Social media is now more than two decades old, and like it or not, it’s become an integral part of our modern lifestyle. Almost everyone with access to the internet—from your former classmates to your 80-year-old neighbor—has a social profile.

Not only are more people utilizing social media, but users are also spending more and more time scrolling through posts. According to Statista, the average person spends about 153 minutes on social platforms—an increase of 60 minutes from 5 years ago. With a record-breaking number of participants across a wide range of social networks, social media is a marketing must, but if you’re not able to offer your viewers something new, exciting, or worth engaging with, you’ve just lost your social currency.

That being said, if you’re fresh out of ideas for your next social campaign, the experts at Millennium Agency have just the thing: five creative content ideas for your social media platforms.

Blog Posts

Blogging is a content marketing no-brainer. Blogging establishes you as a thought leader in your industry, helps with your SEO, and provides content for your social campaign. Promoting your blog on social media will entice viewers to read your blog, browse your website, and perhaps become a future customer.

Cross-promote your blog posts on each social network and tailor your message to the audience you are intending to reach. For example, on LinkedIn you might promote your blog to business associates using different wording than you would on Twitter, which has a 280-character limit. Instagram is image-focused, so you’d need to post a captivating photo along with a link to your blog.

Hashtags

Hashtags are a great way to label your content and make it discoverable by other people and businesses. Initially, hashtags were most widely used on Twitter, but they are now common on other social platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Companies can use hashtags to participate in internet trends such as #ThrowbackThursday or #tbt as it is also known. Showcase that your business has longevity by posting pictures of your company’s old headquarters or have a little fun by posting staff baby photos. You can research trending hashtags on Twitter and, if they have crossover with your business, create a social post to capitalize on the trend.

Many businesses also create their own hashtag social campaigns. By creating a one-of-a-kind hashtag specific to your business or event, you can create brand awareness and promote your events.

User-Generated Content

The internet is chock-full of user-generated content (UGC), which is defined as videos, texts, images, reviews, or any content created by people and not brands. Instagram is saturated with UGC, and many Instagrammers will tag the product (and/or company) they are using in their post, making it searchable by others. UGC social campaigns often start as branded hashtag campaigns and/or contests that spark more likes, comments, posts, and engagement with your company.

Make sure to ask for permission before using any UGC in your social campaign and be sure to credit the user in your post. A well-executed UGC campaign will help potential customers identify, like, and trust your brand.

Social Media Influencers

You can also pay social media influencers—users who have established credibility within a defined industry, have access to a large audience, and can persuade others to buy things based on their recommendations—to promote your product or company. Influencers can be celebrities as well as bloggers and entrepreneurs.

If you find an influencer that is already engaged with your target audience and has a large following, he or she can an easily and quickly expand your reach with a few simple posts.

Contests and Giveaways

Running a social media contest is an ideal opportunity to promote your brand organically with a minimal social budget. Some simple contest ideas include asking your followers to:

• Like and comment on your post.
• Share or re-tweet your post.
• Tag a friend (or friends) in the post comments section.
• Write a caption for a photo you post.

Make sure to include the entry deadline and any rules or guidelines in your contest post.

Creating a social campaign can be a daunting task. The team of digital experts at Millennium Agency can help you grow your online community and drive traffic to your website with a comprehensive social media campaign strategy. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you plan, create, launch, and manage a successful social promotion.

About Millennium Agency

Millennium Agency is a national, award-winning, digital, creative, content/PR, and video marketing firm. With offices in Boston and New Hampshire, our team unites creative branding and data analytics to accelerate our clients’ growth, while combining our clients’ vision with our marketing expertise to increase sales opportunities and drive brand success. From video advertising and web design to social media and PR, Millennium can guide your marketing efforts every step of the way. Contact the professionals at Millennium Agency to learn more!

Linda Fanaras is the CEO and Founder of Millennium Agency (www.mill.agency) located in Manchester, NH and Boston. She can be reached at 877-873-7445 or lfanaras@mill.agency.