Social media is a great leveler. It’s a space where ma-and-pa stores can rub shoulders with internationally recognized brands and engage directly with potential customers.
It’s probably no surprise then that an established social media presence is becoming a key part of the decision-making process for customers. According to Social Media Examiner, 63% of consumers are more likely to choose brands with professionally curated social media accounts.
The problem is that while it’s easier than ever to speak to your customers, it’s harder than ever to make yourself heard. So, how can you make sure that your messages don’t get lost in the crowd?
If you’re looking for a way to up your social media game, you’re in the right place. Use these simple steps to take your social media efforts to the next level and have your brand voice heard.
A Beginner’s Guide To Tagging
Putting your social media out into the world can sometimes feel like screaming into a void, and all too often you can wind up sending out well-crafted Tweets captions and Instagram posts only to find that no one engages with them.
If this is happening to you, chances are that you aren’t using tags on social media properly. Tagging is the key to effectively connecting your content to online audiences. From hashtags (#) to mentions (@) via image tags and geo-targeting, tagging is the means by which you can help potential customers find and engage with your posts.
Use these tips to know exactly when, how and who to tag in your next social media post.
1) Know Your Audience
The most important first step companies can take with their social media is to get to know their target audience. There are a number of questions you should be asking yourself so that you can get into the mind of the user, including:
- Who do you want to connect with?
- Where is their attention?
- What do they care about?
- What will they search for online?
By knowing who you’re talking to, you’ll have a better idea of what tags to employ. It’s also useful for being able to curate content for your social media that will actually resonate with your audiences.
2) Use #Hashtags Effectively
Anyone who has used social media knows how important hashtags are. Still, most businesses don’t know how to use hashtags effectively to get noticed.
One of the most common mistakes businesses make is using “snoozy hashtags”, or hashtags that are too obvious. Say you’re selling watches for men. Some of the common tags people may default to using are things like #watch #time #men–but these won’t get you very far. Using generic hashtags on a product that operates within a highly competitive space is a surefire way to blend in with everyone else.
In order to stand out, sometimes a bit of lateral thinking is all that you need. Consider what audiences you are trying to get in front of and then use hashtags that are relevant to them. For example, #jamesbond, #armani, #bmw, #mensstyle, #iwatch and #lateforwork are creative hashtags to use when selling watches. You’ll be sure to get in front of an audience that resonates with the problem your product is attempting to solve.
If your creative juices are stuck in first gear, shift into overdrive with the most popular tool on the planet for trending hashtags and analytical data.
Tip: Make sure to tag people who you think will relate to the hashtags you choose to use!
3) Location, Location, Location!
Geo-tagging is a great way to connect with consumers who are located in and around where your products are sold–regardless of whether you operate a brick-and-mortar store or an online business.
For brick-and-mortar stores, geo-tagging is a handy way to target people near your location and direct them to your address. Online businesses can use geo-tagging similarly to target specific groups of people you think would benefit from your product based on their location.
For example, let’s say your online business sells cool hats. You could get creative by geo-tagging the location of an upcoming music festival where people are going to need one of the aforementioned cool hats. An initiative like this would be especially effective at an event like the Pacific Polo Cup where hats called fascinators are a must.
4) A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that’s true, tags must be like War and Peace by comparison.
There are a plethora of creative ways to leverage tagging that you may not have even considered. To start, tag thought leaders and influencers in your posts. If they respond, you now have the perfect opportunity to piggyback on those influencers’ audiences–or to connect with them on a potential collaboration.
Or, if you’re looking to get reviews of your product, why not tag accounts that do reviews of products similar to what you are selling? It will increase the likelihood of achieving your goals by putting your products in front of people known to be responsive.
Tagging companies or people that have complementary brands, products, or topics is another great trick to raise awareness. It could even land you a repost.
Final Thoughts
Building connections is the key to success on social media and tagging is one of the best tools that businesses have available to them to achieve that.
Remember, not all of the content on your social feed has to be your own. In fact, conventional wisdom tells us that it shouldn’t be. Using tagging to promote other relevant brands, articles, and photos from your followers is a great tactic to show people that you have your finger on the pulse of what’s trending in your industry, which will ultimately strengthen your own brand credibility.
Hopefully, this has given you a few ideas on how tagging can help you elevate your social media game. Our social media experts have proven success in helping brands stand out from the crowd. If you need a bit of help, get in touch on our connect page and we would be happy to have a call with you.
