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6 social media marketing strategies to watch in 2022, some you may know and others might surprise you. Let’s dive right in!

1) Video - You’ve heard me preach about this time and time again, but video is huge and will just continue to just grow. Instagram is still pushing reels like crazy! Though, maybe you noticed Instagram got rid of the “IGTV” and the spot it was in your profile/wall. Well, now that spot is just simply video. Take a look, you maybe notice all your old videos and boomerangs from your feed now lumped together there, (it’s next to your reels section before tagged posts). But, really! Video, Video, Video! 90% reels in my feed, it’s almost weird to see still image in the feed these days.

2) DMs - Create connections in those DMs, get to know your followers. Show up, so they know you’re a real person, not another spambot just trying to get their money.

3) Perfectionism is Out! Be authentic!!! No perfect feed! No perfect makeup and hair! Days of color-coded aesthetics are out. IG wants people to show up and be real. *Photographers, still stay true to your eye and aesthetics, clearly you are not the same, but still show up in video as the real you. Show that behind the scenes.

4) AR/VR - So IG/FB aka “Meta” owns Oculus (VR Headset) this is a shift to tie that in. I’m also not an expert in this space yet, but Ive heard they are hoping to be a space for virtual meetings, like one step closer to in-person than zoom chats could be. This maybe is your chance to launch an app? Or maybe like the artists selling those skins? Or NFTs? Bitcoin? Like I said, not my specialty, but it’s coming. In fact, when I recently purchased my new glasses through Zenni Optical, they have a feature that uploading a selfie along with some measurements gives you a pretty clear idea of what your glasses purchases will look like before they arrive.

5) User-Generated Content (UGC) - Get your users and followers to generate content for you. As a business using client/influencer/user-based content is the way of reaching your sales audience in another authentic way, sharing other people’s voices and opinions, examples of your products out in the world. Just a great way to meet new target audiences as well.

6) Memes/Gifs - Yes, I just said “memes,” lol, but video or static, these are the way! They have been the way for a long time and that won’t be going away anytime soon. Memes and gifs are great conversation starters, great for creating feedback, interaction, and shares. So how can you meme? (Don’t worry I plan to bring in a specialist in this area for a talk soon.)

In short, at this point, it’s highly unlikely it’s just you in your line of business, even if you are in a niche market, so you gotta step up and lean into what your superpower is in 2022. Are you wondering what your “superpower” is? Easy, it’s being you! No one else like you and you want to create that connection that begs for sales. Show up, show your face, be in those videos/reels/stories! And, make sure to keep an eye out in the EFF Facebook group for more live trainings for all 6 of these growing media options.

Disclosure: This site may contain affiliate links. Your clicks or use come to no extra expense for you. Though, I may receive a commission if you purchase from them.

Video is so necessary for social media these days! Let me help you with a few dos and don’ts to get you in front of the camera and sharing in no time!

• Do make eye contact. Look into the camera, not at yourself.

• Don’t speak to everyone in your recorded videos. You want to speak directly to your ICA.

• Do DANCE it OUT! This will help you loosen up and get your energy up!

• Don’t forget about lighting! Face a window, get some natural light, and get a ring light.

• Do get straight to the point. Live it’s ok to wait for people to pop on, but when it comes to stories and recorded videos grab their attention immediately, especially with reels.

• Do keep your camera stabilized, seems like a no-brainer, but this helps you also come across as more professional.

• Don’t talk about your appearance! Really don’t bring negative attention to yourself. Don’t fidget with your hair. Be Confident!…even if you aren’t, just remember, practice makes perfect.

• Do watch for clutter in the background. You don’t want it so plain and boring, but clutter is just distracting and it’s easy to avoid.

• Don’t forget about Closed Captioning! *Especially in IG Stories. I believe TikTok is also releasing a captioning feature too. Though there doesn’t appear to be a way in lives yet on FB, IG, or TT.

• Do create an outline beforehand. Not a script that you have to follow, but a points outline that is easy to shim if you get stuck or nerves hit. Doing this will help with some of the pre-video anxiety.

• Do NOT make it all about YOU! Focus on your ICA. You want them to relate and feel like you get them.

