What are the best ways to use social media for industry news?

Choosing the right social media platforms for industry news is paramount. Tailor your selection to your target audience and content type. Consider engagement levels, competition, available resources, adaptability, and integration with other channels. It's a strategic decision that ensures your industry news reaches the right people and is presented in the most effective way. Stay adaptable, measure your performance, and aim for an integrated approach to maximize your impact.

Fortune favours the brave. But if you pick the wrong channel, you can always move. You’re not a tree. Apparently you have to add more than 125 characters to get one of these replies published.

From my personal experience with my brand, Issued Magazine, I found that traditional ways of relaying information via social media just doesn't work. The best way to use social media for industry news is by promoting it in a new and eye catching way. I've personally found that TikTok swipe posts and stories perform the best for this reason. (It also reaches the widest audience)

Effectively using social media for industry news involves several strategies. Start by following relevant accounts, such as industry leaders, news outlets, and thought leaders, to ensure you have a steady stream of updates in your feed. Creating lists or groups can help you organize your network. Utilizing industry-specific hashtags and customizing notifications for key accounts or groups can ensure you receive immediate updates on important news. Joining industry groups on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook can also provide a wealth of industry-related information and discussions. Finally, staying updated on trending topics and participating in relevant conversations will help you stay current and connected in your industry.

To use social media for industry news effectively, follow industry leaders, join industry groups, customize your feed with keywords and accounts, set up alerts, engage in discussions, use relevant hashtags, subscribe to newsletters, create lists of industry accounts, attend virtual events, and share your insights. Ensure the credibility of sources to stay well-informed and build your professional reputation.

Additionally, participate actively in industry-specific online forums and groups. Engaging in discussions can provide valuable insights and lead you to lesser-known but highly knowledgeable sources.

Don't underestimate the power of niche podcasts or webinars within your industry. These platforms often feature experts and thought leaders sharing the latest news and trends in a format that's easy to consume on the go.

Using aggregator tools or apps can help you save time by ensuring you get the news from reputable sources. When in doubt, you could evaluate the credibility of your source by checking their track record and whether they cite credible references. Stay updated by assessing your sources and making adjustments if needed. Your needs and the industry will keep on evolving, and the best sources may shift over time. This is why regularly reevaluating your approach is crucial.

To truly stand out in the social media news landscape, don't just follow the big players; hunt for the hidden gems. Seek out lesser-known but highly knowledgeable individuals who provide unique insights. Engage with them genuinely, perhaps even by sharing their content with your own thoughtful commentary. By championing these underrepresented voices, you not only diversify your knowledge base but also foster a more inclusive industry discourse.

Most of the social platforms take your engagement as a key indicator, so while lists and bookmarks are great check-ins as you can't always trust the algorithms 100%... simply making sure you regularly like, comment, or share things from your favorite sources, then they will be more likely to show up first in your feeds.

Most people don't take advantage of the ability to follow hashtags on social media! This is a much easier way to get the latest on what's happening without having to follow specific people.

Engagement is just as important! You don't always have to write your own content. Leaving a comment will bring the post back to people's feed, same for liking a post. Including your insights on an article that is circulating heavily in the industry is just as helpful. You want to establish yourself as a trusted source.

Beyond the typical likes and shares, aim for meaningful interactions. Imagine you're attending a conference: participate actively in discussions, ask questions, and offer your unique perspective. This kind of engagement not only expands your network but also positions you as an industry thought leader.

I've learned that having something of value to say is often what gets to "invited" to conversations worth joining! Like I mentioned above, good content is few and far between (so it stands out).

An example of this would be if a real estate agency started posting monthly property market updates. Keeping their followers engaged with the latest figures, updates and any news regarding the area's market would establish them as industry experts.

Choose content over aesthetic content. While a great design looks pretty doesn’t mean it will convert. Do your research and find out what people need and then create the content accordingly.

Think of your social media presence as your stage to contribute to the industry chorus. Share your experiences, but also your anecdotes and personal anecdotes that can shed light on industry trends. Don't just be an echo; be the unique melody that sets the tone.

In my early days of using social media for industry news, I mainly shared text-based updates. But when I saw a surge in visual content popularity, I decided to experiment with video and data visualization. The result? A significant boost in engagement and shares, proving the importance of adapting to evolving content preferences on social media.

Many people find a "recipe" that works for their social media and keep going with the same type of content. The platforms (and the ability of each platform) changes, the audience wants and needs a different type of stimulation, and well let's face it as humans we sometimes get bored and want something different. We all need to keep measuring what is currently working and change with the times. Just because something was all the rage 6 months ago doesn't mean it still applies (but sometimes it does). Study your own content, do what works, and check it again every month.

Honestly, when it comes to consuming industry news and insights on social media, you should always be mindful. Don't take what you see as gospel, and ALWAYS verify with other sources.

When I consult my clients I advocate for network diversity. I advise my clients to follow thought leaders and media outlets on LinkedIn that both affirm and conflict with their current beliefs. Only by including divergent opinions within our media mix can we truly break out of echo chambers and make informed perspectives and opinions.

If you're going to post about news, especially topics that can be highly emotive in your industry, always, always, always include your sources somewhere on the content or in the copy!

Join Industry-Specific Groups. Participating in industry-related groups or communities on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. These groups are dedicated to sharing news, trends, and discussions relevant to your field.