Social media marketing has become one of the most popular ways to promote business, but it can be challenging to achieve measurable results when you’re operating on a small budget.
Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable tactics that can help you get attention on social media without breaking the bank!
Here are ten (10) tips that will help you get results on social media without spending a fortune.
1) Use hashtags
Use hashtags to increase the visibility of your content on social media. Use different phrases and hashtags in different posts to stay relevant and top-of-mind with your audience. For example, use #MondayMotivation in one post, #TuesdayThoughts in another, and #WednesdayWisdom in a third to keep your followers engaged.
Remember that Instagram is built around photos so use visual hashtags to make it easy for people to find what they are looking for.
2) Create viral content
You can't buy virality, but you can create it with a little forethought and planning. There are many ways to do this, but one of the most common is to leverage something that's already going viral by adding your own spin on it. For example, when Oreo released their You Can Still Dunk In The Dark tweet during the 2013 Super Bowl blackout, they faced the prospect of needing to come up with another big idea at a time when they were likely tapped out creatively.
They leveraged the incident by creating a picture of an Oreo with the caption You can still dunk in the dark. Another way to create viral content is to release exclusive content for subscribers. If done correctly, this could lead to more people signing up as well as getting higher engagement from current subscribers.
3) Partner with other brands or influencers
One way to get results on social media without a million dollar budget is to partner with other brands or influencers. You don't need a big team or deep pockets to make your voice heard on social media, but you do need to make sure you're targeting the right audience.
The beauty of this strategy is that it can be done in any niche and with any product. For example, if you have a pet food company looking for more exposure, partnering with an animal rescue organization might give them just what they're looking for.
If there's no relevant organization out there, try reaching out to another brand who could promote your cause - like the pet food company could reach out to Purina about how much their products help protect animals from malnutrition.
4) Collaborate with micro-influencers
Collaborating with micro-influencers is a great way to get results on social media without a million dollar budget. Micro-influencers typically have around ten thousand (10,000) followers and are eager to collaborate with brands that align with their niche.
By working with these influencers, you can promote your brand in their community and get quality content for a fraction of the cost.
The key is finding those individuals who would be interested in collaborating with your brand, but don't have many followers themselves.
5) Use user-generated content
The first step to getting results on social media is to create content that engages and entertains your followers.
However, you can also use user-generated content in your posts to improve the effectiveness of your campaign and get more likes, shares, and comments.
It’s easy to incorporate user-generated content into your social media strategy by searching for hashtags related to your niche and using them in posts. For example, if you are a pet boutique with locations in major U.S. cities such as New York City, Boston, Chicago and Miami, then using hashtags like #dogsofnyc or #dogsofboston could lead to new connections with dog owners who live near these cities.
6) Take advantage of live streaming
These days, people are more interested in watching a live stream than just passively reading text on a screen. Facebook Live and Snapchat are great platforms for live streaming.
If you're not the one who's presenting, have someone else do it--maybe your director or CEO? And make sure to promote the broadcast on all your other social channels. Offer incentives to viewers like free products or swag if they subscribe during the live stream.
You can also ask viewers questions that might reveal something about your company that you didn't know before--just make sure to answer those same questions later so people don't feel ignored!
7) Leverage Snapchat filters and lenses
Snapchat is a great way to get people excited about your brand and to make them feel like they are part of the experience. One thing that Snapchat does really well is filters and lenses.
These can be used to create a unique filter for your company, or you can leverage it as a way to give an exclusive look into an event or behind the scenes at your company. The key with this tactic is to ensure that the lens or filter only lasts twenty-four (24) hours so no one else can share it after that time period.
It will also make your customers want to use their time wisely in order to catch something special.
8) Create an Instagram story
Have you ever thought to yourself, I wish I had more followers? Well, it's time to stop wishing and start doing. With Instagram stories, you can create an engaging story that your followers will enjoy and want to watch again.
To do this, make sure you are following these guidelines:
- Add captions for each frame
- Use arrows or boxes to draw attention
- Include a call-to-action
- Highlight the best moments of your day
- Capture your favorite memories from the past with filters
- Watch how many people engage with your posts!
As a result of using these tips, you'll be well on your way to reaching new people without needing a million dollar budget!
9) Use Facebook groups
Facebook groups are an excellent way to reach people who are interested in your niche. You can find groups by searching for keywords or use Facebook's groups you may like feature.
Join and participate in the group, getting to know the members and their interests. Share your content with them when appropriate and provide valuable information that helps them out.
Be sure to be a good member of the group by following all rules set forth by the group owner and being a valuable participant in discussions as well.
10) Pin important tweets to the top of your Twitter profile
Pin important tweets to the top of your Twitter profile and you'll be able to make sure they are seen by a larger audience, even if they are older. This is especially helpful if you have important announcements or news.
