Social media: tips & tricks for a strong online presence
Over the past two decades, social media platforms have slowly made their way into our everyday lives. Most of us will commemorate the day Facebook became available to the general public online - this was back in 2006!
We were amazed by "The Social Network" and its ability to connect with anyone and share moments with people worldwide. Little did we know it would impact our social lives forever.
Today, countless social media platforms exist online, with new ones popping up regularly, each with unique features, strengths, weaknesses, possibilities, and opportunities.
These platforms offer the opportunity to create a social media presence - a unique way to show your face to the world, build your business online, or become a public figure. The options are endless as these platforms set the stage for an impactful social media presence.
Whether you’re a rookie or a pro-SM-boffin, our guide will give you priceless tips and tricks on using interactive online platforms to build a strong social media presence.
What Is a “social media presence”?
The nuisance is that most of "us" have no idea where to start or what to do with social media (SM). In contrast, "others" flourish effortlessly with social media marketing (SMM) and similar networking platform tools.
A social media presence is an online "stage" to show your face to the world and express your "brand personality" in byte-sized visuals and personalised messages.
Social media platforms are priceless tools that can help you reach new and existing customers, build a new brand, expand your business, or build an audience as an influencer. In today's digital age, having a strong social media presence is necessary, not just a luxury.
How can I create a strong social media presence?
There are several practical ways in which social media can help businesses and individuals succeed - the key ingredient is to show up. Showing up consistently and authentically is crucial, but only if you engage with your audience. The good news? Building a strong social media presence is easier than it sounds.
Whether you are familiar with all the platforms and know exactly how they work or a novice still trying to figure out how it works and what the fuss is all about, we’re sure you will find these helpful steps insightful.
Below, we break it down into “easily digestible bite-size chunks” under these 6 primary categories:
- Understanding the Social Media Terrain
- Crafting Effective Content
- Engage, Engage, Engage!
- Navigating the Algorithm Maze
- Embracing Trends and Innovations
- Analytics and Iteration
Understanding the Social Media Terrain
1. Know your audience - inside out!
Understanding your target audience is like having the key to the social media empire. Take the time to study your followers – their interests, demographics, and online behaviour. This insight will help you strategically navigate your content, ensuring you create content that resonates with your audience.
Top Trick: Use tools like quizzes to help better understand your and your audience’s “social media personality” type.
2. Optimise your profile
Your social media profile is your “digital first impression” - and first impressions last. Optimise it using a clear HD profile picture, concise, informative bio, honest brand description, and relevant links. This tip is a challenging feat, as nuances make it tricky. Be patient - having an adaptable media brand identity takes time to craft.
Top Trick: Building and maintaining a solid social media brand identity must be part of your strategy. Make it easy for new visitors to understand who you are and what you're about - this makes them more likely to follow you!
3. Choose the right platforms
Not all platforms are created equally. Many diverse SM platforms are online. Pick the SM "stage" that aligns with your goals and target audience. Instagram is for visually appealing content, Twitter is for quick updates, LinkedIn is for professional networking, and YouTube is for communicating your brand – each platform has unique strengths.
Top Trick: For maximum impact, include Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn in your strategy - they are six of the top 10 SM platforms globally.
4. It’s about quality, not quantity
Quality content is the foundation of any successful social media strategy. It's not about flooding your feed; it's about making an impact. Focus on delivering high-quality, engaging content. Make every piece count, whether it's a captivating image, an insightful post, or a witty meme.
Top Trick: “Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get.” - H. Jackson Brown Jr. The same applies to the quality of your social media content and posts - make an impact every chance you get by creating and posting high-quality SM content.
5. Tell your story authentically: be you!
People connect with stories. Share your journey, your struggles, your fears, and your successes. Authenticity builds trust with people, and trust builds a loyal following. Inject your personality into your posts to make your brand relatable. Be your authentic “you” - it’s easy to pick up if someone is faking it.
Top Trick: Be true to your beliefs and who you are and recall this epic quote when you tell your story online: “Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.” - H. Jackson Brown Jr (American Author).
6. Leverage visual appeal
Video is king in the world of social media. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube have made short-form videos extremely popular. Incorporating high-resolution video content into your strategy adds a dynamic element to your profile.
Top Trick: Images and videos rule the social media realm. Invest time and embrace content! Experiment with video content and ensure your visuals align with your brand identity.
7. Foster genuine connections
Building a strong social media presence isn't just about assembling followers; it's about creating a community. By responding to comments, answering DMS, and engaging with your audience's content (and posts), you make them feel part of something special.