• Do fill the frame. Get yourself nice and close to the camera, it reads as “more confident.”

• Don’t let the fear fuel you. As I said before the more you do it the easier it gets, so get past caring about what people think, jump in and do it!

• Don’t date yourself. AKA no “Happy Monday” kind of statements, you want your post to be evergreen and relatable no matter what day the viewer comes across it.

• Do pay attention to your sound. Use your outside voice. Use those mic earbuds or just upgrade your mic. Eliminate distracting noises, even if that means being in a closet or with something to absorb the echoes.

Do you have any tips I missed? Drop them in the comments below. I hope this helped you and I can’t wait to see you show up in video soon!

GIVEAWAY! Who doesn’t love a good giveaway!?! But, how do you run one and how do you make it help your business? Well, first, use Instagram! It’s way more hoops to jump through and what not on Facebook, also the legal (which I’ll cover later) is easier on IG. Now, let’s get into The Good & Bad of Instagram Giveaways. All the types and what must do steps to take.

The 4 types of Instagram Giveaways:

1. Large - Connected to 20-40 other IG accounts

2. Loop - 15-20 other accounts

3. Collab - Just a few accounts

4. Self - Just you, just the one.

The “Pros and Cons”-

• Large just isn’t as popular. It has a HUGE prize, like trips, but only 1 Winner. Costs about $100 per account participating. Can gain about 1000+ followers, but you may see a loss in engagement and not be targeting your ICA (Ideal Client Avatar).

• Loop is just as titled. A lower cost to participate, works more like a team effort. Follow this account -> Follow -> Follow -> Until back to the first account, hence “Loop.” Typically prizes like gift cards.

• Collab giveaways are good for sharing audience and exposure. Good for teaming up with accounts with similar ICA and branding. Bundle deal of each crafter/artist/shop’s products or a prize that would attract the group’s ICAs.

• Self is pretty self explanatory (no pun intended). Just what you think your ICA would want or what fits your brand. Not the biggest reach and not a ton of traction. But this does work for your followers, your existing ICA’s to bring in potential IG accounts of friends and family with similar interest and may match your ICA.

With each giveaway you want to have a Goal or Outcome in mind. Are you doing this for Product Recognition or for more Followers? Because that can be your deciding factor. Product recognition, easy on self hosted. Want more followers? Think “The Bigger the Price the More People.” Word of Caution though, remember followers do not equal engagement ratings. Make sure to check out who you are teaming up with for branding and ICA in followers.

For prizes, keep your location and shipping in mind. Gift cards are easiest to ship and a easy go to in the US seems to be things like Starbucks. Think what works for you and your ICA.

Now that you’ve probably narrowed down what type of giveaway here are your ways to pull of that giveaway successfully:

• In the caption be very clear about the criteria.

Example give exact easy steps-

1. Follow

2. Like

3. Tag 2 friends in Comments

4. Share in Stories

   Etc.

• Set a Time Limit. Somewhere between 3-7 Days. 3 Being the least. 7 being the longest. Don’t want followers to forget or feel like it’s far of that they won’t win (unless it’s like the Larger Giveaways, that may take longer).

• Don’t forget your Legal Blurb! It’s not only important, but is required.

This is the blurb that I have used in the past: (Feel free to copy it)

Giveaway open until (X) date and a winner will be drawn on stories at 12pm PST.

This is in no way sponsored, administered or associated with Instagram, Inc. or any of the brands. By entering, participants confirm they are above (legal age) years old and release Instagram and all brands and participants of all responsibility and agree to Instagram's terms of use. Void where prohibited by law, no purchase necessary.

If you are a rule person, you can read them directly from IG here: https://help.instagram.com/179379842258600

• Be Clear on how the Winner will be Announced. Will you “DM if chosen,” “Tag in the Comments,” or “Tag in Stories”? My method is using Comment Picker. I record it and share the video via stories with a tag and a congratulations to the Winner. Also, update caption to reflect giveaway is “Closed.”

After your giveaway is all wrapped up, if it does not make sense in your feed anymore archive it about 5-7 days later.

All ready to go? Let me know if you are running a giveaway and I would love to support you!

xoxo