Understand Social Media Automation from A to Z

Are you a go-getter entrepreneur? You have probably heard a million times that social media boosts brand visibility. Do you need more customers? If yes, you have possibly dived headfirst into Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Nonetheless, you quickly realized the harsh truth that maintaining an active social media presence is like a full-time job. Posting several times daily on multiple platforms drains time, and you cannot tell if it is paying off.

You might find that audience engagement remains minimal regardless of your efforts. Managing social media is more complex than throwing content onto various platforms and hoping for the best. It is easy to spend 30, 60, or even 90 days posting without seeing any actual results. Thus, you may feel the weight of wasted time and resources.

You might also consider a social media expert, but there are challenges. This role can set you back hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars monthly. Moreover, the field is relatively new. Many social media managers lack comprehensive marketing skills.

Some businesses resort to hiring younger relatives, assuming their social media savvy will translate into marketing prowess. However, it often does not. At some point, you might think, "There has to be a better way."

Join the social media automation world today! Automation tools can streamline your posting process and offer valuable data & insights into content that resonates with your target audience. If you are new to the social media landscape, you are looking for an automation solution that does not require expert skills.

Automation tools are diverse, but it is not always the silver bullet. Although automating social media posts can save you time and provide analytics, other strategies also work.

Thus, consider it a part of your broader social media game plan to get better results. Meanwhile, do not automate just for the sake of competition. Consistently rethinking your social media strategy is essential. Overall, throwing content at different platforms and hoping for the best is a flawed approach.

Why Social Media Automation May Not Suit You

As automation gains ground in our lives, we are increasingly cherishing unique human empathy and the ability to think. This situation is apparent in the social media realm.

People are not scrolling through Facebook or Instagram to chat with chatbots. They are after a genuine human connection. If you thought you would find a social media automation tool to create posts or respond to comments on your behalf, you are wrong.

Such tasks require the human touch. Thus, substituting a machine for human interaction will feel inauthentic, and you will lose audience interest. While social media management tools cannot replace human interaction, they offer several benefits.

They may not craft the content for you but can help you maintain consistency in your posting schedule. They automate routine tasks like posting to multiple accounts at once. This approach frees you to invest time in crafting higher-quality content and engaging with your audience.

Picking the Right Content for Social Media

In 2022, a staggering 4.59 billion people used social media, and the number is rising. But what draws people to platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook? In general, staying in touch and sharing personal updates are common reasons.

People also seek news, entertainment, and shopping opportunities. Interestingly, many users are more interested in consuming content than creating it. Knowing this helps you craft the right content. If people want news, be a news source.

If they seek entertainment, entertain them. If they are shopping, sell them your products. SocialBee is an excellent platform offering six predefined content strategy categories. The categories cover curated articles, blog posts, and promotional content.

You must pick one category for promotions since people dislike cold-call sales pitches. Today's consumer needs more than a product. In simple words, they need a trustworthy brand and it comes from expertise and shared values.

Here is where educational blog posts can benefit you. They consider you a problem solver, not just a seller. You can share content across all your channels using tools like SocialBee, but there is another angle to succeed.

Modern consumers care about their impact on the world. They are more conscious about the brands they support. That is why categories like Quotes, Questions, Fun, and Curated News are helpful. They help showcase your brand's values and personality.

Thus, ensure you engage your audience. Prompt discussions around news that reflect your values. Let your customers know you are interested in their opinions. It can be an efficient way to boost engagement and build a community.

Choosing the Best Times for Social Media Posts

Now that you have nailed down what content to post on social media let us tackle when to post it. Timing matters a lot. Your audience notices your content if you post at the right time. Nonetheless, pinning down the perfect time to post requires a lot of research.

Your business type and target demographic weigh heavily in the equation. The most accurate way to determine the ideal posting time is by asking your audience directly. Invest in market research or build a strong buyer persona.

If this approach is not productive, your next best option is to look at when each platform experiences peak traffic. For instance, HubSpot suggests that late mornings and afternoons during weekdays are often best for Facebook.

Instagram trends on Fridays, while Twitter records visitors daily. LinkedIn thrives in the middle of the workweek. Meanwhile, posting frequency plays a huge role. Posting more often can multiply your engagement rates.

