Social media marketing strategies are crucial to reaching consumers, and the number of things you can do to create unique customer experiences is mind-boggling.
Wondering where to start is often the biggest hurdle facing brand builders. So today, we're solving that problem with some creative social media marketing strategies to inspire you.
There are lots of reasons why the majority of businesses started this year will fail; however, one massive factor is the misappropriation of marketing budgets. Too many small business owners still believe that expensive marketing campaigns are the key to success. In reality, ingenuity is far more effective than spending.
Not enough thought is put into today's marketing campaigns; and that's sort of understandable. Running a start-up is more than a full-time job, and it's easier to dump available capital into marketing than it is to sit down and brainstorm real, targeted ideas. However, when that expensive marketing campaign (the one you're counting on to work) doesn't deliver results, you're left with no leads and no funds.
And that's one of the main reasons why businesses fail.
Some Social Media Marketing Strategies to Inspire You
Your ideal customers don't want to be talked to. And they certainly don't want to be sold to.
What they really want is to be inspired, to be able to imagine what's possible, and to be part of an experience. These are the things that make them notice your brand—and even more importantly, make them want to be part of it.
How can you accomplish that with social media marketing strategies?
Here are a few ideas to get your creativity rolling:
- Stage Social Media Takeovers. If you haven't heard of this, a brand will allow an influencer (a celebrity or other significant figure in their industry) to take over all posting and engagement on their social media page for the day. Not only will this boost engagement on any given social media page, it will attract the influencer's audience to the page (because they should announce that it will be happening "over at So-And-So's page"). If you're thinking about doing this, make sure the influencer is a name that your audience members will go out of their ways to interact with, and that the person's own audience has a high concentration of your ideal customers.
- Do Something They Won't Believe—and Cover It. In 2009, Bill Gates wanted to bring a poor community's experience to his audience. He released a swarm of uninfected mosquitoes on them. Of course, the audience was shocked—as were social media users around the world. This is the kind of unexpected stunt that can harvest viral attention. It's weird. It's the last thing anyone would expect. And they won't be able to keep from sharing it.
Create Something Share-Worthy. When you put people in a situation (or show them something) that is the most beautiful, unique, or unbelievable thing they've seen in a long time, they will want to share photos and videos on social media. Create an unparalleled experience at your place of business (or at another venue in the name of your brand). This could be a unique food or drink delivery, a live contest of some sort, a performer…or anything else that would align with your brand and interest your ideal customers. Don't forget to invite people to post to social media with a custom hashtag while they're there.- Host a Competition. Have an item to give away? Come up with something that your target audience members will see as exciting and valuable. Then run a contest on social media. Maybe it's just a "like and share for a chance to win" campaign. Or, maybe it will be something more engaging, like a "name the new product" contest or a "submit the funniest photo" contest. Make sure the prize is something your ideal customers would buy for themselves. Also make sure the contest is something they'll want to do.
- Throw a Party with V.I.P. Guests. The best party is the one you're not invited to. Gather some select target audience members and give them V.I.P. passes to your grand opening party, your anniversary celebration or some other significant event. Talk about the event in advance. Give people the opportunity to earn admission. Post lots of photos (and even live video) of people having the times of their lives at the party…and then watch your audience fill with people who want to be invited to your brand's next event.
These are just a few ideas to get you started thinking about your own social media marketing strategies.
Keep your ideal customer in mind at all times, and create social media buzz by giving them the things they can't resist sharing with their friends (who are probably also your ideal customers).
Speaking of social media, did you know that we have a How to Build a Brand group on Facebook, where freedom-focussed entrepreneurs and business owners gather to learn how to build their purpose-driven brands? It's FREE, so there's no reason you shouldn't be in here with us!
