Social Media Strategy

Mar 12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTD-V2F_N8 – How to create a stand-out SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY for your small business

This guide provides a structured approach to growing on social media intentionally rather than relying on trends or algorithm tricks. The creator shares lessons from her own journey of trial and error, emphasizing the importance of a strong brand identity, clear content pillars, and strategic goal setting.

Key Lessons for Creators & Small Businesses

1. Define Your Brand Identity

A clear brand identity ensures consistency across all content. It should be a long-term statement that represents your mission, values, and purpose.
For example, her own brand identity is:
💡 "Chantal Leonart is a watercolor artist and illustrator inspiring you to connect with your inner child and chase your dreams."
Every post she creates aligns with this, ensuring recognizability across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

2. Establish Content Pillars

Content pillars are the themes that support your brand identity and help structure your content strategy. These don’t have to appear in every post, but they collectively reinforce your message.
For example, her content pillars include:
✔️ Children’s book illustration
✔️ Watercolor artistry
✔️ Studio art gallery ownership

By having clear pillars, content stays focused and valuable to the audience.

3. Set Specific Social Media Goals

Your social media goals should align with your overall business goals. Instead of posting aimlessly, ask yourself: Why are you using social media?
Some common goals include:
🎯 Selling art, products, or services
🎯 Collaborating with brands or businesses
🎯 Growing an engaged community
🎯 Educating or inspiring your audience

Once you identify your primary goal(s), break them down into specific and measurable actions—such as engagement targets, follower growth, or sales conversions.

4. Understand Your Target Audience

To create effective content, you need to know who you’re talking to. Ask yourself:
✅ Where do they live? (Local vs. global reach)
✅ What are their interests, dreams, and struggles?
✅ What type of content will make them stay and engage?

By understanding your ideal audience, you can tailor your content strategy for maximum impact.

5. Forget About "Beating the Algorithm"

One of the biggest misconceptions is that chasing the algorithm leads to success. The truth is:
🚫 If you constantly change your content to match the algorithm, your followers will get confused and disengage.
✅ Instead, focus on creating content that aligns with your social media goals and brand identity.

For example, many people advised the creator to post 5- to 7-second videos because the algorithm "favors" them. However, since her goal is to get people emotionally invested in her art journey, short videos wouldn’t serve her purpose. Instead, her most viral videos—over a minute long—contradict the so-called "algorithm rules."

👉 The key takeaway: Instead of blindly following trends, create content that aligns with your long-term vision. If your content is consistent and engaging, the algorithm will eventually favor you.

6. Consistency Matters More Than Trends

📌 The real algorithm hack is consistency.
📌 If you stick to a content format and style that resonates with your audience, social media platforms will reward you.
📌 If the algorithm's preferences happen to match your goals, great! But don’t force your content to fit an algorithm that constantly changes.

Content Creation

Creating engaging content follows a structured format: Hook → Value → Call to Action (CTA).

Hook (3-5s): Captures attention through visuals, text, or audio. Strong hooks ensure viewers stay engaged.
Value: The core content, which can be educational, entertaining, or inspiring.
Call to Action (CTA): Encourages an action, either explicitly (e.g., "Follow for more") or subtly (e.g., embedded in captions).

Types of Content:

Day in the Life: Builds transparency and trust.
One-Shots: Single-take videos drive quick engagement.
Behind-the-Scenes: Adds depth to your brand.
Storytelling: Creates emotional connections, increasing audience investment.

Filming & Editing Essentials:

Lighting: Natural light is best; avoid cluttered backgrounds.
Audio Quality: More critical than visuals—affordable clip-on microphones work well.
Camera Setup: iPhones (back camera) can produce high-quality content without needing expensive equipment.
Tripods: Essential for steady shots; different types (standard, overhead, magnetic) offer flexibility.
Aesthetic Consistency: Stick to a uniform font, color scheme, and clean visuals for a polished brand presence.

This strategy ensures visually appealing, engaging content that resonates with your audience and drives results.