By: Katherine Nguyen, Integrated Marketing Coordinator

In an oversaturated media landscape, how do brands grab the attention of their target audience? This might be a loaded question, but it’s one worth unpacking. With so many users occupying the digital space, it’s no wonder why people often grow tired of seeing the same thing on their social feeds.

Over the last few years, marketers and consumers alike have come to realize the value of social media. With some of the world’s largest brands like Nike and Coca-Cola using it to spread their messages and sell their products, social media is a tool that has proven itself to be the weapon of choice in the digital marketing arsenal.

Social media is here to stay and is projected to experience even greater levels of growth in the next decade. With this in mind, it’s important to figure out how we can differentiate ourselves and stand out from the crowd. To assist your brand in the quest of making your online presence known, below are three things to keep in mind when creating content to capture the attention of your audience.

Do Your Research

Research often feels like a burden, but in reality, can make or break a brand. Your first priority should be to do research on trends in your industry, your target audience’s likes and dislikes, as well as different ways to communicate your ideas to get a gauge of how your social presence stacks up. Obtain an understanding of who it is you’re talking to and how they like to receive information. Once you nail this down, you can work on crafting your message and really get down to the nitty-gritty.

In my experience, research has helped tremendously in my attempts to find content that is relevant and truly resonates. For example, during my time working as social media editor for an online magazine, an issue that I encountered on many occasions was sourcing content that aligned with the interests of our audience. Once I took the time to sit down and start my research, I was able to get an idea of the type of posts our audience wanted to see and how I could apply my knowledge to future efforts. While it might be a pain in the neck at first, research can make a huge difference in the end by providing credibility and a roadmap for your creative endeavors.

Think Outside the Box

Social media is a place that encourages innovation and creativity. The last thing you want to do is limit yourself. Whether it’s coming up with a fun twist on an otherwise mundane promotional post or incorporating trending themes into your calendar, don’t be afraid to mix things up and make an effort to flex your creative muscles during the brainstorming process.

During my time as an intern at MFG, I was tasked with developing new themes for Instagram stories. Although it took some time for me to finally nail them down, I found the challenge of brainstorming fresh ideas extremely rewarding. In the end, not only were people engaging with the posts, they were an achievement I felt proud of.

Consider its Value

What are you offering your audience with this post? Think about ways you can provide something of value to their lives. Offer sound advice, educational tidbits or insight that will pique their interest. Once your audience realizes that they derive useful information from your content, they’ll keep coming back for more.

When sourcing content for our social calendars, this is something that I try to keep top of mind at all times. If you’re providing your audience with content that they can find anywhere else; you’ve got a problem.

You’ve heard it time and time again but social media is evolving. Staying creative, unique and informed are crucial to finding success in the digital marketplace. Following these tips are simply jumping off points for you to reach your goals in creating an online image you can be proud of.