In our digital age, it is impossible for any business to ignore social media. Even in the education sector, schools and colleges are actively maintaining their social media presence. The problem though is that many businesses are treating their social media pages in a very haphazard manner and not getting any results.

This is where effective Social Media Marketing Hacks come into play. iTech’s digital marketing team works with businesses in various industries to strategically set up, optimize, and manage their social media platforms ensuring maximum engagement and growth.

15 Plausible Social Media Marketing Hacks

Here are are 15 very effective but not widely known social media marketing hacks to use in your own brand social media marketing strategy.

1.  Focus on Networks that matter for your Industry

Not every social network is suited for your business ! We have seen this often, businesses spread themselves thin because they feel they should be on every social channel. The truth is that the target audience for each network is different. For example, if you are providing security hardware solutions for other businesses then Instagram would not be your platform but LinkedIn definitely is.

Let’s look at the top social media platforms and their target audience to drive home the point that you should only focus on networks that matter for your specific industry. 

• Facebook: The 2024 data says that the audience on Fb is predominantly female, in fact over 54%. Young adults perceive Facebook as a place for older people in their 40s and 50s. So if you want to target a youthful audience then Facebook is not the best place. 
• Twitter: Like Facebook, Twitter users are also older with a higher income – 39% are between the ages of 25 to 34 years. The platform is suited for quick updates and latest news. Business with a large customer base are ideally suited to be present on Twitter because they can better engage witwith their customers. 
• Instagram: Millennials and Gen Z users dominate this platform globally. Instagram is highly visual medium and best suited for businesses in fashion, beauty, food and similar fields. The female user profiles dominate over males. 
• YouTube: YouTube users are mostly male and 95% of 18-29 year-olds and 91% of 30-49 year-olds in the U.S. use YouTube. The most popular videos are in entertainment, food, gaming, beauty, fashion, music and sports.  
• LinkedIn: If you are a school then you might not need LinkedIn. Otherwise every industry needs to have a presence on this professional platform because it is a good place to recruit candidates. If you are a B2B business then it is the only business to business social media channel available.
• TikTok: While this channel is not available in India, It is an important channel if you market outside India. It is known for its 15 second videos and so is suited for quick, quirky and very addictive content. 48% of TikTok users are below the age of 30 and if this is the demographic your business wants to reach then you should be here. 

There you have it. Every social media platform has its own unique flavour and demography. Not all businesses news to be on every one of them. Choose your platform carefully and know that the same kind of content cannot be regurgitated on all of them.

2. Leverage content creation hacks

More frequently you post, the greater will be your organic reach, This is because when you post consistently and frequently, algorithms will favor your posts. Yes, I agree that it’s not easy coming up with new content, if not everyday then at least thrice a week but there are ways to generate new content.

There are quite a few content hacks that work really well. One of them is called news hacking, this is when you take a trending news story in the media and find a way to hook your business to it. For instance during the pandemic, businesses like Dettol linked their product to safety protocols that were required. 

Another content hack is to share posts from thought leaders in your field. This way you can tag them, they will get to know you and so will their followers. Of course, memes marketing work well, there are tools that I will detail later in this article that will help you in creating your memes.

Above all, you don’t need to invent the wheel. Keep an eve on your competitors pages and see what works for them. This is called competitor modeling. See what they are doing and go a step further than them.

3. Match content to social media platforms – tools that help

You need to match your content creation to each social media network. Facebook users favor informational blog links, questions and videos. On Instagram, you should be posting high-quality, visually captivating images and stories (remember that posts cannot be linked to a website).

Twitter is for news items and updates, anything that can fit in 280 characters. YouTube favors videos that are between 6 to 8 minutes longwhile TikTok is for 15 second videos only. 

All these limitations or requirements need to be kept in mind when creating content. Most businesses have a blanket plan for almost all social platforms and that won’t work. There are many free and paid social media marketing tools that you could subscribe to make your work easier.

For give you insight on what works. For instance,

• BuzzSumo has both free (10 searches each month) and paid plans and is a good hack for businesses for content creation ideas that works in their space and use these ideas to craft new posts.
• Coschedule has some great paid features and also noteworthy free features – one of them is that CoSchedule will automatically schedule your posts on different social media platforms according to the best time to get higher visibility and engagement.

4. Use the Right Hashtags for Increased Visibility

Hashtags play a significant role in increasing the reach of your social media posts. However, using random or overly broad hashtags might not get you the engagement you desire. Instead, focus on researching and using targeted, relevant hashtags that are specific to your industry, audience, and content.

Here are some tips to use hashtags effectively:

• Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags: Popular hashtags can bring large visibility, but niche hashtags allow you to connect with your targeted audience.
• Monitor trending hashtags: Stay updated on current trends and use relevant hashtags to join larger conversations.
• Create your own branded hashtag: This can help increase your brand recognition, especially for campaigns or contests.

Tools like Hashtagify and RiteTag can help identify trending and high-performing hashtags in your industry, making your posts more discoverable.

5. Use AI-Driven Analytics for Audience Insights

Artificial intelligence tools can help you gain deeper insights into your audience’s preferences and behaviors. Platforms like Hootsuite Insights or Sprout Social use AI to analyze engagement metrics, predict trends, and provide actionable data. Leverage these insights to create personalized campaigns that resonate with your audience.

For example, AI tools can help identify the best times to post based on your followers’ activity or even suggest content topics based on trending hashtags. This data-driven approach ensures your campaigns are targeted and effective.

