Categories:
Looking to improve your brand’s social media presence in 2024? With the speed at which the social media landscape evolves it can be tempting to jump right to adding new platforms—but it’s not the only way—and often not the most efficient way to improve the impact of your brand’s social media efforts.
Before you jump to adding another platform, consider these three social media resolutions to help you fine-tune the work you’re doing on the platforms you’re already using!
1. Focus on Meaningful Engagement over Metrics
While metrics such as likes, shares, and follower count remain important, the focus in 2024 should shift towards meaningful engagement. Algorithms on social media platforms are becoming more sophisticated, emphasizing quality interactions over quantity.
A. Foster Conversations: Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and mentions. Initiate conversations by posing questions, seeking opinions, or encouraging users to share their experiences. By creating a dialogue, you build a community around your brand.
B. Create Interactive Content: Leverage the interactive features of social media platforms. Polls, quizzes, and live sessions are effective tools to captivate your audience and make them active participants in your content. This not only boosts engagement but also provides valuable insights into your audience’s preferences.
C. Collaborate with Your Audience: Involve your audience in decision-making processes or product development. Seek their input on new features, designs, or initiatives. This collaborative approach makes your audience feel valued and strengthens their connection to your brand.
2. Embrace Authenticity and Transparency
In an era where consumers value authenticity more than ever, brands need to be genuine and transparent in their social media interactions. Authenticity builds trust, and trust is the foundation of strong customer relationships.
In 2024, consumers are increasingly discerning and seek brands that align with their values. To embody authenticity:
A. Humanize Your Brand: Introduce the faces behind your brand. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your team, workplace, and the creative processes that shape your products or services. By showcasing the human side of your brand, you create a connection that goes beyond transactions.
B. Own Up to Mistakes: In a world where perfection is often portrayed on social media, admitting to mistakes can set your brand apart. If an error occurs, address it openly, apologize sincerely, and communicate the steps you’re taking to rectify the situation. This level of transparency resonates with consumers and builds credibility.
C. Share User Stories: Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your brand. User-generated content not only provides social proof but also allows your audience to see real people benefiting from your products or services.
3. Prioritize Value over Promotion
In 2024, the shift towards consumer-centric content is more pronounced than ever. While promotional content has its place, brands that prioritize delivering value to their audience stand out in a crowded social media landscape.
A. Educational Content: Share content that educates and empowers your audience. This could include how-to guides, tutorials, or informative articles related to your industry. By positioning your brand as a source of knowledge, you provide value and also establish authority and trust.
B. Entertaining and Inspirational Content: Consumers often turn to social media for entertainment and inspiration. Create content that brings joy, laughter, or motivation to your audience. This could be in the form of engaging stories, humorous videos, or inspiring quotes. When your content elicits positive emotions, it fosters a positive association with your brand.
C. User-Centric Stories: Feature stories that highlight the experiences and successes of your customers. These stories both humanize your brand and serve as authentic testimonials. Real-life stories resonate more with audiences than traditional promotional content and can influence purchasing decisions.
D. Solve Problems: Identify the pain points and challenges your audience faces, and create content that addresses those issues. Whether it’s through troubleshooting guides, product comparisons, or life hacks, providing solutions demonstrates your brand’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
E. Community Building: Foster a sense of community among your followers. Encourage discussions, celebrate milestones, and create a space where users can connect with each other. A strong community enhances brand loyalty and generates organic advocacy.
While promotional content is essential, finding the right balance ensures that your social media presence is not perceived solely as a marketing tool but as a valuable resource within the digital landscape. By prioritizing content that’s authentic and transparent, adds value to the consumer experience, and sparks meaningful engagement, brands can cultivate a loyal and engaged audience, and an online presence that not only survives but thrives in the dynamic digital landscape of the future.
About Ethos|VONT
More than an advertising agency, Ethos is a 100% employee-owned multiplatform branding agency founded in 1999 by a small team of discerning marketing and creative minds who believed in the inherent value of truth. Today, Ethos develops and executes integrated marketing campaigns across multiple channels for clients inside and outside of Maine. The company’s guiding principle is to uncover and communicate every client’s unique promise and truth and then set a meaningful marketing course design to achieve maximum results.
Ethos excels in the fields of food and beverage, agricultural trade commodities, financial services companies, healthcare organizations and behavior change. In 2007, to position the agency to meet the emerging digital marketing trend, Ethos launched VONT, a digital performance marketing company dedicated exclusively to web, social media and online marketing channels. Together, Ethos and VONT work hand in glove to deliver integrated marketing communications across multiple channels for clients. For more information, visit www.ethos-marketing.com.
