In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, social media remains a reasonably priced set of tools that connect your brand with your audience, build awareness, and, if the stars align, drive business growth. In today's environment, simply having a presence on social platforms is not enough. To harness the potential of social media in a meaningful way, you first need to create an effective strategy and stay updated with the latest trends and best practices. Since Carnegie Agency is headquartered in the Lehigh Valley, we'll use that as the main location. Yours may differ. Here are 9 tasks to jumpstart your social media game and take your digital marketing efforts to the next level.
1. Use Local Hashtags:
Research and use popular local hashtags related to the Lehigh Valley. This can help increase the visibility of your content to the local community. Examples might include #LehighValley, #LVLocal, or #BethlehemPA. Additionally, always add a link in the text that leads back to your website to create navigation for visitors.
2. Collaborate with Local Influencers:
Identify and collaborate with local influencers or businesses in the Lehigh Valley. This can expand your reach within the region and provide an authentic touch to your content.
3. Feature Local Events and Landmarks:
Showcase your connection to the Lehigh Valley by featuring local events, landmarks, or community activities. This adds a personal touch to your content and demonstrates your engagement with the local culture.
4. Participate in Community Conversations:
Engage in conversations about local events, news, or topics relevant to the Lehigh Valley. This demonstrates your brand's awareness and involvement in the community. Remember, Social Media is more about giving back your time and talent than selling widgets. The reach is multiplied when you use non-owned social media groups that have a large participation in contrast with your own account.
5. Highlight Your Local Success Stories:
Share success stories of local individuals, businesses, or initiatives that had the opportunity to help deliver a positive outcome. This fosters a sense of community and reinforces positive associations with your brand.
6. Create Location-Specific Content:
Tailor your content to highlight the Lehigh Valley specifically. This includes showcasing your team in local settings, listing job promotions in the local media, featuring customer testimonials from the area, and incorporating local themes into your brand visuals.
7. Connect with Local Organizations:
Contact local organizations, chambers of commerce, or community groups. Identify causes within the Lehigh Valley that support your philanthropic nature. Share your involvement and encourage your audience to participate as well.
8. Attend Local Networking Events:
Participate in local networking events, conferences, or trade shows within the Lehigh Valley. This provides opportunities for in-person connections and gives you content to share on your social media platforms.
9. Local Testimonials and Reviews:
Encourage satisfied local customers to leave reviews or testimonials on your social media pages and share those testimonials on your website. Positive feedback from people in the Lehigh Valley builds trust and credibility with potential customers in the area and beyond.
Remember to adapt these suggestions based on your specific industry, target audience, and brand identity. By integrating local elements into your social media strategy and tactics, you strengthen your ties with the Lehigh Valley community and enhance the relevance of your content. These efforts and your involvement dictate the frequency and platform for the social media postings.
Here is a free one, that I did not include in the top 9 but needs to be mentioed. Monitor Analytics: Regularly review the results of your social media analytics to gain insights into what's working and what needs improvement. Track key metrics such as reach, engagement, and ultimately, conversion rates. Adjust your approach based on the information gathered.
Jumpstarting your social media game requires a combination of strategic planning, consistent effort, and adaptability. By implementing these nine tips, you'll be well on your way to creating a vibrant and impactful social media presence for your brand. Keep experimenting, analyzing, and refining your approach to stay ahead in the ever-changing world of digital marketing.
So there you have it. 10 tasks that are within your reach starting today. At Carnegie Agency, we are interested in working with other small businesses and offer suggestions and ideas to get started. Give us a call today