4 Keys to Stand Out on Social Media
In today’s competitive business landscape, having concrete brand guidelines is more important than ever. Consumers are faced with so many options, so why should prospective buyers choose you over the others? Your brand’s presence on social media can greatly influence your reach, engagement, and ultimately, your bottom line. Having a business Instagram account or posting here and there isn’t enough to make a lasting impression on your target audience. There is a necessary structure and strategy, and by following these four basic points, you can elevate your brand to a spot above the rest.
- Solidify your brand’s identity– Branding is the visual connection that will be associated with your product. You want your brand to be able to be picked out of a crowd!
Every post should have uniformity and clear, direct messaging to encourage customers in their decision making.
Think of the Nike logo– when you’re scrolling through your phone and see a checkmark, it’s immediately assumed to be associated with the Nike shoe, even if it’s not a Nike advertisement. Nike has established such a strong brand identity that, even if you see their logo in passing, people will know that Nike can be trusted to turn out a quality product.
Creating posts for the sake of posting can become chaotic and confusing. Intent is everything when it comes to solidifying brand guidelines and curating brand image. When you have a strong brand identity, your brand can stand alone and speak to why it is better than the competition. Social media is a great tool to aid in establishing this.
- Be consistent on social media – Once your brand guidelines are solidified, post regularly and consistently to maximize reach. Solid branding does not happen overnight, and you are not instantly credible because people can see your logo plastered everywhere. Creating a regular content calendar and posting schedule with meaningful content can help your brand develop a cadence and reach a greater number of eyes.
- Appear credible– We’ve talked about consumers trusting brands they recognize, but it’s also important to note the extra layer of reliability that comes with seeing the same branding across different platforms. If your branding is the same on Facebook as it is on Instagram as it is on your site, your target audience will trust you to make decisions for them, because they feel confident in your identity as a product.
- Streamline creativity– Now, just because you’ve cemented your brand identity does not mean that it is not able to evolve. Add all the bells and whistles you want, as long as that core identity remains the same. Solidifying your brand elements removes the guesswork that coincides with wanting to reach an audience– you know what works, so stick with it!
Solidifying your brand’s social media presence is as important as the product you’re creating, or the business you are looking to break into. You are injecting your voice and values into a product you can be proud of, so say it loud and clear. Every post should have clear and direct messaging to encourage customers in their decision making. Making posts for the sake of making posts can get chaotic and confusing. Intent is everything when it comes to solidifying brand guidelines. The foundations of well-laid brand guidelines have the power to turn a passive scroller into a loyal customer. Solidifying your brand guidelines will be your most valuable asset, and has the ability to propel you to long-term success.
“Always sending the warmest regards”
Brianna Hoomes is a PR Account Coordinator for Kafka Media Group, she is an experienced writer and dedicated to helping clients tell their story. Favorite Movie: Dead Poet’s Society.