So many people think social media is posting to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram a couple times a day. It can be. That works… on your personal account. But if you want to get something out of it to grow your brand or business, just posting is not going to get you anywhere. What you put on those channels can literally make or break your business. Over time, it could catapult. In a day, it could destroy. It is a vital part of any business and it needs to be treated as such. Not to  mention, the many times one bad social media post has gone viral leading to a company doing major damage control. So, if you want to take your business to the next level or you are looking to hire someone to do that for you, make sure you are hiring someone with a strategy who is thinking beyond 1-2 posts a day. Or, if you are that intern or person holding an entry-level position, here are ten things to keep in mind that will set you apart from the rest:

1. Know your target market … Think of the audience your product, business, or brand appeals to. That’s the audience you want to reach. What do they want or need to see? Forget what you want to share with them. Instead, share what they expect to see from you.
2. Take time to craft your content … Posting to post doesn’t make much sense. You have to have a strategy and a reason to share what you are sharing, or else, what is the point? Before, during, and after you craft your content it’s important to ask yourself, “What is the goal of this post?”
3. Cross platforms … You don’t have to be on every form of social media. For some products, businesses, or brands it just doesn’t make sense. If you are in the financial industry, I don’t think Instagram would be a good fit. If you are in the fashion industry, I don’t think Twitter would be good for you. But sometimes, it is good to be on more than one or two depending on what you want to share.
4. Keep your brand consistent … Know who you are and what you stand for. If you appear confused, how do you think your followers are going to feel? Your audience wants to feel like they know you. It makes them feel comfortable, so don’t change.
5. Mix it up … The picture with the text format works great, but some days it’s nice to think outside of the box and show your audience a little more. Make a video or share a link to an article you think your audience will enjoy. Keep them interested.
6. Engage your audience … Don’t leave them hanging! Ask questions, jump in on conversations, build relationships – it’s why you have social media in the first place.
7. Follow the 70/30 rule … This means 70% of your posts should be engaging and 30% of your posts should be promotional. How boring and annoying would it be if every time you saw an update it was that person or business trying to sell you something again? In the end, that is the goal but you want people to get there organically.
8. Check your insights, growth, and impressions … This is something the average Joe doesn’t know how to do or even understand, but it’s a huge part of running a successful social media campaign. These numbers basically tell you what you are doing right or wrong and when you’re doing it. There is no better way to serve your audience after seeing these results.
9. Keep up with industry trends … Keep up with social media trends and the industry of your client. If you are going to grow your business via social media, you need to be informed on all levels. You are the expert!
10. Reassess, revise, and rework … This is a bit of a pick up from tip #8. The same thing won’t work forever. Online media is changing, your audience may change, and your product, business, or brand may change. That’s why you can’t be complacent.