Social media marketing is the process of using online platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to build relationships and interact with potential and current customers. By engaging with customers on social media, businesses can build brand awareness, drive traffic to their website, and generate leads and sales.
Starting a social media marketing campaign can be daunting, but with a little planning and effort, it is achievable. Below are some tips on how to get started:
Define your goals – What do you want to achieve through social media marketing? Do you want to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, or generate leads? Once you have defined your goals, you can create content and strategies that align with those objectives.
Research your audience – Who are your potential customers? What platforms do they use? What content do they respond to? By understanding your audience, you can create content that appeals to them and better engage with them.
Create compelling content – Whether it’s blog posts, infographics, images or videos; make sure your content is interesting and engaging. If people enjoy what they see then they are more likely share it with others.
Promote your content – Once you have created great content, it’s time to spread the word about it.
Gillette’s ‘The Best Men Can Be’ Platform: YouTube
In January 2019, Gillette released a short film entitled “We Believe: The Best Men Can Be” as part of their new social campaign with the same name. The film garnered a great deal of attention and sparked a lot of debate online, with many people praising the company for taking a stand on social issues like toxic masculinity and gender equality. However, there were also many people who critiqued the ad, accusing Gillette of being condescending and out-of-touch.
Regardless of where you stand on the Gillette ad controversy, there’s no denying that it has had a big impact on social media marketing. In this article, we’ll take a look at how Gillette’s “The Best Men Can Be” platform has changed the landscape of social media marketing and what companies can learn from it.
When Gillette released their “The Best Men Can Be” campaign, they likely knew that it would be controversial. But what they probably didn’t expect was just how much attention it would generate – both positive and negative. The ad went viral almost immediately after it was released, with millions of people viewing it and then sharing their thoughts about it on social media.
This level of engagement is something that all companies hope for when they release new content online. After all, isn’t that what social media is all about – getting people to interact with your brand? However, while getting people to view and share your content is certainly important, it’s not the only metric that you should be focused on. In fact, in some cases – like Gillette’s – too much engagement can actually be detrimental to your brand image.
When an ad or piece of content generates too much negative attention online (as was the case with Gillette), it can reflect poorly on your company as a whole. This is why it’s so important to consider not just how many people will see your content but also how those people will react to it before you hit publish. If you’re confident that your target audience will respond positively to your message then by all means go ahead and release away! But if you’re worried about potential blowback then maybe reconsider whether or not sharing that particular piece is worth the risk.
“The best way to start social media marketing is to understand what your customers want and need from you.” ~ Jay Baer
Greggs’ #vegan sausage roll. Platform: Twitter
Greggs, the UK’s leading bakery chain, has just launched a vegan sausage roll! The new product is made with Quorn vegan sausages and is available in all 1,900 of their stores nationwide.
The launch comes as part of Greggs’ commitment to vegan-friendly options, following the success of their vegan steak bake. This latest addition to their menu is sure to be a hit with vegans and meat-eaters alike.
So why not give it a try? Head to your nearest Greggs and enjoy a delicious #vegan sausage roll today!
Spotify’s #year wrapped. Platform: Instagram Stories
Spotify’s #year wrapped is a great way to get started with social media marketing. The platform allows you to share your favorite moments from the year, and provides a way for people to connect with you and your music. By sharing your story, you can connect with new fans and followers, and build a community around your music.
Starbucks UK’s #WhatsYourName
Since its launch in 1971, Starbucks has been one of the most recognizable brands in the world. The coffee company has more than 28,000 locations in 76 countries, and its green and white logo is synonymous with coffee culture. In recent years, Starbucks has expanded beyond coffee into areas like food and digital media.
In October 2015, Starbucks launched a social media campaign called #WhatsYourName in the UK. The campaign was designed to encourage customers to share their name with baristas so that they could be properly greeted by name when they visited a store. The campaign was supported by a series of short video ads featuring celebrities like Simon Cowell and David Beckham sharing their own names and encouraging others to do the same.
The #WhatsYourName campaign was a success, generating significant social media buzz and driving positive customer engagement for Starbucks UK. The company saw an increase in new customer registrations on its website and mobile app, as well as an uptick in sales at its stores across the country. And perhaps most importantly, the campaign helped solidify Starbucks UK as a friendly and welcoming place for everyone.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to social media marketing. You can reach new heights and connect with more people than ever before.
Christine
Christine is a content and visual marketing specialist with more than 10 years of experience crafting content that engages and informs her audience. She has a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating beautiful visual displays that capture her audience's attention. Christine has worked with a variety of brands and businesses, helping them to communicate their message effectively and reach their target audience. She is a skilled writer and communicator, and a strategic thinker who is always looking for new and innovative ways to engage audiences.