Learn the basics of social media marketing.

A substantial 81% of customers' purchasing choices are swayed by their friends' posts on social media, according to Market Force. This means that when your followers interact with your content, it's not just a one-on-one connection; their entire network can also be influenced.

Hubspot notes that a striking 71% of consumers are more inclined to buy something if it's recommended on social media. So, when someone shouts out your brand online, it amplifies your chance of making a sale to everyone who sees that endorsement. 

Bazaarvoice highlights that conversions can soar by 133% when mobile shoppers encounter positive reviews about your product before they decide to purchase. In essence, glowing reviews on Facebook and other platforms can be pivotal in persuading people to try your business.

1.1) Facebook: 

Facebook reigns as a social media titan with 1.9 billion people logging in daily. It's a hit with both Gen Xers and Millennials, making it a goldmine for businesses aiming to chat up consumers. 

It's the go-to for getting your brand's name out there, pushing ads, and gathering your fans in one place. It works well, especially if you're selling directly to shoppers.

1.2) Instagram: 

Instagram's got a billion users each month, and it's Millennial central. It's a hit for businesses selling things directly to consumers with its catchy photos and reels. 

Only 12 years in the game and it's a big deal for ads and sharing cool content. Plus, it's a one-stop shop — you can find it, love it, and buy it without ever leaving the app. 

1.3) TikTok: 

TikTok is the buzzing hub of 1 billion monthly active users worldwide, capturing the hearts of Gen Z and Millennials. It's a playground for both B2B and B2C sectors, dominating the scene with snappy, inventive videos and a flood of content from users themselves. 

It's a powerhouse for getting your brand seen and heard. For building a community that sticks around, it's second only to YouTube, making it a marketer's dream for viral buzz.

1.4) ✗ : 

X's buzzing with 211 million daily users, mainly Millennials, making waves in both B2B and B2C worlds. It's the place for PR magic, top-notch customer service, and creating a community that talks back.

1.5) LinkedIn: 

LinkedIn has a massive 774 million users worldwide, and it's where professionals from all generations — Baby Boomers to Millennials — get down to business. It's the top spot for B2B companies to meet up, forge new business relationships, and sell socially. 

LinkedIn is where you'll find everyone from job seekers to industry leaders, making it a powerhouse for businesses to connect with the people who call the shots.

1.6) Youtube: 

YouTube has over 315 million people tuning in daily from around the world, with a strong mix of ages and genders, though Millennials are the main viewers.

It’s great for businesses aiming to get noticed, whether they're selling to consumers or other businesses. It shines with longer videos that entertain or teach something, and it's a smart move for boosting your search rankings and running ads. 

It’s not just popular — it’s the second most visited site globally, says HootSuite. Plus, it’s a champion for building a community. With a tendency for longer watch times, YouTube is the perfect place for sharing in-depth educational content that keeps viewers hooked.

1.7) Pinterest: 

Pinterest is home to 444 million monthly users globally, with a strong following among Millennials, and considerable attention from Gen Z, Gen X, and Baby Boomers. 

It's a favourite for consumer-focused businesses, especially for visual advertising and sparking inspiration. 

85% of Pinterest users turn to it when they're ready to kick off a new project. Plus, 80% of people who visit Pinterest weekly end up discovering new brands or products there. It's more than just a place to find cool stuff; it's where brands can tell their story through captivating images and visual collections.

2) Benefits of Social Media Marketing

1. Increase Brand Awareness: 

With so many people scrolling through social media, not being there means you could be skipping the chance to introduce your brand to tons of folks. Social media is a powerhouse for making your brand more noticeable.

It gets people talking and interacting with your posts through comments, likes, sharing with friends, and bookmarking your stuff for later. Plus, it's a smart way to guide more visitors to your website. Just pop some links to your site and special deals in your social media bio and posts, and you're good to go.

2. Get more leads and make more sales: 

Putting your products out there on social media is an easy way to gather new leads, make more sales, especially since you're reaching out to people who chose to follow you and thus, might be interested in your services or products already.

Here’s how you can generate more leads on social media:

• Run fun contests on your profiles that your followers can join.
• Pop links to your site and special deals in your social profiles' bio sections.
• Use your social pages to sell things directly. With features like Facebook's Shop or Instagram's Shopping, people can tap on a product in your posts to see the price, material, size, and more, then head straight to checkout and buy it from you.

3. Make friends with your customers: 

You can create real bonds with your followers by chatting with them, answering their comments, and helping them out when they need it. Try asking them what they think about your products, their main struggles, or run giveaways. 

This builds trust and shows you really care about their thoughts and support.

4. See what the competition's up to: 

Social media is perfect for snooping on your competitors – from their social strategies and what they’re selling to the kinds of campaigns they're running and how they talk to their followers. It's like a secret window into what works for them and what doesn't, which can help you figure out your own game plan. 

Plus, peeking at your rivals' social pages can spark ideas to ensure your marketing really pops and feels true to your brand.

3) Creating a Social Media Marketing Strategy

Social media keeps changing, but the key steps to success pretty much stay the same. It's like building a regular marketing plan but for a special social media scene.

Nailing social media marketing is all about having a master plan. Think of it as your treasure map that guides you to online glory.

Here's the treasure you'll find with a solid strategy:

• You've got a clear game plan, so every post and move you make on social media has a purpose.
• It gives you a way to measure your wins and learn from your losses.
• You can pull off big, fancy campaigns with lots of moving parts.
• Your team can sail smoothly, saving precious time because you're not just winging it.
• When you've got a strategy, your team isn't just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. You’re following a blueprint.

