Algorithm, what a terrible sounding word that no one really truly understands when it comes to social media. If you're not a social media addict or guru and you're not really sure what I am referring to when I say the "social media algorithm," I will fill you in.
Over the last several years, social media(s) have created this algorithm for their platforms to help with engagement, what they think you want to see based on what you like and share etc.
"Social media algorithms are a way of sorting posts in a users' feed based on relevancy instead of publish time. Social networks prioritize which content a user sees in their feed first by the likelihood that they'll actually want to see it."
Make sense now? Basically now influencers, businesses, and others who regularly use social media as a way to sell or reach their audience have to work with said algorithm to find the best route to reach their current and potential customers. And since so many people today use social media to get their news, shop, take recs from influencers, discover more and learn, it becomes IMPERATIVE for businesses to strike while the iron is hot and find their, what I like to call, "formula" for social media. Everyone's is different and here are 10 hot tips to making your account engagement and page(s) better!
Post regularly ~ no one likes to be bombarded by post after post after post, and yes this could lead to some people unfollowing you. But you want to maintain an active account. You don't want to ghost your audience and go MIA for several days. I recommend once a day is best for posting a picture. Stories are different, I feel you can post all the time, as many as you want.
Mix it up ~ try videos, stories, go live, maybe make a music video? LOL I don't know what your business is but the sky is the limit so let those creative juices flow!
Study and utilize targeted hashtags (#) ~ hashtags are a super easy way to connect content to a specific topic, event, theme or convo. Hashtags aggregate all social media content with that same hashtag so millions of people can see your photo if you've discovered the right hashtag for what you're talking about. NOTE: just because you have 30 hashtags (max amount) on your post does not make it better than having 5 hashtags. You could get the same results. Repeat after me: Less is more! Do your research and your results will come through.
Share user-generated content ~ SUPER EASY & fun! One of my favorite things to do! I spend time looking through other user's accounts (not brands, or businesses, real users) and finding images or videos I like and share them. REMEMBER: ALWAYS credit the account you share from. It is imperative to give credit for user's work, photo, post etc. This is a great way to get followers and connect with other users or your own followers.
Collaboration is key ~ When you collaborate with other influencers you manage to meet and get connected not only with said influencer or business, but also their audience and followers! Which is a great way of getting your name out there!
Post at YOUR best times ~ This can be a tricky thing to calculate if you don't use a software or platform (ie: sprouts social, hootsuit, etc) to track your posts for the best times and most popular engagement. It is possible, you can research yourself and see that weekdays at lunch are best and weekend evenings are too. Each social media platform is different and so is each business' time. Like I said before, its the FORMULA!
Understand YOUR analytics ~ This is also one of the most important things when managing your social media. This goes in hand with #6. You MUST, I repeat, you MUST... KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE! If you know your target audience, you will be able to understand your analytics. This is a topic in itself, which I will have to touch on in another blog post, but for now, take note of this and perhaps look in to it yourself.
Engage, engage, engage ~ Just because you post a picture and you get likes does not mean you are engaging with your followers. If they comment, comment back! Open the floor for conversation. Make polls on your instagram stories, share info about yourself and see if anyone that follows you can relate. Social media is all about making connections and even more so getting your audience to trust you. Create a bond between you and your audience and your engagement will soar!
More engagement ~ Similar to #5 and collaborating, you should also reach out to accounts that are SIMILAR to yours and what you are selling, promoting, advertising. When you connect with similar accounts in your niche, you will be amazed at all the doors that open for you.
Contests & giveaways - #5 & #9 Go hand in hand with this. Hosting a contest or giveaway can be a great way to gain a ton of followers. Like collaborating and finding other "niche" accounts, this is a baller way to gain traction on your social media. Make rules up for your audience to follow (ie: To enter, comment 2 friends, and follow all 3 accounts hosting the giveaway.) Super easy, fun, and a great way to meet people!
Well those are my 10 tips to grow your social media pages and root around the nasty ol'algorithm. I will be back again with more tips, tricks and strategies that I have learned in my several years of doing social media on a personal and professional level. If you have any questions or comments please write them below, reach out to me or even send me a letter, lol. I am always available to help out anyone struggling with social media.