6. Incorporate User-Generated Content (UGC)

User-generated content is a powerful way to build trust and authenticity. Encourage your audience to share their experiences with your products or services and feature their posts on your official pages.

For instance:

• Create branded hashtags to collect UGC (e.g., #MyBrandStory).
• Offer incentives like discounts or shoutouts to encourage participation.
• Feature testimonials or reviews as carousel posts or stories.
• UGC not only reduces your content creation efforts but also acts as social proof for your brand.

7. Leverage Influencer Collaborations

Collaborating with micro and nano-influencers can yield better ROI than partnering with mega-influencers. These smaller influencers often have higher engagement rates and more authentic relationships with their followers.

• Use tools like Upfluence or Heepsy to find influencers who align with your brand values.
• Prioritize influencers within your niche for targeted outreach.
• Create collaborative campaigns like product reviews, giveaways, or live sessions.

8. Optimize for Social Commerce

With platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest offering direct shopping features, integrating social commerce into your strategy is a must. Ensure your product catalog is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate.

Here’s how to make the most of social commerce:

• Use Instagram Shopping to tag products in posts and stories.
• Enable Facebook Marketplace for local sales.
• Optimize Pinterest pins with shoppable links and compelling visuals.

9. Experiment with AR Filters and Interactive Content

Augmented reality (AR) filters and interactive polls or quizzes are excellent ways to boost engagement. AR tools allow brands to create custom filters for platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.

For example:

• Develop an AR filter that aligns with your brand (e.g., try-on filters for beauty products).
• Use Instagram Stories polls and quizzes to interact with followers while gathering valuable feedback.

10. Utilize Chatbots for Engagement

Chatbots on platforms like Facebook Messenger or Instagram Direct can provide 24/7 customer support and personalized engagement. They can assist with FAQs, recommend products, or guide users to specific content on your website.

Tools like ManyChat or Chatfuel make it easy to set up a chatbot without requiring coding skills. This automation can help nurture leads while freeing up your team’s resources.

11. Focus on Short-Form Video Content

The popularity of short-form videos on platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok continues to rise. Create engaging, bite-sized content to capture your audience’s attention.

Content ideas include:

• Quick how-to videos.
• Behind-the-scenes footage.
• Trending challenges or humorous skits.
• Use tools like InShot or Canva Video to edit videos quickly and maintain a professional appearance.

12. Experiment with Ephemeral Content

Ephemeral content, like Instagram Stories and Snapchat posts, disappears after 24 hours, creating urgency and exclusivity. This format is ideal for:

• Flash sales or exclusive discounts.
• Countdown timers for upcoming events.
• Real-time behind-the-scenes glimpses.
• This type of content feels personal and spontaneous, encouraging higher engagement.

13. Integrate Social Listening Tools

Social listening tools like Brandwatch or Mention allow you to monitor mentions of your brand or related keywords across social media.

Use this information to:

• Address customer concerns quickly.
• Identify trending topics to incorporate into your content.
• Understand audience sentiment and refine your messaging.
• Social listening also helps you stay ahead of competitors by tracking their online activity.

14. Gamify Your Campaigns

Gamification boosts engagement by introducing an element of fun and interactivity. Examples include:

• Hosting online contests or quizzes with prizes.
• Using Instagram Story stickers like polls or sliders as mini-games.
• Creating leaderboards or badges for loyal followers.
• Platforms like Woobox can help set up gamified campaigns effortlessly.

15. Cross-Promote Across Platforms

Maximize reach by cross-promoting content across multiple social media platforms. For example:

• Share TikTok videos as Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts.
• Post blog snippets on LinkedIn, directing traffic to your website.
• Use consistent branding while tailoring the format for each platform.

These strategy ensures your content gets maximum visibility without creating entirely new material for every channel.

Bonus: Free Tools Will Be Your Biggest Aid

Having your own design team might not be in your business plan, but there are numerous free social media marketing tools that can help you create various types of content. These tools can be your biggest ally in boosting your social media game, and many of them are incredibly easy to use!

Here are a few free tools that I’ve found useful for businesses looking to create engaging content on social media:

• Imageadigo: This platform offers professional image editing tools, allowing you to upload images, remove backgrounds, or even blur parts of the image.
• DaVinciResolve: A top-tier free video editing tool that helps make your videos look more professional. It’s also easy to add subtitles to videos, making them more accessible.
• Goyarn.io: A great website for content creators looking to make memes. You can search movie clips by a word or phrase, download the clip, or even create a meme directly on the platform.
• Jitter.video: A fantastic resource for creating social media posts using a variety of pre-made templates. It’s perfect for those who don’t have time for intricate design work but still need eye-catching visuals.
• Animoto and TinyTake: These desktop video creation options are excellent for creating instructional videos. TinyTake, in particular, allows you to record your screen, add captions, and upload to platforms like YouTube.

By leveraging these free tools, you can effectively create high-quality content without the need for an in-house design team. Take advantage of these resources and save both time and money while growing your brand online!

Grow your Brand with iTech

There you have it – a few Social Media Marketing Hacks to kickstart your business’s online presence. While these social media marketing hacks can make a difference, it’s important to remember that success requires time, effort, and consistent tracking of what works. The learning curve can be steep, and many businesses choose to work with experts to help manage and optimize their social media strategies. This is one of the reasons many businesses prefer to working with external experts such as iTech’s digital marketing team.

Karen Jain

Karen brings her decades-long experience in content and digital marketing to helping global brands to showcase their expertise. When she isn’t writing or caught up in being a digital marketing evangelist, you will find her passionately involved in animal rescues.