Managing social media for your business isn’t just about posting regularly- it requires strategy, consistency, and realistic goal setting. At activ Marketing, our trained consultants understand the nuances of social media management and use the latest tools, including the revolutionary technology from Clue Labs, to help businesses achieve their marketing goals.
If you’re looking to enhance your online presence, here are 10 essential tips to help you manage your social media effectively. Remember your business’s best social media practice may vary depending on your industry, audience, and overall goal. Consider tweaking each step to get an outcome that works best for you!
1. Set Realistic Goals and Choose the Right Channels
Social media can be a powerful tool, but it’s crucial to set realistic expectations. Many businesses overcommit to too many platforms and struggle to keep up. Instead, focus on the platforms that align with your audience and industry:
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- Instagram – Ideal for visual storytelling and community engagement.
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- Facebook – Great for customer relationships and targeted advertising.
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- LinkedIn – Best for B2B networking and industry credibility.
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- TikTok – Perfect for viral content and engaging younger audiences.
If you try to do everything at once, you may feel overwhelmed and think you’ve failed. Start small and scale up as needed.
2. When to Post for Maximum Engagement (But Be Flexible!)
While there are general best times to post, these may not always be right for your specific audience. Test different times and adjust based on performance. Here’s a rough guideline:
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- Instagram – Mornings (7-9 am) and evenings (6-9 pm).
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- Facebook – Lunchtime (12-2 pm) and evenings (6-8 pm).
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- LinkedIn – Business hours (8-10 am, 12-2 pm).
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- TikTok – Afternoons and late evenings (7-11 pm).
Monitor engagement and tweak your schedule based on what works for your audience.
3. Use Different Post Types for Each Channel
Each social media platform favours different types of content. A mix of post styles will keep your content fresh and engaging:
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- Instagram – High-quality images, reels, carousels, and stories.
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- Facebook – Long-form posts, video content, and interactive polls.
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- LinkedIn – Articles, industry insights, and professional updates.
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- TikTok – Short-form videos, trending challenges, and behind-the-scenes content.
4. Be Smart About Hashtags
Hashtags can increase reach, but overuse can have the opposite effect. Use them strategically:
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- Instagram & TikTok – 5-10 highly relevant hashtags per post.
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- Facebook – 1-2 branded hashtags; avoid excessive tagging.
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- LinkedIn – 3-5 industry-related hashtags for professional reach.
5. Build Awareness Before Focusing on Sales
Social media isn’t about selling straight away – it’s about building relationships. Start by creating awareness before pushing sales:
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- Top of Funnel – Share educational content, tips, and insights.
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- Mid-Funnel – Showcase case studies, testimonials, and user-generated content.
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- Bottom of Funnel – Introduce promotions, offers, and direct sales messaging.
If your audience doesn’t trust you, they won’t buy from you.
6. Stay Consistent (But Don’t Burn Out)
Consistency is key, but don’t overcommit to an unrealistic posting schedule. A good balance may look like:
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- Instagram & Facebook – 3-5 posts per week.
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- LinkedIn – 2-3 high-value posts per week.
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- TikTok 0 4-7 short videos per week.
Remember, it’s quality over quantity. Posting less often but consistently is better than posting every day and burning out.
7. Maintain Brand Identity Across All Platforms
While each platform has its own style, your brand voice should remain consistent. Our consultants ensure:
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- A unified tone and message.
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- Cohesive visuals that align with your brand identity.
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- Content tailored to your specific audience while maintaining authenticity.
8. Be Real – Show the Highs and Lows
Audiences connect with brands that show authenticity. Share not just the successes, but also the struggles. As Caitlin, our Social Media Lead, says:
“People engage with people, not just brands. Showing the struggles and real-life challenges makes your business more relatable and trustworthy.”
9. Stay Visible – Don’t Just Post, Be Present
It’s not enough to post and disappear. Engage with your audience actively:
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- Reply to comments and messages promptly.
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- Engage with other businesses and industry leaders.
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- Collaborate with influencers and brand advocates.
The more you show up, the more likely people are to remember your brand.
10. Be Social – Interact and Engage
Social media is a two-way conversation. Our consultants ensure businesses aren’t just posting, but also engaging:
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- Instagram & Facebook – Commenting on other posts and responding to followers.
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- LinkedIn – Engaging in industry discussions to boost visibility.
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- TikTok – Dueting, stitching, and responding to trends.
Ready to Improve Your Social Media Strategy?
At activ Marketing, our trained consultants know how to help businesses grow online without overcommitting to unrealistic goals. We use cutting-edge tools and are trialling Clue Labs’ revolutionary technology to help clients achieve better results.
Want to refine your social media management strategy? Book a social media audit or strategy session with us today!
