the bare essentials of launching a social media campaign in 2021. Remember that your strategy must be tied in with your general Inbound Marketing plan. Choose platforms your target audience uses the most often, and craft your ads carefully to drive engagement through compelling content. Keep your eyes on the prize, whether it is more leads, customers, or visits.