Yet, platforms like Facebook will reduce your reach if you overdo it without engagement. Your industry and target demographic also dictate your approach. Are you selling cruises to seniors? You need a relevant game plan.

Check your analytics and adapt your strategy accordingly. Bear in mind the "right times to post" is public. This statement means everyone tries to post at these golden hours. If you follow the crowd, you risk getting lost in the clutter.

If you are a newbie, apps like SocialBee offer automated schedules based on industry benchmarks. Just pick your content categories and desired platforms. Your content will go out at optimized times across various platforms.

How Do You Add Content to SocialBee?

SocialBee is a real-time-saver if you want to upload multiple posts simultaneously. You gather all your content and put it in a spreadsheet. After that, save the spreadsheet in a .csv format. Next, hit the tool's 'Import CSV' function.

This tool allows you to upload the entire content sheet into your chosen category. It is straightforward and efficient, especially if you have bulk posts to share.

On the other hand, if you are working with a limited number of posts, the next option might be more appropriate. In your account, navigate to the "Add Post to this category" section. Here, you can enter each piece of content one at a time.

It is simple and allows you to review each post. No matter which path you decide to take, you always have the freedom to edit your posts. You can also make last-minute changes or adjustments, ensuring your social media strategy stays on point.

Leveraging Branded Short Links for Audience Growth

Short links are tidy and easy to share. But did you know they can be an analytics goldmine? With short URLs, you can track crucial data like which devices your target audience uses, their location, and language.

Some URL shorteners take it up a notch with audience retargeting. You have probably heard sharing content from different sources enriches your social media profiles. Once people click those third-party links, they often leave your ecosystem. What if you could retarget them with your ads with link retargeting?

Here is how to make it happen. First, create branded links. Research shows custom links can skyrocket your CTR (click-through rate) by up to 34%. Next, navigate to your Facebook Ad Manager and boost your performance.

By fusing this pixel into branded links and sharing them, you will gather data on every click. Hence, you can target them with tailored ads. SocialBee works with short URL platforms with the retargeting feature, including Rebrandly, PixelMe, Replug, JotURL, RocketLink, and Switchy.

Crafting High-Converting Ads for Each Funnel Stage

One smart strategy to overcome stagnant results is retargeting links and ads. Aim beyond ads aimed at the bottom of the sales funnel, where customers are ready to buy. In simple terms, not all scrolling through social media feeds are ready to buy.

Some are just discovering that solutions like yours exist. Therefore, your ads must consider people at different Customer Journey stages. If you need to figure out what that is, this resource on Customer Journey mapping is a must-read.

Overall, expand your focus beyond the bottom of the sales funnel. Create ad campaigns that engage people at the awareness, consideration, and decision stages. This approach will ensure you convert all potential customers, resulting in more conversions.

Awareness Stage

People start getting acquainted with your brand at this stage. But they need time to become ready to purchase and might not know what they need. This stage is where you aim to set yourself apart from competitors. The key is brand recognition. The more they recognize you, the more likely they will return to buy.

Consideration Stage

During the consideration stage, your audience knows what they need but is still shopping around. They compare, contrast, and deep-dive into their options. This stage is your chance to rise above competitors and make productive impressions.

Conversion Stage

During the conversion stage, your leads are ripe for the picking. They are ready to purchase, and you must ensure they choose you. How? That is where your different types of remarketing campaigns matter.

Branding Campaigns

Branding campaigns are your "get to know us" ads. They should be visually appealing, featuring your logo and brand identity. The ads must lead to your homepage for details.

Content Campaigns

Your audience is familiar with you, and you have built initial trust. It is time to convert them into leads through content campaigns. Your mission here is to turn curious onlookers into fans. Offer them top-notch content for free, like ebooks & whitepapers.

The goal is to make them realize you are the solution to their problems. Social media platforms are your playground. Think Facebook for videos and whitepapers and YouTube for video content.

Conversion Campaigns

You have nurtured your leads, offered value, and built trust at this stage. It is time for the conversion campaigns. Your leads have entered your CRM or are part of your email list. Pair this with a robust email follow-up strategy, and you have a conversion recipe.

Conclusion

Social media is a must-have in online marketing. You must target beyond automation to yield results. Thus, create content that resonates with the target audience. Above all, delivering relevant content is the key to a meaningful connection with your followers.