Our Senior Content Creators' top tips for creating social media content
Every brand wants to be seen on social media, but the key to really being heard lies in how attractive and engaging a brands' social media content is.
This week, we're chatting to our Senior Content Creator Bree Munro, to get her top tips on how to create engaging social media content that will result in success.
How important is hashtagging when it comes to engaging social media content?
Hashtagging is essentially a way for prospective customers or clients to find you on social media. If you’re just starting out, a hashtag strategy is an essential part of building an audience around your page. Posts with at least one hashtag receive 12% more likes, shares and comments versus those without them! You can have up to 30 hashtags on Instagram, but the verdict is still out on whether you should use as many as you can. I would recommend a mix of branded and relevant engagement hashtags in the 10-20 range when starting out, to avoid looking too spammy, but still ensuring your content is getting the love it deserves.
What have you found works well when trying to create engaging content?
It’s all about video! In the last year we have seen the rise of the Youtuber, Instagram Stories, and now IGTV, with content ranging from behind-the-scenes, to Boomerangs, to engaging tutorial videos and everything in between. People don’t just want highly polished and curated feeds, they want to see what is happening behind the brands. Other than that, there has been a trend towards crisp and clean studio images, and we have been incorporating a lot more edgy graphic design elements into our content.
Is there anything you’ve found that doesn’t work so well?
When we are building a strategy for clients we like to remind them that it is ‘social’ media, not ‘sales’ media. Making every post about selling your product is the equivalent of putting pamphlets in someone’s mailbox every single day! Eventually they will get a “no junk mail” sticker (or unfollow you in this case). Build a community around your product or service, encourage engagement and conversations, and this will result in long term return customers, sales, and followers.
Are there any techniques out there that people use to generate content that you don’t agree with?
Sharing content and crediting its source is part of networking on social media, but there is nothing worse than an entire feed of re-grammed images from other people! Original content is key.
When creating content where do you start? / What’s your first step?
The first step in creating content is identifying the targetaudience and putting yourself in their shoes. What do they want to see? What will they engage with? What will encourage them to act? Every market is different, and a digital content strategy should be adjusted accordingly.
How important is variety when it comes to content creation?
Extremely! While it is important to have a consistent brand and theme across your social media channels, there is nothing more boring for a consumer than the same repetitive content. Not only that, but social media is an everchanging landscape and it is important to keep up with the trends. Mix it up, put some personality into it, and most importantly – have fun!
Would you like to chat to Bree and our team of social media content creation specialists at Melbourne Social Co? Get in touch with us today by emailing [email protected].
Want to check out our social media visual content monthly package? Click here.
The Benefits Of A Boutique Agency
Thinking of outsourcing your brand's marketing requirements? Tossing up between working with a large or boutique agency? We're sharing a few tips on why boutique is the way to go!
When it comes to sourcing an agency to best represent your brand, its no secret there is a bit of an oversaturation in the world of marketing and social media.
More than often, it’s tempting to choose a large, well-known company to meet your marketing needs - but what about the alternatives? There HAS to be another option for value, satisfaction and success.
Here lies the secret weapon that is the Boutique Creative Marketing Agency.
With an intimate team of professionals directly at hand, the benefits of choosing a boutique agency are endless.
Direct access to the owner, specialist team members and closer client relationships
Too often the hierarchy at big agencies resembles more of a monarchy than an efficient, innovative space for creativity and client relations to flourish.
In larger businesses, strict structures and reporting protocol limit the contact and input a client can have when it comes to the services provided to them.
At a boutique agency, a smaller team of handpicked professionals can offer a more personal service and creative space for successful client relationships. Your creative team are able to position themselves as an extension of your business, leading to a more authentic content creation process.
Owners and senior members of staff have the ability to directly oversee projects within a smaller team, allowing a client’s input and best interests to be at the forefront of their minds; ultimately producing higher quality work that is the best representation of your business’ vision.
Lower Cost
Instead of the cost of overheads including extra support staff, lavish workspaces and expense accounts that you would find integrated into proposed quotes by larger agencies, outsourcing a boutique agency to market your business can be a much more cost effective option.
