Struggling to keep your social media channels active? We get it! Between managing the SM accounts of our clients, creating websites and running ad campaigns, we know how easy it is for your social accounts to slip down the priority list… but we also know how important it is to keep them alive and engaging!

Why SM Matters

Here are a few quick stats to light a fire under your bum if you’re currently neglecting your fans.

  • Last year, there were 3.5 billion active social media users worldwide – around 45% of the world’s population.
  • 11 new people start using social media every second.
  • Around 90% of Millennials, 77% of Generation X and 48% of Baby Boomers actively engage with social media.
  • Each person spends an average of 2 hours and 22 minutes on social networks and messaging.
  • 54% of social browsers use social media to research products.
  • 71% of consumers who’ve had a good social media service experience with a brand are likely to recommend it to others.

Which Platform/s Should You Be Focusing On?

One of the key reasons business owners give up on keeping their social media presence active is because they’re spread too thin. And with so many channels to choose from – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter, Tik Tok – it can be hard to know which platform is going to deliver the best results for your business.

Don’t try and be across everything. SM isn’t one size fits all, and what works for one business isn’t necessarily going to work for another.

Instead, think about your target consumer/ client and the platform they’re most engaged with. Also consider your offering. Are you B2B or B2C? Do you offer a service or a product? Is your product highly visual, or is a practical and functional?

While Facebook sends more website referral traffic than any other social media network, the platform no longer resonates with younger demographics and content has more of a news and entertainment focus. LinkedIn is geared towards professionals, but Kiwis tend to use sporadically. Instagram is perfect for strong visual brands and products, but requires a bigger commitment in terms of content given the fast-moving nature of its feed.

Don’t dilute your message. If you currently have business accounts on more than 3 social platforms, consider drilling down to the one or two platforms that are best suited to your business and target audience. Focusing your attention on one relevant and appropriate platform, and doing well, will deliver far greater results than trying to trying to reach everyone across everything.

70 Post Ideas

If coming up with content ideas makes social media marketing feel harder than it has to be, we’ve compiled a bunch of ideas you can use year-round!

  1. Take a snap at a client meeting
  2. Share your favourite resources
  3. Host a fans-only sale or offer
  4. Celebrate your business milestones (5 years in business, 20K likes on FB)
  5. Show you’re personable with a photo of your kids or pets
  6. Share FREE advice or hot tips relevant to your service or industry
  7. Post something that highlights your company culture
  8. Post a case study
  9. Share your favourite book
  10. Share user generated content like photos you’ve been sent
  11. Host a poll
  12. Share a joke or meme
  13. Ask, this or that?Have your fans weigh in with their preference on something big or small
  14. Share an Infographic
  15. Share a giveaway
  16. Talk about a charity you’ve partnered with or are donating to
  17. Share industry news
  18. Demonstrate how your products are made
  19. Host a Q & A with a guest
  20. Remind your audience that there are REAL people behind your brand with fun facts
  21. Showcase your city and local hangouts
  22. Make online customers feel more connected with a video walk-through of your premises
  23. Post a how-to or tutorial
  24. Tease or preview a new product/ service with a sneak peek
  25. Let customers know what your goal is for the next year
  26. Ask your customers how they found you
  27. Share a quote that inspires you
  28. Remind people what you sell and why
  29. Share a selfie!
  30. Post something on your bucket list
  31. Give a shout-out to a client, celebrating their success
  32. Ask a question
  33. Host a LIVE coaching session
  34. Share a shelfie!
  35. Give your fans a video product demonstration
  36. Share a funny or insight-seeking ‘fill in the blank’ and have your fans respond
  37. Host a #AMA (Ask Me Anything)
  38. GO LIVE – even just to say hi or give thanks!
  39. Answer your customers’ FAQs
  40. Reshare a throwback photo, highlighting your company history
  41. Post about an event you’re hosting or attending
  42. Promote your partners
  43. Take your customers behind the scenes with candid shots of your team
  44. Host a fancy-dress day at the office and share pics
  45. Share a little-known product feature or fact
  46. Share a Gif
  47. Make your fans lives better with a helpful hack or time/ money saving tip
  48. Share a personal story
  49. Holiday snaps! Show fans what you’re up to while you’re on a break
  50. Share a blog post
  51. Introduce new team members
  52. Share an article your audience will find useful
  53. Thank your fans!
  54. Share a video of someone USING your product
  55. Take a break (coffee, dinner, a walk in the park) and show your fans
  56. Remind people who you are and how you got started
  57. Let people know which common mistakes to avoid
  58. Share Before and After photos
  59. Highlight customer testimonials and reviews
  60. Check out Days of the Year and let your fans know how you’re celebrating
  61. Post a wacky office pic and ask your fans to caption it
  62. Create or share an unboxing video
  63. Recruit for new employees, expressions of interest, or collaborators
  64. Ask your fabs, would you rather…?
  65. Share your opinions/ insights on industry news
  66. Ask for a recommendation from your fans
  67. Give customers a glimpse of work in progress
  68. Recipes! Does one of your team members make a killer chocolate cake? Share a pic with their recipe for your fans
  69. Behind the scenes footage at events or photoshoots
  70. Give your fans a peak at client gifts before they’re sent out

When & How Often Should I Post?

Ahhh, the age-old question.

According to Sprout Social, the best time to post on Facebook is weekdays between 10am and 3pm, with Wednesdays (on average) getting the most engagement. The best times to post on Instagram are Wednesday at 11am and Friday from 10-11am. On both platforms, Sunday sees the least amount of engagement…

That being said – don’t get too hung up on the when. If you’re out and about and want to share a photo at 4pm on a Friday (maybe from the pub, not judgement here!) then go ahead and post that pic! If you’re planning your posts in advance and scheduling them for the month ahead, spread your posts out over the week and take note of the times YOUR fans are most engaged with your content.

How often you post really comes down to your product/ service, your target market, and the platform you’re using. A super visual homewares brand may find it useful posting 5 photos EVERY DAY to Instagram, while a service-based business may get the same kind of leverage sharing 3 photos, videos or tips to Facebook each week. Finding the right balance between keeping your brand front of mind and not annoying your fans with too much content (yes, that can ALSO be a thing) is the sweet spot.

If in doubt, get in touch with our team!