Want to make the most of your social media platforms – specifically Facebook and Instagram? Here are seven marketing strategies you can start implementing today that will encourage your followers to engage, buy, and return.

7 Easy Social Media Marketing Tips You Can Start Right Now

1. Show Your Personality.

One social media marketing mistake many companies make is being too professional. On social media, people expect you to be a little more open and personable. Beautiful images and videos catch eyes, but don’t be afraid to pair them with real and meaningful engagement:

• Incorporate some unedited videos
• Ask questions and comment back
• Let them into your world with behind-the-scenes photos

If you post perfect product images every single day, your followers will lose interest. But if you provide media and content that shows what you’re up to, invites participation, and includes your followers, you bring them into your story.

Relatable, engaging posts build trust and show people that you genuinely care, which translates into stronger brand buy-in. Social media is a great place to turn one-time buyers into loyal customers.

2. Make Your Feed “Pop.”

Change up your feed with some of these high-performing types of posts:

• Stories
• “Tempting” photos
• Multi-image posts
• Stop-motion clips
• Time-lapse videos
• Photos with real people
• Inspirational images
• Behind-the-scenes photos
• Influencer or real-customer photos/ videos

If you use a product image by itself, pair it with some helpful information about the product, or use product images for giveaways or contests.

3. Make Your Brand Recognizable.

Use a consistent brand color scheme for a cohesive look. When someone views your Instagram thumbnails, they should see a pattern. Check out these visually-appealing Instagram pages with consistent themes:

• Nike – lots of real-life athletes, plus their classic black and white brand colors
• Glossier – real faces plus their pink, white, and red brand colors
• So Delicious – lots of tasty looking food creations made with their products

Make sure each post and photo is on-brand. I can help with that – check out my most recent projects here!

4. Utilize the Links in Your Bio

Make sure each post includes a “call to action.” Whether you want them to buy a product, check out your collection, “click the link in bio,” or simply comment on the post, encourage your followers to take action and engage! Use your posts to guide them into the next step with you.

5. Make Your Posts “Shoppable,” and add product tags

The truth is, we’re all a little lazy when it comes to social media. Most of us use social media scrolling as a mindless brain break, so if someone sees something they like but don’t know where to find it or how to buy, they’ll just keep on moving. Take advantage of our impulsive human nature and make it easy for them. For instance, if you sell a beauty product, post a picture or video of someone using the products, then add shoppable tags so viewers can simply click to buy.

Here’s Facebook’s guide to making shoppable Instagram and Facebook posts: https://www.facebook.com/business/instagram/shopping/guide

Or, I also really like this simplified step-by-step version from a social-media-savvy jewelry vendor: https://blog.stuller.com/shoppable-instagram-and-facebook-posts/

6. Take Advantage of Hashtags

Hashtags aren’t just cute – they serve a vital archiving purpose. Before you add your hashtags, do a little research to see which ones get the most searches and engagement. People searching those hashtags will be more likely to see your post. For example, #veganrecipes has 6.5 million posts! A vegan food brand would definitely want to use that tag to get more eyes – and potentially more clicks.

#Delicious #VeganRecipes #VeganBrands #VeganIceCream

7. Offer Tips, Tools, Samples, or Giveaways

And finally, the best way to market on social media is to show your followers what’s in it for them. They need something in return. But you don’t have to give away your products. Recipes, resources, tools, and info all keep your followers engaged, too! They’ll continue to return if you provide something of value to them.

 

Lindsay is a Los Angeles-based food, product, and commercial photographer. She specializes in Still Product & Food Photography, Lifestyle & Portrait Photography, Stop Motion, and Food Styling. Connect with her HERE for product marketing!