With a boutique agency, clients pay only for the team that actually works on a job, meaning no unjustified or hidden costs. Generally a Melbourne Social Co monthly retainer is equivalent to, or less than, the cost of a full time junior salary - a fee that gives you direct access to the experience of an entire creative team.
Faster turn around
Another major benefit when it comes to choosing a boutique agency over a larger competitor is the quick turn around time for projects and content.
Boutique agencies carefully hand-pick a manageable amount of clients they believe they can deliver genuine results to, so your project wont be put on hold or lost in the crowd. This tailored approach smaller agencies employ ensures your campaign will be given the attention and dedicate it deserves, leading to better results!
These are but a few benefits we can recommend when it comes to going ahead with a smaller, boutique marketing agency. For any queries, or additional information on how we at Melbourne Social Co can provide the very best service for your business or project, contact us today - [email protected]
The Latest Instagram Algorithm Changes
Want to know how Instagram's latest algorithm will decide what photos and videos show up in your feed? We’ve got all the answers!
Done in an effort to refresh the app and improve chronology, Instagram is opening up about what’s new and why.
A personalised feed
The new algorithm places a focus on ensuring everyone’s feed is unique and relevant to the user. This personalisation is done through monitoring who you interact with and past behaviors. Basically, a users level of engagement with certain accounts will determine how much or how little they will see of that content.
A big part of this new and improved personalised feed is to prioritise posts from your ‘friends and family’. The updated algorithm claims that users will now see 90% of the posts from their ‘friends and family’ (as determined by Instagram), as opposed to 50%, which was the percentage prior to the algorithm change.
Breaking it down - interest, timeliness and relationship
To help us further understand the new algorithm, Instagram has broken it down into three important determining classifications: interest, timeliness and relationship.
Interest = how interested they think you’ll be in the post
If Instagram thinks you’ll be interested in a post, they will prioritise it and it will appear higher in your feed. How do they determine what they think you will like? Well, they base this on your past behavior and engagement with similar content.
Timeliness = relating to how recently a photo was posted
This new aspect of the algorithm intends to limit how often users are seeing ‘old’ posts from weeks ago and helps keep users feeds more recent and up to date.
Relationship = determining the ‘friends and family’ category
Instagram is taking more notice of users relationships with other users. For example, if you frequently comment or are tagged in a person’s photos instagram takes that to mean you have some sort of a relationship with them and they will be categorised as your ‘friends and family’.
So what can your business do to make sure your posts are being seen and heard in the Instagram feed? Why not pencil in a chat with our team to discuss your Instagram strategy.
Three Easy Ways to Increase Office Productivity
Feeling like you need to boost your productivity? You know the feeling. It’s just after 2pm and you’re left staring into the abyss that is your iMac screen, wishing reports would magically write themselves and you had a time turner to push 5pm that little bit closer.
Don’t feel guilty, we’ve all been there- boredom and distraction happens to even the most dedicated employees. Luckily for you, we’ve popped together three of our favourite tips to increase office productivity and keep you occupied and focused all shift long!
Keep Things Tidy
We know the last thing you feel like doing is giving your desk a once over with the Windex when you have piles of work to be and major writer’s block. But, trust us, this little tip could make all the difference!
Recent studies have confirmed the correlation between increased anxiety levels and a messy environment (at home or in the workspace). Clutter and untidiness can subconsciously affect mental clarity, making it all the more difficult to focus on an urgent task at hand.
We recommend keeping a small dustbin close by so you can manage your disposable mess, whilst adhering to a clear and simple organisational structure for files and documents. Even if this means spending an extra 5 -10 minutes at the end of the day tidying and putting things back into place, you and the quality of your work will be so much better for it!
Stay Nourished and Hydrated
Hitting the snooze button on a chilly winter’s morning instead of getting up 15 minutes early to grab something quick to eat is a common occurrence for many of us. Whilst you may run out the door feeling full, once you’ve properly awoken and arrived at work, hunger will soon rear its ugly head.
Hunger can drastically affect mood and concentration, so instead of you (and your work) suffering until lunchtime, be sure to leave some healthy snacks in your handbag or office drawer to snack on and keep your energy levels on track.
Eating small amounts regularly fuels our metabolism and largely contributes to our blood sugar and energy levels, equalling increased concentration and motivation.
