Let’s face it: crafting social media content takes time. And time is money.
You want your B2B or B2C business to…
- Capture people’s attention
- Showcase your products proudly
- Prove you’re a brand worth trusting
So how can you stand out amidst the endless stream of social media trends? Or flourish despite the barrage of algorithms and AI advancements?
Sure, flashy technology and influencer partnerships can boost views exponentially—if only temporarily. Yet, the biggest surprise is this: long-term marketing success favors simple and practical social media content.
These five tried-and-true strategies will engage your audience, increase visibility, and drive growth. No hassle or hustle required.
Social Media Content Strategy #1: Short-Form Videos
Sixty-six percent of consumers prefer short-form videos over other types of social media content. Here’s why:
- It’s digestible—bite-sized chunks of information delivered in 30 seconds or less
- It’s authentic—filmed in casual settings (putting a face to the name) with an unscripted and/or conversational tone
- It’s accessible—viewable on any device and highly prioritized by digital algorithms
The best news? Short-form video requires few production costs. All you need is a high-quality smartphone camera and a VERTICAL recording space with good lighting.
Now, think about what might catch your audience’s attention.
- A new product demo?
- A behind-the-scenes tour?
- An employee spotlight?
- A pledge about sustainability?
Look to popular brands for inspiration. This Ikea ad weaves an entire narrative around a kitchen mat, injecting humor and empathy while relating to customer needs.
Once you have your subject matter, add background music and filters during post-production. Next, publish your short-form video as a Facebook Reel or Instagram Story. Remember to monitor back-end engagement (views, direct messages, comments, etc.) to better understand customer interests.
Social Media Content Strategy #2: Images
A picture is worth a thousand words—according to social media trends. Consider these images from two of our fabulous clients; they’re much different in approach but identical in result:
The first post uses:
- Bold colors
- Sophisticated Lighting
- Sleek product features
The second post uses:
- Cute pup
- Creative, brand-appropriate caption
- Original imagery
They both got your attention, right? High-quality imagery draws readers in. Visuals convey the brand and its values through composition, logos, and captions.
Marketing Tip! How to Create Professional Photos and Graphics
Effective images come in all shapes and sizes. Backgrounds can be changed. Elements can be erased. Logos and brand colors can be added. Bottom line: you can DIY your aesthetic.
Enhance images with:
- Free phone editing tools and apps
- Filters on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
- Customized and/or edited stock photos
- Repurposed GIFs or memes
- AI-generated visuals
Posting images on social platforms gives you a boost with the audience and the algorithms. That’s bringing your ‘A’ game!
Two spaces to bookmark:
- Instagram Stories: share candid content and tease announcements exclusively viewable within a 24-hour window (before the Story vanishes)
- E-commerce Platforms: tag images as “products” so readers can visit your shop with one click
Social Media Content Strategy #3: Live Videos
Streaming live footage to your audience can include:
- Hosting a webinar
- Walking through a tutorial
- Interviewing a collaborator
- Holding a Q&A session
Live videos are a chance to educate your audience in real time. It’s where you’ll parcel information and advice, demonstrate authority, and sway purchasing decisions.
Live videos also provide a unique space to build community. Facebook and Instagram, for instance, let people message the host during a live broadcast. Therefore, you can address attendees’ thoughts, questions, and curiosities on the spot. Don’t forget—make live streaming more dynamic by embedding polls or other interactive, two-way content.
Imagine the time you’d save… cutting out the “middleman.” Essentially, foregoing the labor-intensive task of writing and bundling hours of social media content.
However, play it smart. Didactic learning requires a variety of distribution channels (audio, written, visual) to remain effective and inclusive.
More marketing tips for posting live videos:
- Do build up excitement by teasing your event ahead of time
- Don’t rely on improvisation—keep it on track with a rough outline
- Do mix in a dash of product promotion or some call-to-action
- Don’t let the finished livestream gather dust—repurpose and reshare
Social Media Content Strategy #4: Infographics
Similar to images, infographics are where drawings, text, and typography collide. Akin to a chart or diagram, its unique style and function houses anything from facts, figures, comparisons, and benefits.
Want to share a mountain of stats about your business’s growth?
Trying to explain the inner workings of a complex process or service?
Look no further than this highly visual, easily digestible format. A few examples:
With a blending of vibrant colors and snippets of content, infographics are the perfect tool for consumer education. Sharing data indicates that your brand is well-organized and committed to transparency. Plus, infographics are an eye-catching resource with the power to “slow the scroll” across social feeds.
Like other types of images, infographics can be refurbished in reports, emails, blogs, and client case studies—to name a few. We recommend Canva, a user-friendly, top-rated, free design tool for all your drafting needs.
Social Media Content Strategy #5: Interactive Content
Beyond comment sections, social media offers various types of content to encourage audience engagement. Surveys and polls are commonly used to collect feedback on different aspects of your brand. Instagram Stories are especially popular for running quick polls and rankings.
When creating a poll or survey, consider:
- Questions your audience might have about your brand
- Product categories that might pique their interest
You can even stage a friendly competition between two products:
Other types of content to engage your audience include:
- Inventories and quizzes
- Interactive tours
- User-generated content
- Feedback and review pages
A Final Reminder:
Before you start generating any new social media content, ask yourself:
1) Who are you (as a brand)?
2) Who are you trying to reach (partners, sponsors, or customers)?
These questions, above all others, can steer you toward the relationships and ROI that will skyrocket your success.
Ready to jump on the latest social media trends? We support B2B and B2C businesses in their quest to become trusted leaders. Set up a complimentary 30-minute Social Strategy Call and put your true-blue stamp on the world.