I am really big into setting goals, and when it comes to my blog a large part of that includes social media. I don’t really follow the “rules” when it comes to what bloggers are told we “should” do. However, what I am doing does work for me, so I thought I would share a few suggestions to help you rock social media.
1. Be Authentic: I am not saying that you have to post a makeup-free selfie every day or show your messy kitchen. But I do like to feel like I am getting to know you through your social media. If every picture is perfectly staged, using the same filter and the same pose… it makes me feel like you don’t want people to REALLY know who you are. Now for some bloggers, especially fashion and beauty blogs, perfectly curated pictures are a necessity. I can definitely appreciate the work they put into creating those shots, and they are beautiful. But, I would like to see a few candid posts thrown in, for fun. 😉 I know my Instagram doesn’t look how it is “supposed” to look, but it is ME.
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| A glimpse of the crazy cluster I call my Instagram feed! |
2. Be Social: If people tweet you or comment on your Facebook post… write them back! The whole reason for social media is to BE SOCIAL! I know tons of people on twitter who never interact and it is so annoying. Talk to the people who are following you, ask questions, get opinions. It’s all part of the fun.
3. Share Other People’s Content: This is another pet peeve of mine. People who ONLY tweet and FB their own stuff. I get it, we have social media to promote our blogs or businesses… but when that is ALL that you are pimping, it gets a little boring. (no offense) If you read or see something that you really like from one of your favorite bloggers, share it! It is the ultimate compliment and also a great way to grow your own following.
4. Look for What is Trending: A lot of people have jumped on the social media scheduling bandwagon. Which is fine, but please don’t schedule everything. First of all, people can totally tell. Also, you are missing a great opportunity to get more followers. By sharing a topic that is popular or trending you have a greater chance of it being seen, especially on Facebook. It also makes you look current, and people like following people who can give them relevant information. For example, yesterday I shared the sad news about Celine Dion’s husband. In less than hour, it had 12 shares and a reach of nearly 3k. This morning, the reach for that single post was 14, 618. (I hate using this story as an example, but it just proves that if everyone is talking about something on Facebook, more people will see your post)
Another quick Facebook tip, if you aren’t sure what to share, you can cheat & use FB’s sidebar! There is a “what’s trending” section… FB likes when you share stuff from there to your page.
5. Use Good Pictures: Now your pictures don’t have to be perfect (see #1), however they should at least be clear and in focus. I have found that the Instagram pictures that do best for me are bright and sharp. I have really been loving my LuMee phone case for this reason. I first saw this on the Kardashians (don’t judge) and now I am obsessed with it. It is a case that actually has a light around it, so when you are taking selfies (or a video) you have a light on hand anytime. It is amazing. It has a button on the back, which not only turns it off and on, but also works as a dimmer to make the light the perfect brightness. (I have also been using it during my Periscopes, and it works fantastically as a fill light.. no matter where I am scoping from!)
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| I am obsessed with my LuMee! |
I love how it is still slim, but it does make my phone feel a bit more substantial and definitely protected. It is rechargeable and does not use any power from my phone to work. The company sent me one for free, but I would totally buy it again if it ever broke.
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| All fancy and lit up! |
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| Dim room, no LuMee |
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| LuMee (dim) LuMee (bright) |
Another quick and simple tip for improving the quality of your pictures is right on the Instagram photo bar. Just up the brightness and sharpness of your photo to give it an extra punch. Also, Instagram is owned by Facebook, so you should always share your IG posts to your Facebook page. You can edit the Facebook version once you post it. I always get really good engagement when I do that, no matter what the picture is.(make sure your IG is sharing to your blog’s Facebook page, not your personal account!)
6. Be Consistent: This is really important. I find that when I post at least daily on Instagram I get a ton more followers. When it comes to Facebook, your reach will begin to improve if you post on a consistent basis. I post about 30-35 times a week on Facebook, which means I average about 4-5 posts a day.
7. Set Goals: This used to work really well for me, but near the end of the year I stopped setting goals and it showed. Now I am back. Each month, I set a goal for my social media accounts. It may be to post a certain number of times each week or just to set a goal for new followers. That gives you something to focus on and work toward.
Since this post is all about social media it would be super counterproductive not to mention that you should follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Periscope. (I am also on Snapchat now, but I have no clue what the heck I am doing) What tips & tricks work best for you when it comes to social media?
Disclaimer: LuMee sent me a light up case for free but that has nothing to do with the fact that is the most awesome case ever.
GREAT tips! Especially about Twitter! yes be social, and don't just self promote. I need that light btw….
I love my Lumee light! 🙂
I need that phone case!!! This is a great post lady:) awesome tips!
Thank you!! 🙂 The case is amazing!
These tips are great!! It drives me crazy when people don't interact on Twitter. They just post their links over and over. The LuMee looks amazing!! Wow! What a game changer!
Right… and I also hate when people dont time stuff right and send out 20 tweets in 30 seconds! ha!
I've never seen that case, but I want one! Why have I never seen this before?
I stalked the company after seeing it on the Kardashians!
such good tips… i really am so bad at social media. i think it's because i like to be social in real life so much! and that case… niiiiiiiiice!!!!!
I for sure prefer real life over social.. but social media is so much!
These tips are SO on point! Social media on fleek LOL… totally lost on Snapchat, too. My age is showing.
Thank you! haha I don't think I have ever been on fleek before!
Why don't I have one of those cases? Love it!!! Need it!!! Thanks for the code and fab tips! I'm truly FB challenged ? so I can't wait to try all of these!