Top Trick: Authenticity creates trust. Personalize interactions, respond to positive AND negative feedback, foster genuine connections, and avoid engagement overreach.
8. Consistency мatters
Consistency is key to success in the social media world. Create and stick to a posting schedule - it has to work for you. Avoid plugging out and going radio silent. Regular activity keeps your audience engaged and signals reliability.
Consistency is the secret behind keeping your audience engaged. From posting frequency to the overall aesthetic of your profile, maintaining a cohesive presence helps build brand recognition. A well-planned regular posting schedule you religiously stick to will let your audience eagerly anticipate your next content drop.
Top Trick: Turn fans into loyal customers! Invest the time to build relationships with your followers - here are 15 free tips that will effectively boost engagement, increase sales, and attract positive reviews.
9. Crack the algorithm code
Each social media platform operates on its own algorithm. Stay informed about changes and updates. Tailor your content strategy to play well with the algorithms, ensuring your posts reach a wider audience.
Top Trick: Understanding social media algorithms will help you grasp the rules, signals, and data that govern the platform - the code to how it operates.
9. Harness the power of hashtags
Hashtags are more than just trendy symbols. They're powerful tools to expand your reach. You can research relevant hashtags and incorporate them in your posts, enabling you to connect with a broader audience. Hashtags are your friends, but don't go overboard.
Overdoing it dilutes the value you offer - choose quality over quantity. Research and implement hashtags relevant to your niche and include them strategically.
Top Trick: Using hashtags related to your post helps contextualise your content. Using them effectively amplifies your reach, drives traffic to your profile, and boosts views, likes, and shares, making your content trendy and discoverable - another step closer to a powerful SM presence!
10. Stay informed and ahead of trends
Social media is ever-evolving, with new features and trends emerging regularly. Stay informed about platform updates, trending topics, and the latest features. Embracing these changes can give your profile a fresh and relevant vibe.
Top Trick: Social media is fast-paced, and trends come and go. Stay vigilant, hop on relevant trends and hot topics, and show your audience that you're in tune with what's happening globally and in local society - it will keep your followers coming back for more!
11. Embrace new platform features
Stay updated on new SM platform trends - especially regarding new features. Platforms regularly introduce new innovative ways to build your social media presence. Whether it's Instagram Reels, Twitter Spaces, or LinkedIn Stories, utilising new features can boost your profile's visibility.
Top Tip: The early bird catches the worm - be an early adopter of social media updates and new features. Knowing your marketing tool’s limitations and its capabilities is key to being able to use it effectively.
12. Analise, adapt, repeat
Review your social media analytics regularly. This will help you identify what's working and which areas need improvement. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram provide valuable insights into your audience's behaviour, helping you refine your strategy for optimal results.
Top Trick: Dive into content engagement metrics and analytics to understand what's working and what isn't. You can use the data to adapt your strategy. Social media is dynamic, and so should be your approach.
13. Collaborate with оthers
You can expand your reach by collaborating with other users in your niche. Whether it's a joint Instagram Live session, a guest blog post, or a collaborative video - cross-promotion introduces your profile to a new audience. Expand your reach, leverage the expertise of others, and exchange fresh ideas - It's a win-win for both parties involved.
Top Trick: By collaborating with others, you introduce your profile to a broader audience - choose creators whose values and direction align with yours.
Social media: Is it gold or ashes?
Social media is either precious gold or worthless ashes, depending on whose hands it's in. It can be gold if you know how to utilise it properly or dust if you need to learn what social media can do. For some, it's a worthless nuisance, a time waster, and an abstract concept - they struggle to grasp the idea and, being frustrated, discard it altogether.
Arguably, social media can be a considerable distraction and time-waster. Still, it's also a powerful tool that can expand your business, establish your brand, or make your voice heard on the interwebs.
The reality? Building a strong social media presence will take time and won't happen overnight- it's a journey, not a destination. By smartly utilising SM platforms, armed with these helpful tips and top tricks, you'll be on a path of growth and influence - ready to WOW the world with your unique "you."
Remember, to thrive online, you must stay authentic, be consistent, and engage personally. Happy posting!
Article by Polly
CasinoWow Contributor
Hey guys, my name is Polina but my friends and colleagues call me Polly. I am truly passionate about online casino gaming and exploring the different online gambling experiences. I'm really into diving deep into topics and researching all the details. My aim is to gather the best information and write interesting articles for all the readers at CasinoWow.