Social media marketing is vital to growing your business and standing out. It’s not enough to just post pretty pictures on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, though. 

You need a strategic approach that combines compelling visuals (including photos and video) with genuine connection and consistent engagement.

If you need help showing up consistently on social media, this post is for you. Let’s discuss some of the most effective strategies to connect with your audience and achieve your goals.  

How to Stand Out on Social Media

Ads have been integrated into every media form constantly bombarding viewers.

I am sure you have noticed how easy it is to tune the majority of these ads out and not even notice what’s being promoted. 

However, the key is to differentiate yourself from your competitors is by using your authentic voice and a unique branding strategy.

The ads or social content that don’t feel like a chore to watch are the ones that generate engagement on your social media platforms by capturing your audience’s attention and converting more leads.

In addition to being authentic and genuine, it’s also critical that you are consistent.

Consistently posting entertaining, inspiring or educational posts builds trust with your audience. Plus, the algorithm is more likely to boost an account that is continuously sharing!  

Posting once every couple of weeks makes your content less likely to be picked up by the algorithms and suggested to potential customers . Even if you publish high-quality, valuable content, a lack of consistency could prevent people from seeing and engaging with it.

The more someone interacts with your posts, the more likely they are to see your future posts.

Have you ever…

Spent a lot of time creating content without seeing any results (such as new followers or customers)?

Not had enough time to post because you’re focused on actually running your business?

Not posted or just posted sporadically because you feel lost on what to post and how to connect with your audience?

If any of these obstacles sound familiar to you, don’t worry.

We’re sharing some valuable and practical tips that can help you be more authentic online, increase your posting consistency (without letting other aspects of your business suffer), and deliver the images and messages your audience genuinely want to hear.  

First, let’s talk about why authenticity matters on social media.

What do you look for when considering working with a marketing team, whether it’s a product photographer in Mobile, Alabama, or a website developer in Pensacola, Florida?

Many look for trustworthiness, competence, and honesty.

Your customers are no different.

They want to connect with brands they can trust.

Authenticity builds that trust.

It allows people to get to know you, your values, and your brand on a deeper level, fostering loyalty and driving sales. This is especially true in short-form video, where authenticity shines through in a more immediate and relatable way.

So…how do you actually show up authentically on social media?

What does it mean to be authentic on social media?

How does authenticity look on apps like Instagram or TikTok?

Here are some suggestions for how you can be more authentic in your social media content: 

Be transparent about your business.

Post videos and photos to show people what goes on behind the scenes, how you make your products, what you look for in ingredients or materials, etc.

Share valuable information.

Provide practical tips and suggestions to show your audience that you legitimately want to add value to their lives with whatever service or good you are offering.

Focus on service over sales.

Most of your content (about 70% is a good starting point) should be centered around informing, helping, and supporting your followers. The remaining 30% can be more sales-centric.

Engage with your followers.

When someone leaves a comment, don’t just “like” it and move on. Respond thoughtfully and get to know the person who has taken the time to engage with you.

Next, let’s talk about why showing up daily on social media is worth it?

It can be easy to let social media fall by the wayside, especially when other areas of your business simultaneously call for your attention.

However, consistency — ideally showing up daily — on social media is the key to building an engaged audience.

A lack of consistency will hinder your ability to get picked up by the all-important algorithms and show up in front of your target clients/customers. It also makes it harder for you to build brand awareness and stay relevant in your followers’ eyes.

Remember, people see tons of content every day. If they don’t see your content often, they’ll be likely to forget about what you are offering and spend their money with competitors who they are seeing more often.

How to Stay Consistent with Posting on Social Media

Reels, TikToks, and other short-form videos are dominating social media.

They offer a highly engaging way to connect with your audience, showcase your brand personality, and reach new potential customers.

They are easily digestible, shareable, and have a high potential for virality.  

But they can be time consuming making it hard to stay consistent, especially when you’re wondering how to make time for consistent social media posting when you have a million other tasks on your plate.

Here’s how we help our clients stay consistent that you can implement in your business:

Create a content calendar. Plan your content for the next month in advance so you know what you’re sharing and when.

Pre-make content: Try setting aside certain days of the month to take/edit photos, film/edit videos, and write captions in batches. This will help you stay organized, create a cohesive page, and take the stress away from posting.

Dedicate time to engagement: Do not discount interacting with followers! Set aside time to engage with your social media followers daily. Use this time to respond to comments and direct messages, and share posts from people who have tagged your brand, etc.

Stop striving for perfection: Waiting for the ‘perfect’ idea to comes long is what is hindering your ability to connect. Allow yourself to be human (especially on your social media stories or live streams) – you might even find that you get more positive attention when you are relaxed and conversational.

Bonus Short Form Video Tips:

• Keep it Short and Sweet: Attention spans are short. Aim for videos under 60 seconds, ideally closer to 15-30 seconds.
• Grab Attention Quickly: The first few seconds are crucial. Use eye-catching visuals, engaging music, and compelling text overlays.
• Tell a Story: Even short videos should have a narrative arc. Engage your viewers with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Use Trending Audio and Hashtags: This increases your discoverability and helps you reach a wider audience.
• Show Your Personality: Let your brand’s personality shine through. Be authentic, be creative, and have fun!
• Include a Call to Action: Tell viewers what you want them to do (visit your website, follow your page, etc.).

Do You Need Help Creating Authentic Social Media Content For Your Business?

Are you ready to level up your social media strategy with authentic content and consistent sharing? If so, The Social Club is here to help.

The Social Club is led by the Focus Creative team in Fairhope, Alabama (and serves the Birmingha, Pensacola, Mobile Bay, and Gulf Coast areas).

This membership provides a strategic social media plan, monthly review & planning sessions, Instagram grid creation, video editing, social media caption prompts and custom library of quality images and video each month that you will be proud and eager to share.

Another way to think of it is that it’s the opposite of a social media agency. We create the content & the plan plus give you caption prompts. You hop in your account 30 minutes each month and write your captions.

Instead of an 20+ hours a month creating content, you can spend 3 hours each month and have a strategic plan that helps you connect with your ideal customer.