We recommend foods high in ‘good’ fats such as almonds and avocados and berries and green vegetables rich in vitamins K & C. These kinds of Superfoods promote healthy brain function and minimise bodily stress through the benefits of antioxidants.
Stretch Your Legs
Although the thought of an afternoon stroll sounds entirely counterproductive when you have serious deadlines looming, taking a quick break can actually improve concentration. Even if it’s just five minutes around the block, up and down the stairs, or to the local coffee shop and back, moving around every few hours is very important for those with a desk job and sedentary lifestyle.
Studies have found that those who take short, regular breaks in the workspace maintain a more constant level of performance than those who don’t. Plus, moving around increases blood flow, which promotes good cardiovascular health, and all in all increases cognitive awareness and mental clarity. Plus, who would say no to an extra coffee break?!
So there you have them, our tried and tested, simple yet sure-fire ways to increase productivity, stay focused and motivated during your daily grind, courtesy of the team at Melbourne Social Co.
Want to know more about our strategy or content creation services? Send us an email today to [email protected]
How to choose a digital influencer to work with
There are so many reasons why using influencers is a great marketing tool for your brand, including creating brand awareness, fostering consumer trust, and an excellent ROI (return on investment) compared to other media investments. With influencer marketing, you’re effectively investing in quality content, media costs and celebrity endorsement in the one go, and if you choose the right influencers to work with, you can see some great results.
Here are our top tips for choosing influencers for your brand:
Followers, Engagement & Budgeting
The size of your brand and your budget will determine whether you partner with micro or macro influencers. A micro influencer has between 1000-10,000 followers, and generally yields an 8% engagement rate. While your content is reaching a smaller audience, this audience is generally highly targeted. Micro-influencers are generally cheaper, and some may even promote your brand for free in exchange for samples, however this is not the norm. Macro influencers have 10,000-100,000 followers, with an average engagement rate of 4%. These influencers will reach a larger audience, which may not be as targeted as your micro influencers, however can perform excellently if you choose an influencer who matches your brand target audience.
Budgeting for influencer campaigns can be tricky, as each influencer sets their own rates, which aren’t necessarily consistent across the market. As a general guide, between $25-75 per thousand followers is standard.
The Warning Signs
The biggest concern with consumer marketing is that the money you invest won’t turn into brand conversions or customers, and the biggest risk of this is if the ‘influencer’ has bought their likes or followers. To avoid making a poor investment:
- Take a look at their likes and comments, and compare these to the average engagement rates for their followers. If they’re only getting 100-200 likes with 50,000 followers, it’s almost guaranteed their followers aren’t organic.
- Take a look at their content. Is this an account you’d follow? Is their content original? If an influencer’s content doesn’t meet this criteria, it’s worth wondering whether you want to pay them to represent your brand. If you’re not interested in what their posting, chances are your audience won’t be either.
- What brands have they partnered with in the past? The value of consumer marketing can be lost if they’re promoting your brand directly alongside your competitors. One of the advantages of using micro-influencers is the reduced risk of existing sponsorships.
If you’re interested in influencer marketing or would like to plan your digital campaign, contact us at [email protected]
Why Instagram Stories are a must for business in 2018
Instagram Stories are a feature that Instagram introduced last year to fight off competition from Snapchat. The feature allows users to post photos and videos that vanish after 24 hours (unless you add them as a highlight on your profile, which stay there indefinitely). Instagram Stories are proving to be very effective in getting brand engagement for those who have embraced them already. So, what are you waiting for? Get insta story creating!
Fun facts:
- 250 million people use Instagram Stories daily
- Users spend 28 minutes more on Instagram now thanks to Stories
- 33% of the most popular stories are from businesses
- 20% of stories posted by businesses result in a direct message
Here are some ways to best utilise Instagram Stories for your business:
- A look behind the scenes
As a general rule, consumers love friendly, relatable brands. Stories is informal in nature, so use this to build a rapport with your followers. Show them the process of setting up a photoshoot, the planning that goes into an event or a product launch for instance.
- Gift unique offers
Try running ‘stories only’ competitions and putting discount codes up on Instagram Stories to build brand loyalty and reward those that check out all of your content. We all love a discount code or giveaway!
