As a social media marketer, you know how important it is to create engaging and relevant content for your audience. But with so many tools and platforms available, how do you keep up with the latest trends and features? Here are some tips to help you stay on top of the game and discover new ways to enhance your content creation skills.
One of the best ways to learn about new tools and techniques is to follow the people who use them effectively. Whether it's a blog, a podcast, a newsletter, or a YouTube channel, find some reliable sources of information and inspiration that cover the topics you're interested in. For example, if you want to learn more about video editing, you can follow some of the top video creators and see how they use different software and apps. You can also engage with them and ask questions or share feedback.
Marketing is an industry that's always evolving. To stay ahead of the curve it's important for us to keep upskilling and know & follow what's trending. My all-time favourite way to make sure I follow the industry trends is by following the industry experts. I do this by: - Reading their blogs - Subscribing to their newsletters, - Watching their YouTube videos, and - Listening to their podcasts. I find that podcasts are a great way to learn about marketing trends and strategies, as they often feature conversations between experts that cover topics from beginner to expert levels. I also attend LIVE events hosted by industry experts, which gives me the opportunity to ask questions and learn from the best.
When a journalist reaches out to you for a comment on the work she’s done to provide information from everyone on a project team, don’t reply with a blanket statement that says, “we don’t talk to the press” and instructions “not to quote anyone from x company” when I was at an event where a representative from your company expressed some really interesting ways the team solved the challenges. Ok, you just not only pissed me off, I’ve deleted all the positive quotes and passed that sentiment along to my editor. It’s a competitive environment for talent and your employees actually like being recognized for the work they’re doing. Of course, anyone reading this article probably knows better because they understand the value of PR.
Another way to stay updated and network with other content creators is to join online communities that are relevant to your niche and goals. You can find groups and forums on platforms like Facebook, Reddit, LinkedIn, or Quora, where you can ask for recommendations, share tips, and get feedback on your work. You can also join online courses, webinars, or workshops that teach you how to use specific tools or improve your skills. These are great opportunities to learn from experts and peers, and to discover new tools and features.
Of course, the best way to learn is by doing. So don't be afraid to experiment with different tools and see what works for you and your audience. You can use free trials, demos, or tutorials to test out different features and functionalities. You can also compare different tools and see how they differ in terms of pricing, usability, quality, and support. You can also ask for feedback from your audience and see how they respond to your content. By experimenting, you can find out what suits your style, budget, and goals.
Finally, you need to track your results and see how your content performs on different platforms and channels. You can use analytics tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, or YouTube Analytics to measure your reach, engagement, conversions, and other metrics. You can also use tools like BuzzSumo, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to analyze your competitors and see what kind of content they create and how they rank. By tracking your results, you can identify what works and what doesn't, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Content creation is a dynamic and evolving field, so you need to keep learning and improving your skills. You can do this by reading blogs, books, or magazines, watching videos, listening to podcasts, or taking courses. You can also attend events, conferences, or workshops, where you can network with other professionals and learn from their experiences. You can also seek feedback from your mentors, colleagues, or clients, and see how you can improve your content quality and delivery. By keeping learning and improving, you can stay ahead of the curve and create amazing content for your audience.
To follow the ongoing trends on social media, it is also important to attend webinars and Summits that the media platform hosts on regular basis. These Summits are a great to get a sneak peak on what are the latest innovations each platform is focusing/investing on as an organization.