The advent of social media changed the marketing world forever. Previously, marketing and advertising were done through traditional mediums like TV, radio, and print. Now, companies have refocused their efforts and market, often exclusively in some cases, through modern social media platforms.
As an affiliate marketer, social media is a tool that you simply cannot ignore. It provides a cost-effective marketing solution with a potential audience of billions. However, modern social media platforms are sophisticated and complex, which means the learning curve is steeper than it was in the past. We’ve put together a list of areas of social media marketing that you need to know about to optimise your marketing strategy. Read on to find out more.
Social Media Ads
Advertising is nothing new. However, social media ads work in a different way from adverts you might see on TV, so learning how to effectively make use of them is essential for any business owner.
All of the major social media platforms have paid advertising options, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn. The way in which each of these systems works is slightly different, and they are updated all the time, so learning the intricacies of your platform of choice is vital.
Generally, social media ads allow marketers to choose from various formats, including images, videos, and carousels. Each of these may cost different amounts, while the price can also influence where exactly the ad appears and how many people it reaches.
Most social media ad programs also offer audience-targeting tools. These can be used to specify a particular demographic to focus on, while marketers will also be offered feedback and analytic reports to measure the success of their campaigns.
Paid Promotion
Social media platforms also offer another marketing option known as paid promotion. This is where companies can pay to have a particular post on their page boosted so it will reach more people. At a glance, this doesn’t seem all that different to social media ads, but there are key differences between the two approaches.
Running a social media ad campaign involves creating images, videos, copy, and a general strategy to see results. This can be a time-consuming and costly process that requires significant financial outlay before any returns.
With paid promotion, businesses can give a boost to content that has been posted freely and is already performing well. This can cut out some of the risk and the work involved with running a social media ad campaign, with the potential for instant results.
Influencer Marketing
The idea of a social media influencer would have seemed totally alien just a few years ago. Now, they are global celebrities with enormous followings and fan bases. Influencers present a fantastic opportunity for businesses to get an edge over their competitors.
The biggest influencers boast large and loyal followings, perfect for getting the word out about a new product or service to your target demographic. Influencer marketing can raise awareness of and trust in your brand, and the approach has a high ROI with little expenditure other than the initial fee paid to your influencer of choice.
Recently we’ve also seen an increase in the use of micro-influencers. These influencers have much smaller followings than the big names, but still offer marketers an excellent opportunity. Micro-influencers are often involved with niche industries such as tech, so if you are marketing such a product or service, partnering with a micro-influencer can give you access to a highly knowledgeable customer base.
Organic Marketing
Perhaps the biggest advantage of social media is that it allows for marketing to be done completely free of charge. Otherwise known as organic marketing, this encompasses native posts and content that are uploaded separately from paid promotions and advertisements.
Organic marketing is an affordable and effective way to raise awareness of your business and new products. Content is key here, whether you are posting written content, images, or videos, your content needs to grab the attention of your audience and encourage them to find out more.
As you begin to build a following, engaging with your customers is a core principle of organic marketing. This will help build deeper connections between you and your customers and will make your business appear more relatable and trustworthy. Additionally, engaging with your customers will give you a chance to hear their thoughts and opinions, valuable information which can be used to inform your strategy as you move forward.
Conclusion
Social media has changed the world in so many ways, marketing and advertising being no exception. Use this guide to learn about the key areas of social media marketing and make the most of them in your next campaign.
If you’re looking for more affiliate and social media marketing insights, take a look at our blog for all the latest news and advice. Or for a more personalised approach, book a free call with a member of our team.
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