QUICK BITES

Spice up your stories with Instagram’s new stickers 🌶️

Instagram's latest interactive stickers are here! Countdowns for launches, quizzes to test product knowledge, polls for feedback... these are playful ways to connect with customers and understand what they want.

Instagram’s latest algorithm update favors YOUR original content 🌟

Instagram's algorithm is shifting to reward fresh, unique content. For small businesses, this is HUGE. Time to ditch the reposts and focus on what you bring to the table. Showcase your expertise, your processes, and your brand's personality—that's the magic ingredient for social media success this year. 

Want to expand your reach on TikTok? 💸

TikTok has announced expanded premium ad placement options, which could be a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to reach a broader audience. These options let you target specific audiences and place your ads alongside trending content. 

BRAND BUILDING

Tips for Crafting the Perfect Content Cocktail

As a small business owner, you wear many hats–including social media manager. But creating engaging content across multiple platforms can feel overwhelming. Fear not! By understanding the strengths of each content type and using a strategic mix to keep your audience engaged, you'll be a social media pro in no time.

💥 Static Posts: Your Quick-Hit Wonders

Static posts are your go-to for fast announcements, eye-catching photos, and brief updates. While they may not always garner the most engagement, a well-timed headshot or product image can make a splash. The key? Use static posts strategically and sparingly to complement your other content.

🎠 Carousels: Double the Impressions, Double the Fun

With the ability to mix and match static images, videos, and text slides, carousels are the ultimate multi-taskers of the social media world. Use your first slide as a title or intro to set the stage for the rest of the slides. Carousels are perfect for step-by-step guides, showing product features/benefits, or any content where multiple slides tell a story. And, carousels are great for engagement because the content is served twice–once for each slide. This doubles impressions.

🎬 Reels & Videos: Your Behind-the-Scenes Pass

Ready to build trust and show off your brand's personality? Reels and videos are the way to go. Talking head reels, where you speak into the camera, create a personal connection, while tutorials demonstrate your expertise. Hop on trending sounds to expand your reach and let your authentic self shine. Consistency with talking head videos is key to increasing brand recognition and credibility.

⏳ Stories: Ephemeral Yet Effective

The fleeting nature of Stories makes them ideal for sharing a more casual, behind-the-scenes look at your day-to-day. Followers love feeling like they're part of your journey, so don't be afraid to get real. From daily updates to quick bites, Stories foster a unique connection with your audience. Because stories disappear in 24 hours, many people feel more comfortable experimenting with talking head videos here first.

⚖️ Tips for Creating a Balanced Content Strategy

Now that you know the superpowers of each content type, it's time to create a balanced strategy:

• Experiment with all formats for at least 3 months to see what resonates

• Organize content into pillars and rotate formats

• Repurpose top-performing content across platforms

• Focus on one platform before expanding

• Analyze data to identify your best formats

• Keep mixing it up to maintain engagement

🕺 Know Your Audience & Platform Vibe

To truly connect with your followers, you need to speak their language and create content that matches the vibe of each platform. 

TikTok: Embrace authenticity with behind-the-scenes antics and unfiltered, relatable moments.

Instagram: Showcase your expertise with polished, educational posts that deliver serious value.

Focus your energy on platforms where your ideal clients hang out, master one network at a time, and experiment to see what resonates with your audience.

TOOL TIME

Why I ❤ Scheduling Tools

I recommend my clients use a social media scheduling tool to organize content publication across multiple networks–with one caveat. 

Scheduling tools allow cross-posting of one piece of content to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more with just one action. This saves significant time when managing several accounts. 

However, you should treat the scheduling tool like an automated signal–it sets the "lights on a timer" by posting content automatically. But social media shouldn’t be a set-it-and-forget-it strategy. That extra time you save should be spent engaging with followers organically and responding to their comments and messages. 

Scheduling tools handle the easy part of posting, freeing up bandwidth to focus on driving meaningful interactions.

You already know I love Sprout Social for its analytics capabilities, but it’s also a comprehensive scheduling tool. Other popular tools include Hootsuite, Buffer, and Later. 

JOIN THE SOCIAL CLUB

In a content rut?? Join the Social Club for DAILY prompts and custom, pre-written captions to make posting a breeze.

Whether you’re an overwhelmed solopreneur, currently in your busy season, or just plain burnt out, the Social Club can keep your brand top of mind with minimal effort.