Is your brand invisible on social media? You‘re not alone. With over 4.6 billion global social media users in 2024, it‘s harder than ever to stand out from the crowd and build a substantial following.
But don‘t throw in the towel just yet. A robust social media presence is within reach if you focus on proven strategies that get results. According to a 2023 Sprout Social survey, 84% of consumers will choose a brand over a competitor after following them on social media.
The ultimate goal is to turn casual followers into raving superfans who trust your brand, engage with your content, and convert into loyal customers. Here are 23 powerful tactics to supercharge your social media presence in 2024, backed by the latest research and real-world examples.
Develop a Strong Content Strategy
Your social media content is the foundation of your entire presence. Without a solid strategy, you‘re just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. Here‘s how to optimize your content for maximum reach and engagement:
1. Prioritize short-form video
If you‘re not creating short-form video content, you‘re already behind. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels have exploded in popularity, with no signs of slowing down.
A 2022 HubSpot survey found that 90% of marketers using short-form video will increase or maintain their investment in 2024. And users are craving it, with the average TikTok session lasting 10.85 minutes.
Focus on creating entertaining, educational, or inspiring videos that are under 60 seconds. Use popular sounds, filters and effects to boost discoverability. Don‘t forget to add captions for accessibility.
Case study: Chipotle‘s "Lid Flip" challenge on TikTok generated 250 million views and 430 million impressions in just 6 days.
2. Hook them with powerful storytelling
In the age of information overload, storytelling is your secret weapon to cut through the noise and make an emotional impact. The human brain is wired for stories – messages delivered as stories can be up to 22x more memorable.
Share authentic stories about your brand‘s history, mission or customer success stories. Craft a compelling narrative arc with a beginning, middle and end. Use sensory details to paint a mental picture.
Example: Humans of New York shares moving true stories about everyday people, garnering 11.6 million followers on Instagram.
3. Recycle your top-performing content
Don‘t just publish content once and let it fade into oblivion. Repurpose and re-promote your best content across multiple platforms to reach new audiences.
Turn a blog post into a Twitter thread, LinkedIn article, Instagram carousel or YouTube video. Tweak the format and dimensions for each platform. Update old content with new stats or examples.
Case study: Ahrefs increased their blog traffic by 468% by updating and republishing old posts.
Master the Art of Engagement
Engagement is the lifeblood of social media. If your followers aren‘t liking, commenting and sharing your content, the algorithms will stop showing it in their feeds. Here‘s how to spark meaningful interactions:
4. Respond to every comment and DM
Social media is a two-way street. If someone takes the time to comment on your post or slide into your DMs, make them feel heard and appreciated with a thoughtful reply.
Not only does this build goodwill and loyalty, but it also boosts your engagement rate in the eyes of the algorithm. Make it a daily habit to check and respond to all messages.
Example: Wendy‘s is famous for their witty replies to fans (and haters) on Twitter.
5. Ask questions to encourage conversation
Don‘t just broadcast your own content – invite your followers to join the conversation. Ask open-ended questions in your posts and Stories to elicit responses.
People love sharing their opinions and experiences. Make them feel like their voice matters. Pose hypothetical scenarios, conduct polls, or host a Q&A session.
Example: Airbnb asks their followers "If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?"
6. Host contests and giveaways
Everyone loves free stuff. Running a social media contest is a tried-and-true tactic to boost engagement, grow your following and collect user-generated content.
Choose a prize that aligns with your brand and target audience. Make the entry requirements simple, like following your account, tagging a friend or posting with your branded hashtag. Use a tool like Gleam or Wishpond to manage entries and pick a winner.
Example: GoPro‘s "Million Dollar Challenge" encouraged users to submit their best videos for a chance to be featured in their highlight reel and earn equal part of $1 million. The contest generated over 42,000 submissions and 76 million views.
