When it comes to marketing a business, we are spoiled for choice these days.

A few generations ago, marketers were limited to mailouts and print ads – or radio and TV for those with a big enough budget! Now, we have a multitude of options to choose from, particularly when it comes to digital marketing.

Social media marketing offers an equal playing field. Anyone can set up an Instagram account or Facebook page and start promoting their business. But the wealth of platforms and content types available for digital marketing can get confusing.

What is social media content? Is it all about pretty pictures and clever videos? Could a blog be counted as social media content? What other formats are out there that you may not have thought of?

This blog will explain what social media content is and cover the different content types you could incorporate into your marketing strategy.

WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT?

Social media content is any content you create to post on social networks like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or YouTube. While these are the most popular platforms for marketers, there are plenty more out there that can perform well, depending on your industry.

TikTok can offer a fantastic ROI, as can Pinterest, Snapchat or even Reddit: it all depends on your audience, your niche, and your marketing goals.

With such a wide range of social media platforms to choose from, it’s not surprising that there are so many different types of social media content. With the right strategy, you can repurpose almost any of your marketing materials for social media, from your website's FAQs, blogs, and reviews to the transcripts from your podcast.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT IDEAS

What is social media content, specifically? Does a meme count? Are live videos included? What about content from other creators that you share?

In short - yes, everything you post to your social media platforms is classed as social media content.

If you’re feeling stuck in a rut posting the same old things week after week, it could be time to mix it up with some new content ideas. You never know what your audience might respond well to, so why not start experimenting!

Here are some of the most popular types of social media content:

Blog posts aren’t just for websites! These can work well on platforms such as LinkedIn or Facebook. For shorter-form written contact, capture key points from blogs and turn them into posts paired with an attention-grabbing image.

Photos are a great way to capture attention and increase engagement. Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook are the best networks for posting images.

Short-form videos are the fastest-growing content type around. Embrace TikTok, Instagram and Facebook Reels to get your business noticed. You could create reviews, tutorials, interviews, video tours, or just jump on the latest trend!

Long-form videos are still incredibly popular. Create product reviews, how-to guides for YouTube and link to them via your other social networks.

Stories are short-form videos or photos that last around 24 hours. They’re quick and easy to create on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.

Live streams are increasingly popular, highly engaging, and available on most social platforms.

Infographics are often widely shared. Post them to Facebook and LinkedIn for maximum effect.

Testimonials, reviews, and case studies work really well on LinkedIn and Facebook, but you can create them on any platform – either with video, an image, or text.

Giveaways can be run on any platform, but beware of the context. LinkedIn is more for a professional audience, so it may not be an appropriate platform for this type of content.

User-generated content helps show your connection with your customers. Sharing an image or photo created by someone in your audience is a great way to increase your reach.

Quizzes, polls, and questions are a great way to increase engagement and learn more about your audience. Instagram and Facebook offer simple ways to do this.

Memes aren’t just for sharing amongst friends! If a meme fits with your brand personality and is relevant to your audience, why not post it? Design your own or share from others. Just make sure you credit the original creator where possible.

WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT GOOD FOR?

Whatever you want it to be good for! There are so many options out there that it can feel overwhelming. The most important thing is to make sure you’re clear on your target audience, understand your customers, and stay true to your brand. Once you’ve done that, feel free to be as creative as you want with your social posts!

And, if you need some help planning out your social media content strategy, then Face Up Now is here to help. We can help you create fantastic content for the platforms that will get the best ROI for your brand.

Book a time to chat with us today!