The days before Facebook were so much simpler. Now there is another platform on which to market your business. Something which is seen by customers and potential customers 24/7. An outlet which allows constant communication between a company and its followers and requires a very regular and considered approach.
In the grand scheme of things, it is pretty simple to produce one off designs for things such as leaflets, company brochures, or even your website. On the other hand, producing this sort of creative marketing material on a daily, if not hourly basis is challenging!
However, visually branding your Facebook posts can help you stand out more from the competition. It makes what you are doing unique, and it familiarises your brand with your followers.
There are many considerations to be made. This is our take on things:
- Keep a balance: It can be very difficult to get the right balance between selling to your followers and engaging with your followers. This is where relationships are defined. I am not sure about you, but I certainly don’t like to be sold to. I tend to avoid those slightly irritating hardcore sales people. Therefore creating posts that both connect with your followers, but still help your followers to recognise ‘who you are’ is incredibly valuable. Don’t become that ‘irritating sales person’.
- Who are you?: As with any form of marketing, it is essential to get across who you. There is no better place than on Social Media. Branding is not just about a logo. Getting across your personality in a Facebook post, or the values of the company in a Tweet, whilst engaging people is a very valuable tool. It personalises your business.
- Colours & Fonts: I refer again to my point above about branding not just being about a company logo. Branding is everything about your company, and by simply incorporating your colours and fonts into your posts, its makes you more recognisable. Remember though – just because you incorporate colours and fonts, doesn’t mean you need to sell!
- Filters?: I read a blog recently that suggested using a considered set of filters on any brand photos. To be fair, it makes sense. We all take photos. Creating a consistent look about your posts helps you get across who you are to your followers. Do you want to come across as ‘inspiring’? Use a vibrant filter! Saturate your photos and brighten up those colours!
- Standardise things, but mix things up: Time for me to mess with your head! Yes I really have totally contradicted myself there, I know. But I am sort of right. Creating a template for certain posts (offers, announcements, competitions etc…) will help you to become instantly recognisable. On the other hand, mix things up on occasions. Don’t bore your followers. Suitably confused?
Social Media is not going away, as much as some of us wish it would at times (did I really say that?!). However using it in the correct way can do wonders for your brand. A recent post on ‘Mashable’ reported that 57% of marketers do not believe that Facebook has any effect on a business. Thankfully I am not one of those people. However I do think that your posts need to be carefully thought through.
Next time you are planning your Facebook and Twitter posts, think about how you can incorporate your company branding. You don’t have to be that annoying Sales Person anymore.
The onefoursix Social Media Management team work on a daily basis to produce creative and thought-through posts for our customers Social Media channels, without over selling. If you wish to find out more about us and how we work, please do not hesitate to contact the team on 01604 779035.