- Embrace geotagging and hashtags
Posts that feature one or more hashtags receive over 12% more engagement than those without and posts with a geotagged location get a whopping 79% more engagement. Another great benefit of adding tags to your posts is that you’ll get improved visibility as your post will be included in the Story ring for that area and hashtag. So, add in that hashtag and geotag location stat!
- Create polls
Adding a ‘poll’ sticker is a fabulous way to gather opinions from your followers and also get more engagement. The poll sticker allows you to ask your followers a question and customize the answers. E.g. What’s your favourite colour? Red or Green. Polls allow the audience to feel involved with the business and decision making. You get answers and they feel involved…win win!
Social media can be a confusing aspect of business for many people and that’s totally okay! If you think your business would benefit from a little help when it comes to Instagram and your other social channels, shoot us an email - we’d love to chat with you about your strategy!
Why Facebook Live should be part of your digital marketing strategy
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Facebook Live is one of key digital marketing tools for 2017 and if you haven’t already started using it for your business now is the time!
Facebook Live can help you take your social media marketing to the next level, by helping you create an engaging conversation with your followers, reach new audiences in new ways and connect with your current audience in a more personal and interactive way.
Ready to join the trend and get started?! Here are a couple of ways you can use Facebook Live as part of your business’s digital marketing strategy:
Showcase your product or service in action:
Sometimes the hardest job for marketers is to explain to their audience exactly what their service is or specific product features. That’s why Facebook Live is a great tool for showcasing these unique characteristics and benefits, in an engaging way that doesn’t rely on just imagery or text.
For example, if you offer a beauty service, why not use Facebook Live to demonstrate the beauty service in action? If you have a food or beverage product you could use Facebook Live to show off a great recipe.
Make it personal:
Facebook Live is a great tool for sharing behind the scenes content to show a more personal side to your business. You could host an interview with key members of your staff, share some great behind the scenes content of a photoshoot, live auction or tour of your office. People love seeing the ‘real’ components (and people) in your business!
Encourage interaction:
As a business owner, chances are you’re an expert in your field. Share your knowledge, showcase your expertise and answer common questions through Facebook Live and while you’re doing that, encourage your audience to interact with you!
Ask them to comment their questions and answer your commenter by addressing them by name. This is a great way to build a relationship with your consumer and keep them hooked!
Ready to get started? Here are a few top tips to try now:
- Tell fans you’re broadcasting ahead of time: Post 2 – 3 sneak peeks or previews to encourage people to tune in when you go live
- Always do a practice run
- Film in a professional setting
- Be creative!
Do you need help developing a Facebook Live strategy for your business? Contact your expert team of digital marketing gurus at Melbourne Social Co today!
Call us on: 1300 386 165 or send us an email at: [email protected].
How to unwind at the end of a busy year
As 2016 is drawing to a close it’s a great opportunity to take some time out during the Christmas and New Year period to unwind and recharge.
Unsure where to start? Check out our top tips below!
Switch off:
While there’s no doubt that we love social media here at Melbourne Social Co, sometimes even we need a little time out from the online world. Taking a few hours (or days!) to switch off will help your feel more inspired and motivated.
Just ensure you continue to schedule your businesses social media content while you switch off – better yet, engage a social media manager to create, distribute and monitor your social media activity for your business while you're offline.
Spend time with your family:
There’s nothing quite like spending quality time with your loved ones, so make sure you lock in some time for a little family fun! Whether you choose to relax on the couch with a movie, or head away for a mini vacation, taking time out with the people who matter in your life will lift your spirits and recharge your energy.
Have a change of scenery:
Throughout the year, sometimes we get so caught up in our routines that we forget to experience the amazing world around us! It may be a cliche, but sometimes we really do need to stop and smell the roses! This holiday season, try to take a few days to jet off to a different location or head somewhere you’ve never been before – even if it’s a great local beach, or walking track that you’ve been dying to go to.
Get inspired:
In order to begin the New Year in the right frame of mind, it’s important to take some time to get inspired! Attend a seminar, organise a coffee catch up with a person you admire or read a great book from an inspiring author– the options are endless!
Make sure you write down what it is about these things that inspire you so you can aim to action them in your 2017 goals!
Relax:
Seems simple doesn’t it? But see if you can spend some time doing absolutely nothing! Watch a movie, go for a walk or just have a sleep-in. All of these non-work related activities are vital to help you begin a new year with a fresh and recharged mind.