I really think the biggest thing with FB is being consistent!!
This is great motivation! I love blogging and I love Instagram but I'm having trouble getting into Twitter (and I can't even handle Facebook anymore…especially during election season). I've been trying to get better about Twitter because it really is a great way to interact with people, it's just hard to get followers, especially when you're just starting out. Thanks for the tips!! Have a great weekend!
Xo, Mollie @ http://www.sweetsonpoint.com
Twitter is really important with brands still.. so it is worth investing time into. 😉
Great tips for every blogger! And this phone case – I had no idea such thing even existed! To tell you the truth – I tried snapchat and decided it's not for me, I'm either too old or too introverted 😀
I havent used it once. I log in and I am so confused every time! ha!
Love your tips here! This year we are stepping up our social media game!
Yes! it is really important… brands care more about my social media stats than my pageviews!
These are fantastic tips, and great reminders – especially for those of us who want to step up our game in 2016! Thanks so much for this wonderful, inspirational post.
I am glad you enjoyed it! 😉
Such great tips! I really need to be more consistent and remember to reply to tweets too. That phone case is awesome! I'm going to see if they have one that fits my phone. Thanks! Ps. I love real pictures on Instagram!
Me too.. I am old school instagram I guess! 😉
These are really great tips! I think consistency and sharing other's posts really helps! What goes around comes around, right? 🙂
Right.. and you are bringing your audience content that there's a good chance they are already interested in.. double bonus!
These are great tips! Taking your advice and sharing right now. Thanks!
haha thank you! 😉
I definitely need to work on being better at #2. I check updates on my phone and tell myself that I will go back and comment back, but then I forget. This is a great list!
Yes I think being interactive is what makes twitter so much fun! 🙂
Ohhh… I love all of these. I'm going to start setting goals. That's great.
Yes the goal setting really helps! I noticed a difference in my growth once I stopped
Thanks for these, especially #1! Honestly it drives me crazy when I see people talk about how your instagram should have a "color theme" and only post these crazy staged unrealistic pictures. I want to see good photos of course, but they should be reflective of you and not just some weird color scheme you're going for.
right! I mean it would feel like having a whole other blog! I just read one post where the woman admitted to planning out her instagram pictures for the weeks and doing instagram photo shoots! say WHAT! ha!
Oh wow! Excellent tips..I need to get on the ball!!
I think you do great on social media! 🙂
I had no idea you could post from Instagram to your Facebook page! Just changed my settings! Great tips! Thanks!
YES! and you will get much better interaction that way!
I am loving that case even though I'm not a selfie taker! Soooo stinkin' cute!!!
They work for family selfies too! 😉
These tips are so helpful. Thank you a million times for sharing! Happy weekend 🙂
http://Www.Thesparklingdarling.com
I am glad they helped, Heidi! 🙂 Thanks for stopping over!
I needed this!
Definitely never thought to share from FB.
I will definitely have to try that.
xoxo, Jenny
Yes it really helps with reach.. esp when the item is already trending 🙂
You nailed it with this one. I don't schedule anything at all because it just takes me too long. Instead, I am for 5 minutes per social media platform ever few hours. It works and it gives me a chance to to check in with stuff
I think that is the best way to do it! Thanks for stopping over and I hope you are having a great week!
These are great tips! I'm really working at being more interactive this year in order to grow in a more organic way! – Katy
I really think that being authentic and interactive is the way to go. 😉 Responding to people makes a big difference.
These are really good tips. I try my best to alternate my tweets between my own content and others but I need to do this more on Facebook. I also am trying to have more engaged and variety of Instagram pics.
I LOVE that phone case and want one! I always forget about the FB sidebar & trending topics! Great tips! 🙂
Great tips! I will have to keep some of these in mind! That phone case is pretty awesome, too!
http://www.HometownQueenBee.blogspot.com
These tips are FANTASTIC! I need that phone case. It makes such a difference on the pictures! Also, I love your Instagram. I'm definitely bookmarking this and working on upping my game. Thanks, Magic!
I totally agree, your tips are spot on! Very good post!
These are great tips! Does that cell phone case have one for the Samsung? Because I'm ALL over it if they do! Nothing drives me more nuts than crappy lighting haha!
Awesome tips for rocking social media. Being authentic is number one on my list.
Great tips! I love the idea of using the FB sidebar–had never thought of that! And I just got a Lumee, too! Haven;t used it yet, but plan to soon…
I love all your tips. I need that Lumee top brighten my photos
Great tips! I've been focusing a lot on my social accounts this year. I really need to up my Instagram game because I made it a year ago and just started to really utilize it. Twitter, too. I'll definitely use your tips!
i need to work on sharing more. i do a little, but i need to do a lot more!
Oh wow! These are FABULOUS tips Lauren!
I'm good with interaction and regular sharing but I had no idea about that Facebook trending tip – GENIOUS! Definitely going to be trying that.
I think consistency is important too. When you're sharing 3 posts a day but drop down to once a week, that will have a terrible impact on your following.
Thanks for sharing! Pinning this to my Deliberate BLOGGING board.
xoxo
Super good advice! It's good to share what is trending.. so your content will come up more quickly! Great tip!
Oh my goodness, I want one of these. I love all your tips, and love you on social media, because, well OBVIOUSLY. But, I want this case!!!!!
These are really awesome tips Lauren! Wow – you nailed everything on the head. Good reminders for me in a couple of things!
These are great tips! Improving my social media skills is one of my goals this year.