Jay Baer, the brain behind Convince & Convert, puts it like this: "The top-notch social media strategies aren’t married to any single tool; they’re all about hitting your goals and knocking your own socks off, no matter where you're posting."

Step 1: Choose your destination.

What's your end game with social media? 

Maybe you want to become the talk of the town, get more people clicking to your website, get more leads, keep your customers coming back for more, or just make them happier. 

Decide on your big goals, then chop them into bite-sized tasks. 

For instance, to get more website visitors, you might post more often, make share-friendly stuff, or start some ads that zero in on your crowd.

Step 2: Know who you're talking to.

Figure out who your products are for and what tickles their fancy.

Let's say you sell cool workout gear. Your crowd might be young people who dig comfy yet trendy gym clothes. Knowing this helps you create content that'll catch the eyes of the people you want shopping with you. 

And hey, why not ask your followers what they like directly? Their opinion can give you clues on how to make your stuff even more irresistible.

Step 3: Pick your social stage.

Next up, choose where to show off your content. It's not about good or bad choices; it's about where your potential buyers are scrolling. Be where they are now, and where they'll be tomorrow. 

If your trendy gym wear is perfect for those athleisure-loving young adults, then make a beeline for Instagram. And if you hear they're all about Pinterest or TikTok, dive into those platforms instead. 

Don't bother with places your audience doesn’t go.

Step 4: Track what matters.

Now, get down to the nitty-gritty with data. Focus on stats that tie back to your goals, not just the flashy numbers. 

Here’s what to pay attention to:

• Reach: How many unique people are seeing your posts?
• Clicks: How many clicks are your posts and profile getting?
• Engagement: Are people actually interacting with your content?
• Hashtag power: Which tags are winning and getting identified with your brand?
• Real likes vs. ad likes: Know the score between organic props and ones you pay for.
• Mood metre: What vibes are your posts giving off? Happy customers or not so much?

Step 5: Scout out the competition.

Doing some detective work on your competition can show you who's who and what's working for them (or not). It'll give you an idea of what's standard in your field, so you can set your own social media goals.

You might see a chance to shine where they're not showing up. Like, if they're big on Facebook but not much on Instagram, you could make a splash there instead.

Here's a tip: Keep an eye on their customer reviews for insider info on what people love or hate about them. Look for common gripes and use those insights to steer your strategy clear of the same mistakes.

Step 6: Craft content that catches the eye.

With billions online, it's likely some of your audience has seen similar stuff to yours. Stand out by making content that’s too good to ignore and gives them a reason to hit "Follow."

What grabs attention? 

It depends on your crowd. Do your homework. Find out what your audience likes, then make stuff that taps into that.

Get inventive by checking out your competition’s posts, then promote your goods in a way that’s all you. And don't forget to play with the platform's unique features in a way that feels authentic to you. 

Encourage your customers to get involved, too. Have them share their own pics and stories with your product, maybe with a special hashtag.

And trends? They're your friend — if you're quick. Hop on them early to make the most of it, or you might just miss the boat.

Step 7: Plan your posts.

To keep your social media on track, consider using a tool that schedules your posts. These apps let you set up your posts ahead of time and take care of posting for you. They also keep an eye on how your content's doing.

Wondering how much to post? Quality beats quantity. It’s better to share a few top-notch posts than lots of filler. Find your sweet spot with how often and when to post by looking at what works best for engagement with your audience.

Step 8: Tweak your tactics.

Since social media never stays still, it’s smart to regularly check if your approach is working. Set times to review your strategy — maybe monthly or quarterly. Use these check-ins to see what's hitting the mark or missing it, and to spot new chances.

During these reviews, see if you're moving towards your goals. Compare your results to the goals and key performance indicators you set. Spot the weak spots and patch them up.

Also, keep your ear to the ground for the latest social media shifts, like algorithm updates, changing user habits, new features, and fresh platforms or tech.

For example, if X’s big in your strategy, you need to think about how its changes under new ownership could affect you.

4) Social Media Engagement & Listening

On social media, you're going to get cheers and jeers from people. Everything's out in the open, and people don't hold back online.

That's why you've got to keep tabs on the buzz about you. And be ready with a playbook of replies for any curveballs, like a negative comment or a not-so-great post about your business.

Staying tuned in to the chatter is key.

Once you start mixing it up on social media, you'll see people tuning in and talking up your stuff. Your job? Keep an eye on all the talk about your brand and chime in when needed.

You can keep track of it old-school style, or get a little help from techy sidekicks like Hootsuite, Buffer, or BuzzSumo. As time goes by, you'll collect some solid intel on your audience.

Now the big question: What will you do with all that info? If you sift through it and really get what makes your audience tick, you can jazz up your social media plan and hit it out of the park.

Social media is always hopping with new trends, and they can sway how well your posts do. You don't need to jump on every trend, but knowing what's hot can help you connect with your audience.

For example, when COVID-19 changed travel plans, local trips became the new thing. Suddenly, everyone was posting about road trips and cosy cabins. Brands that wanted to stay cool had to catch up with these trends.

When you're making your social media plan, remember why people are on these platforms: to stay updated, chat with friends, have a laugh, and share bits of their day. Listen to the online chatter to get the real scoop on what your audience expects from you.

Bottomline:

Social media marketing is like a friendly chat around a digital campfire where businesses and customers get to know each other. It's about being where your customers are, talking their language, and staying on top of the latest buzz.

The secret sauce? Have a game plan, keep it real, and always be ready to mix things up. By doing this, you’ll make sure your brand isn't just another face in the crowd but a true friend to your customers. 

So go ahead, dive into the social media party, and let your brand's personality shine!