How are you unwinding at the end of this year? Comment and share with us below!
If you need help taking your social media marketing to the next level in 2017 make sure you get in touch with our expert team here at Melbourne Social Co.
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165
Working with Digital Influencers
If you're working in marketing or PR in 2016, you've no doubt heard of influencer marketing. For those of you that haven't - influencer marketing is essentially collaborating or partnering with digital influencers (or social media celebrities) to assist in the promotion of your brand.
Influencer marketing is one of the most powerful ways to increase brand awareness and build trust in your brand in an authentic and engaging way.
By tapping into the large following of likeminded influencers on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, you can put your product or service in front on your consumer in a way that really makes a difference for your business.
So if you’re looking to begin working with digital influencers, here are some great ways to get started!
Social media takeovers and collaborations:
One of the best ways to grow your brand awareness and to develop trust with your consumers is by getting a key digital influencer to create co-branded content or even 'take over' your social media channels. An influencer could share a “day in their life”, create a series of images that showcase your products, write a blog filled with their top tips and tricks (tying back to your product or service) or take their fans on a 'behind the scenes' tour of your brand.
Consumers love to engage in content created by their favourite online personalities and by tapping into their fan-base, your collaboration is likely to attract more followers for your business accounts as well.
Giveaways:
There’s no better way to get people engaged in your brand than by doing giveaways! Everyone loves a free product or service and consumers are more likely to engage and interact with your promotion if you tap into digital influencers to share and promote the giveaway to their followers.
Product reviews:
While you may know that your product or service is great, one of the most challenging aspects of being a business owner is convincing your consumers. Using digital influencers to recommend your brand is a great way to do this, as they have a huge loyal and trusting fan base that are eager to hear more about their reviews and recommendations. A recent study has shown that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from peers or trusted authorities and likewise, a massive 72% of people rely on social media to inform their purchasing decisions. So what are you waiting for?
Are you looking to tap into the power of digital influencers to grow your business? Here at Melbourne Social Co we specialise in working with social media celebrities to take your marketing strategy to the next level!
Get in touch with us today to find out more!
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165
The Lowdown on Snapchat for Business
Ever since its launch in 2011, Snapchat has become a seriously popular social media platform for both businesses and individuals thanks to its instant, creative and interactive features.
While it’s most commonly used by the millennial generation, many Australian businesses are embracing the Snapchat revolution thanks to its potential to reach - well over 3 million Australians use the social media platform on a daily basis.
Ready to start using Snapchat for your business? Read on below for more information on this trendy social media platform and why you should use it now!
What is Snapchat:
Snapchat is a social media platform where you can send pictures or videos with a 10-second time limit to your choice of followers. You can also send “stories” which are 10-second media items that all of your followers can view for the next 24 hours. Snapchat also has a variety of fun features, including animated filters, instant messaging, voice/video calling and replay options.
Why should businesses use it?
Many businesses are tapping into Snapchat’s popularity to run marketing campaigns including ads, sponsoring interactive features, as well as using it on a day-to-day basis as a way to connect with their audiences. Businesses including Samsung, McDonalds, MTV and Cosmopolitan along with well-known personalities like Ashy Bines, Lara Bingle and Kim Kardashian use Snapchat as a vital marketing tool for their businesses or personal brands by posting multiple daily “stories” to keep their consumers engaged and connected.
How can businesses use it?
For businesses, the main aim of communication on Snapchat is to engage your audience in your business by posting short “stories” to all your followers. You can use these stories to promote sales, updates on the business, share behind the scenes footage, run influencer takeovers, post instructive or informative videos and a whole lot more! The options on ways to market your brand are endless.
A few examples of how Australian businesses have used Snapchat include Myer, who used Snapchat to live stream their fashion parade for Spring Fashion Week, along with Cricket Australia who shared highlights of the Ashes series. Other examples include retail brands like Showpo and Frank Body who use Snapchat to take fans behind the scenes of their photoshoots, share tips, run influencer takeovers and more.
Unsure how to get started using Snapchat for your business? Or, would you like to know more about this popular social media platform?
Get in touch with Melbourne Social Co today.
P: 1300 386 165