Social media. It is the greatest thing since sliced bread or it is going to destroy civilization as we know it. Boy second only to AI there are a lot of strong opinions on this.
This is not that blog post. There are plenty of those. I want to go over some important facts about Social Media Marketing that perhaps you have not considered and what is your best option for promoting your business, organization or brand.
It is Not Just “The Kids” it is Everyone. Yes. Even Nana.
U.S. Adults spend on average two and a half hours on Social Media everyday. They consume content on and post on an average of six different platforms. In many instances they consume as much social media as traditional media.
Don’t believe me? A viral video on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram has around 5 million views in a week to be generally considered viral. These videos are low budget, created mostly by amateurs. None of the late night talk shows get to 2 million viewers.
Ok. I hear you. “Late night talk shows are dead.” Fine. Fox News, MSNBC, CNN primetime, the big shows, also less than two million viewers each night. “Cable News and the MainStream Media is dead as well.” you might say. Fine.
Sunday Night Football was the most watched show in the 2022/23 season. The average viewership was 18 million viewers. So a cheap, but hopefully creative, viral video has ONLY around 30% of the viewers of Sunday Night Football.
The point in all of this. Lots and lots and lots of people are consuming and interacting with content on Social Media and for the most part putting stuff out there is essentially free except for the time and the creativity to come up with things people want to watch, read, what have you.
“What does this have to do with me, nerd?” I also hear you say and also, wow. Kinda harsh.
I am assuming you have a business, organization, cause, favorite hobby, something you want to get the word out about. Something that you feel, at least I hope, will bring value to other humans if they use it, know about it, eat it, etc.
Use Social Media. It Applies to You. I Promise.
Ralph Nader once said, “Turn on to politics, or politics will turn on you.” If you don’t know who Ralph Nader is, Google it and also, yeah, I am probably older than you.
You need to “turn on to social media” in 2024 or it will “turn on you”. Not literally of course, like Mr. Nader is implying (he was a bit of a drama dude) but you might be losing a foothold to others who are doing social media more actively than you.
They don’t even have to be doing it all that well. Just being out there and doing something is a lot. If you are not doing it, you are losing valuable headspace in your potential customers, friends, supporters, minds when they think about what to do when…. (you fill in the blank here with whatever your thing is).
What Works Right Now and Worked Last Year
So, by now you’ve probably watched yourself or had someone tell you about some short video they saw on social media, right? They’re like the potato chips of the internet – short, snappy, and oh-so-addictive. But I am willing to bet you didn’t think about how you might jump on this bandwagon without falling flat on your face, don’t worry. I’ve got your back like a trusty sidekick!
First things first, let’s break it down: Short-term videos are those little snippets of content that vanish quicker than my patience waiting in line for coffee. Think YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok, X/Twitter – all those hip places.
Now, you might be thinking, “But why should I care about these mini-videos? What does it have to do with my problem, you strange person?”
Well, my friend, let me enlighten you:
- Short Attention Spans, Big Impact: In a world where attention spans are shorter than a goldfish’s memory, short-term videos are the superheroes swooping in to save the day. They grab attention faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer!
- Show, Don’t Tell: Forget those lengthy status updates or essays masquerading as posts. With short-term videos, you can show off your fabulous life, your cat’s hilarious antics, or even your questionable dance moves without typing a single word.
- Engagement Galore: People love to engage with short-term videos. They’ll swipe, tap, and double-tap faster than you can say “social butterfly.” And guess what? More engagement means more love from the algorithms – it’s like free internet points!
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But how do I even make one of these fancy-shmancy videos?” Fear not, my friend!
Here are some foolproof tips to get you started:
- Keep It Snappy: Remember, you’re not filming ‘Gone with the Wind’ here. Aim for bite-sized content that’s easy to consume even for your grandma who still can’t figure out the TV remote.
- Add Some Flair: Don’t be a boring potato – spice things up with filters, stickers, and emojis. Let your creativity run wilder than a herd of cats in a yarn factory.
- Tell a Story: Every good video has a beginning, middle, and end. Even if it’s just you narrating your breakfast routine, make it compelling enough to keep your audience glued to their screens.
- Embrace Imperfection: Listen, nobody expects Spielberg-level production quality. Embrace the imperfections, the bloopers, and the occasional camera shake. It’s what makes your videos authentically you!
- Experiment, Experiment, Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new things. Mix up your content, test different formats, and see what sticks like spaghetti on a kitchen ceiling.
So, there you have it! Social Media is not going anywhere, anytime soon. I promise, this is not a fad. Also, for now, short-term videos are the best way to get noticed and share what cool stuff you have.
Making these types of videos might seem daunting at first, but with a sprinkle of courage and a dash of creativity, you’ll be the Tarantino of TikTok in no time. Oh wait. Please don’t do that. The alliteration got ahead of me there.
Anywho, go forth, unleash your inner content creator, and remember: the internet is your playground – just try not to trip over the swings!
Catch you on the flip side. If you need any help creatively, technically, philosophically. Give me a holler and let’s chat.
