5 Tips for New Businesses to Create Engaging Social Media Content

Social Media, these days have become the go-to platform for small businesses to market their products or services. Did you know that over 4 billion people are using social media worldwide?

That's right, your potential audience is massive!

The best part is, the platform is free, unlike traditional marketing channels. You can experiment with your content and engage with your audience and analyse what’s working before moving on to other channels. Anyone can create an account in seconds and start posting content to market their business online.

However, not everyone who owns a social media account knows how to use it effectively. In fact, over half the businesses struggle to generate leads and sales because they don't understand the ABCs of marketing.

But fear not, I’ve got some tips and tricks that are going to help you in creating compelling content that will keep your audience engaged and excited about your brand. From increasing website traffic to boosting sales, social media can do it all.

So, are you ready to play the social media game right?

Know your Audience

Some businesses want awareness.

Some want engagement.

And some simply want leads and sales.

No matter what your business goals are, understanding who you're serving is key. Only when you truly know your audience, you'll be able to get inside their heads and understand their deepest desires and concerns. And let's be real, that's where the magic happens!

So, how do you get to know your audience? It's all about creating a persona( or buyer's persona in marketing terms) that will help you figure out who you’re targeting. You can start by asking the following questions.

What are the demographics of your ideal persona?

What are their interests and preferences?

What are their habits?

What are their challenges?

By creating a set of ideal personas for your business, you'll have a clear picture of the problems your customers are facing. This will help you create content that educates and solves those problems.

The point is to create content that provides real value to your audience. If you can do that, they'll keep coming back for more. So, get to know your audience, create those personas, and start providing real value.

K.I.S.S

One of the first lessons I learned as a copywriter was "Keep it simple stupid". And let me tell you, that principle applies to any kind of content creation these days.

With so many forms of entertainment and information vying for attention, people have shorter attention spans and less time to spare. If your content doesn't grab their attention in the first few seconds, they'll likely skip it and move on.

That's why it's crucial to keep things short, sweet, and to the point. Short-form content is on the rise for a reason. By focusing on creating bite-sized pieces of high-value content, you'll be able to capture your audience's attention and keep them engaged.

So, don't overcomplicate things. Keep it simple, keep it short, and keep it valuable. Your audience will thank you for it!

Use Appealing Visuals

Do you know why visuals are so important when it comes to creating engaging content? It's no surprise that videos and other forms of media are some of the most captivating and shareable types of content out there.

If you want to connect with your audience and make your content more visually appealing, it's not enough to just focus on delivering value. You also need to start incorporating high-quality media like images, videos, audio, GIFs, and graphics into your content.'

Don't let anyone tell you that the "look" of your content doesn't matter as long as you deliver value. I beg to differ. Just take a look at some of the biggest industry influencers out there.

I’m not talking about expensive photoshoots, but if you observe clearly, these big brands always put a lot of effort into creating a consistent brand image that clearly communicates their message.

So, if you want to stand out and engage your audience, start incorporating visuals into your content. Trust me, it'll make a world of difference!

Be More Human

I've seen a lot of people treat their social media accounts like a photo gallery, posting content when they feel like it and expecting their followers to shower likes and comments, without putting in the effort to engage with them in return.

But the truth is, the whole point of social media is to connect with people and draw them to your brand and your offer. And note that it's not the brand that draws people in, it's the person behind the brand.

If you want to connect with other humans and build your brand, you need to be authentic and share real stories and experiences that will resonate with your audience. Storytelling is one of the most effective techniques for humanizing your brand and striking a chord with your audience.

But here's the thing - don't treat social media like a one-way street. Use all the formats and mediums available to you to appear in front of your audience so you could actually spark new conversations. Ask questions, create interactive polls, encourage your audience to share their comments on your content, and don't forget to take the conversation to the DMs because that's where the real connections are made.

Keep up with Trends

Now, we have to talk about how fast the social media landscape is changing these days.

What worked last year doesn’t work today.

No. Let me rephrase it.

What worked last month may not be working today, and that's a fact.

As someone who's actively posting on Instagram, I've been closely observing the massive algorithm changes they make. One day, reels have the highest reach, and the next day, carousels do. That's why it's crucial to have a mix of all formats of content at all times. But it's also important to stay up-to-date with what's working best for you and incorporate those formats more into your strategy.

Another way to stay on top of the game is by spying on your competitors' content and seeing what kind of content is working for them. You can try to incorporate those same techniques into your content and see how your audience responds. This will help you re-evaluate your content more often and make sure you're fully utilizing the platform.

To sum it up…

Creating engaging social media content is essential for new businesses to connect with their target audience and establish their brand. By following the tips mentioned above, such as focusing on the buyer's persona, utilizing various media formats, and keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and algorithms, businesses can create content that truly resonates with their audience.

However, it's important to note that each business is unique, and there's always more to learn and explore in the realm of social media. With the right strategy and guidance, businesses can create content that feels effortless and drives real results. So, keep experimenting, keep creating, and keep engaging with your audience to build a strong social media presence for your brand.

Honestly, there is so much more to creating social media content and this is only the tip of the iceberg. I could go on and on about social media. I’ve had the pleasure of working with 5+ industries on their social media accounts and I can surely say that each business is different. Each brand has its own challenges and by asking the right questions, I’ve helped businesses get clarity on their goals and create strategies that make their content creation feel like a piece of cake.

Is that something you are looking for? Let’s talk!

About the Author

Hey, I'm Niveditha. I'm a copywriter and content marketer helping small business owners and entrepreneurs just like you scale up through carefully created content strategies, automation and stellar copy that not only attracts but converts. Check out my free guide with 100 prompts on creating endless ideas for all your content needs.

Book a call with me!