Implement Growth Hacks
Once you‘ve nailed your content and engagement strategies, it‘s time to pour gasoline on the fire with some advanced growth tactics. These hacks will help you expand your reach and attract new followers:
7. Hop on trending audio and hashtags
One of the fastest ways to go viral and get discovered by new audiences is to participate in trending challenges, sounds and hashtags. TikTok and Instagram curate feeds of popular content for each trend, giving you a chance to be featured.
Keep an eye on the Discover page to see what‘s hot at the moment. Put your own creative spin on the trend while staying true to your brand voice. Act fast before it becomes oversaturated.
Example: 498,000 videos were made using Lizzo‘s popular audio clip in the viral dance challenge, "About Damn Time."
8. Collaborate with influencers and other brands
Two is better than one. Partnering with influencers or other brands in your industry is a win-win to cross-pollinate your audiences and borrow social proof.
Find influencers who align with your values and aesthetic. Offer them incentives like free products, exclusive experiences or affiliate commissions. Co-create content that feels authentic and mutually beneficial.
Example: Jansport teamed up with influencers to create the #LightenTheLoad campaign, showcasing mental health tips for back-to-school season. The campaign generated 2 million impressions and $10,000 in scholarship donations.
9. Embrace up-and-coming platforms
Don‘t put all your eggs in one basket. While it‘s important to focus on the major networks where your audience already spends time, be open to experimenting with newer, niche platforms before they hit the mainstream.
Early adopters often get a head start and enjoy higher organic reach before a platform becomes pay-to-play. Platforms to watch in 2024 include BeReal, Mastodon and Shuffles by Pinterest.
Measure Your Impact
"What gets measured gets managed." Tracking your social media metrics is essential to understand what‘s working, what‘s not, and how to optimize your strategy. Focus on these key performance indicators (KPIs):
10. Track follower growth and demographics
Your follower count is the most obvious metric to track over time. But it‘s also important to dive deeper into the demographics of your followers to ensure you‘re attracting the right audience.
Most platforms offer native analytics to show your follower breakdown by age, gender, location, and other interests. Use this data to create buyer personas and tailor your content accordingly.
11. Calculate your engagement rate
Engagement rate is a better indicator of your content‘s quality and resonance than vanity metrics like likes or views. To calculate your engagement rate, divide the number of engagements (likes, comments, shares, etc.) by your total number of followers, then multiply by 100.
A good engagement rate varies by platform and industry, but a general benchmark is 1-5%. Anything above that is considered high. Keep an eye on your average engagement rate and aim to improve it over time.
12. Measure referral traffic and conversions
Ultimately, your social media efforts should drive tangible business results, like website traffic, leads, and sales. Use Google Analytics to track how much referral traffic is coming from each social platform.
Set up goals and conversion events to measure specific actions, like email sign-ups, product purchases, or app downloads. Attribution can be tricky, but it‘s important to connect the dots between your social media investments and bottom-line impact.
Example: Airbnb uses multi-touch attribution to measure the impact of their social media ads on bookings and revenue. They found that every dollar spent on Facebook ads yielded $2 in bookings.
Final Thoughts
Building a thriving social media presence takes time, effort and creativity. But with the right strategies and persistent execution, you can rise above the noise and cultivate a loyal community of customers and advocates.
Focus on creating engaging, shareable content that resonates with your target audience. Prioritize video and storytelling to capture attention. Interact with your followers like real humans, not faceless bots. Stay on the pulse of trends and new platforms. And always measure your results to optimize your approach.
Remember, social media is not just a megaphone to promote your brand. It‘s an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, provide value, and humanize your business. Approach it with authenticity, empathy and a dash of humor.
For more social media tips and insights, check out these resources:
- 75 Social Media Content Ideas to Boost Your Engagement (with Examples)
- 7 Winning Social Media Strategies Used by Top Brands
- [Free Download] Social Media Metrics Tracking Template
Now go forth and conquer the social media world! If you have any questions or success stories, share them in the comments below. Happy posting!
