4 Keys to Winning at Social Media In 2019

Video: Unlock better marketing results and greater influence with these key points for social media success. 

There’s no doubt that social media was one of the dominant forces of the past year. But how can you use it more constructively in the year ahead? Whether you want to build your personal brand or your business, it’s time for social media to get more honest and purposeful. It’s not about projecting an idealized, perfect version of yourself. And it’s not constantly trying to sell, sell, sell. Neither will resonate with the people you need to engage with to truly succeed.

The goal is to share your truth and attract your ideal audience. These four keys can help you unlock influence and improve your marketing results.

1. Authorship that serves your audience

Write a compelling story. (Or collaborate with your content team or agency to craft it.) The trick is to frame your narrative in a way that mirrors the problems of your ideal customers. What pain points are they dealing with? Start by describing an example and then explain the unique solution you’ve seen in action.

Whether it’s an article on LinkedIn, a blog post, or a dedicated landing page on your company site, you must have a distinct point of view. It is critical for you to create unique and meaningful long-form content that helps your target market achieve their desired transformation. What change do you actually help create for your customers? Don’t make the mistake of assuming that talking about your product or service will do all the work. Your words must serve before you can sell.

2. Video is the most compelling medium

We live a world filled with an average of 5000 brand impressions per day. Unread emails flood our inboxes. No wonder the average attention span has shrunk to just 8.25 seconds. But, movement still grabs attention. Our eyes are drawn to video. Short, well-produced video content has stopping power. It brings a human element to the digital world. This is not new news, but video continues to grow in importance.

3. Headlines that can’t be ignored

Copywriters and editors will tell you that you should spend 50% of your time writing your content and the other 50% writing your headline. If the headline isn't compelling, it doesn't matter how perfect your prose. Learn how to be interesting in 6 words. Use action verbs and intriguing phrases that promise a clear payoff.

4. Alignment with your values

What impact are you having with your words? How much purpose are you putting into your digital life? As Artificial Intelligence begins to auto-complete our sentences and algorithms auto-populate our social feeds based on our previous usage, it is more important than ever to act with purpose online. Think very carefully about the world you want to live in and what you believe in, because now is the time to narrate (note: I didn't' say navigate nor curate) the digital landscapes we spend so much time in. Seek clarity about your values and your purpose. Be sure that everything you add to the online conversation contributes to the betterment of this world. Walk the walk and type the type!

This year, I intend to use my voice on social to help people step into their full potential and use their work to bless the world. How about you? What would you (or will you) say to the world when you unleash your social leadership? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

Dacia Coffey is a writer, speaker, marketing strategist, and CEO of The Marketing Blender, a full-service B2B marketing agency focused on aligning marketing and sales to accelerate revenue growth.