Social media: The new powerful branding tool. Companies are running out to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and the like trying to harness their influence. Some have ideas of how to use it, many don’t. I think where many marketers and brands get confused is where they think the power comes from.
Social media power lies in dependence.
This means your audience must be dependent on you/your brand/your online messaging. Is your content alluring? New? Original?
Like The Crack Of The Whip
Your content has to be smart. Sharp. Quick. It has to have the power to make us snap our heads around and click that link. There are a few things you can do that will ensure this happens:
- Provide us with valuable information
- Solve our problems (as they pertain to your brand/services/products)
- Please us with original visual elements
- Make us laugh; entertain us
- Provoke thoughts, feelings and opinions – aka: reasons for us to comment and share
- Use a CTA (call to action) with every piece of content you publish
Quality (I’m Fresh)
Clearly it’s going to take quality content to make people feel the need to keep coming back. This is why I loathe memes and quotes. While Robert Frost is a beautiful (and my favorite) poet, sharing his quote meme for the umpteenth time isn’t valuable, doesn’t solve the B2 community’s problems, isn’t genuine, and therefore cannot be considered “quality”.
Yes, funny memes and inspirational quotes might provoke those thoughts and feelings you’re looking for, but at what cost? Do you really feel that your community will become dependent on your social sites based on this level of posting? Or better yet, that they’ll convert to paying customers because you’re “funny”?
Your best bet is to use mass shared memes sparingly. Here’s a clue: Create your own, brand centric memes. If you’re a lyrical Jesse James (killing it – as SNAP touts), coin your own quotes and use those.
Bottom line, be ORIGINAL.
Copy Written Lyrics
We’ve written about plagiarism before, but it seems to be something that some people can’t get through their thick heads. I repeat:
If you didn’t write it; if it’s not a thought from your head; if you didn’t create it (as in the visual, picture or video); you need to cite your sources.
Not doing so makes you a THIEF. A stealer. A very bad, no good person. Yes, even copying and pasting is plagiarism – and you should STOP IT NOW! Yes, even going out to Google Images and finding the perfect picture for your post may be considered copyright infringement, so instead try using sites like:
It’s Getting’ Kinda Hectic
As more companies, brands and marketing and sales messages hit social media feeds the noise will become deafening. The only way you will continue to be able to harness the power of social media is to ensure your online communities depend on your messaging.
Creating that perfect mix of messaging is up to you. You’ll either work hard to figure it out, or you’ll end up using social media as watered down medium that returns no tangible results. Boo.
GO GET THE POWER!
See you in the social sphere!
Latest posts by Brooke B. Sellas (See All)
- Ready To Find Your Marketing Magic? Take Our Quiz! - November 19, 2025
- Social Media Customer Psychology: Understanding Expectations Elevates Social Care - November 12, 2025
- Seeking A Social Media Mentor? How To Find The Right One To Help You Boost Results That Matter - November 5, 2025
