In just 30 days, my social media presence skyrocketed with over 1,468 unique visitors. Here's how I took my social media game to the next level:
1. Utilize Instagram's features: ⏰ Harnessing the power of Instagram's countdown and event features, I created anticipation and excitement for an upcoming market. By incorporating these features into my posts and stories, I encouraged followers to mark their calendars and join in on the fun.
2. Engage vendors: 📸 Utilizing the "Add Yours" photo feature on my Instagram story, I encouraged vendors to showcase their market prep, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. This not only boosted engagement but also strengthened connections within the local creative scene.
3. Exploit location tagging: 📍 Post reels with your city as the location and add a city-specific hashtag like #InlandEmpire to increase local visibility. For example, I shared stories, reels, and posts of my art and commentary with #HemetCalifornia. Include both the city and state because platforms like TikTok register both words individually. For example, when I search the term "California" on Tiktok, I also get recommended #HemetCalifornia in my search. Remember that stories delete after 24 hours so you want to post multiple stories throughout the month with the location and hashtag included.
4. Engage actively: 💬 Comment on posts by other artists to expose yourself to their followers. Actively like other comments to signal algorithm recognition. For instance, I left thoughtful comments on Instagram posts from @Kuzome, @Obtuse_Engel, and @Sproutmallow. I also liked the comments left by their followers as a way to engage with their audience.
5. Embrace fan interactions: 🎨 Engage with others in a sincere manner that complements your brand. As an artist specializing in pet portraits, I made fan art for my favorite Artists and YouTubers and sent physical copies. This can lead to recognition and collaborations. After creating a stunning pet portrait of @ZenspireDesigns' late cat Jack, I mailed it to them, resulting in a shoutout and increased visibility. This step requires you to be kind, be a friend, and don't expect anything in return. Be open to the idea that you might not get a response, and that's okay. Remember, authentic connections often lead to meaningful relationships and opportunities.
6. Leverage tags: 🏷️ Tag relevant brands or individuals in your posts to increase engagement. For example, I tagged @Canva in a video showcasing a custom magazine I made, and they left encouraging comments, boosting visibility.
7. Start collaborations: 🤝 Initiate projects like drawing pet portraits for local shelters to foster connections. After sharing two heartwarming portraits of shelter animals from @HavenPetCenter, they reached out to discuss a potential collaboration.
8. Attend local events: 🎪 Participate in local markets to engage with your community. Share about events, tag your location, and network with fellow creatives. By attending the @Valle.Market, I connected with local artists and shared about upcoming events.
9. Share authentic content: 🎥 Instead of pushing sales pitches, I opted for authenticity by sharing behind-the-scenes videos of market prep. By emphasizing community building and showcasing the vibrant atmosphere of the event, I attracted local support and increased customer turnout.
10. Leverage local events: 🎉 I attended a market event at El Patron Restaurant, hosted by @Valle.Market. I capitalized on their visibility by posting on Instagram with the location and accounts tagged. The restaurant's eye-catching "open to the public" light-up sign served as a beacon for potential customers during the day of the event. Try out different markets in your area. Look for managers who use vendor rent to advertise. Attend themed markets that attract your ideal audience. Use event accounts and locations to your advantage.
11. Capture Your Moment: 📸 Make the most of market days by arriving early to set up. Bring essential equipment like a tripod and portable microphone to capture key moments. I utilized my tripod to film a short video introducing my booth, mentioning the event's start, my booth number, and inviting attendees. This video was shared on my Instagram story, along with location tags, city hashtags, and tags for the market managers.
Additionally, I captured footage of my banner, merchandise, and overall display, which proved invaluable when the market managers requested vendor footage for their promotional videos post-event.
By implementing these proactive strategies, you can start mastering social media to effectively grow your online presence in 30 days and connect with like-minded individuals in your community. 🌟
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