Social media use is growing by leaps and bounds every day and popular networks like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are among some of the most crowded corners of the internet. Let’s look at some stats: ● Social media spam rose 355 percent in the first half of 2013 ● Between 5 and 11 percent of Facebook accounts are fake ● Twitter adds 11 new accounts per second every day ● YouTube users upload 48 hours of new video of every minute of each day With so much happening so quickly on social media networks, is it even possible for brands to stand out and get noticed? Yes! And it’s easier than you think with these four proven tips:

1. HOW TO BREAK
THROUGH THE
SOCIAL MEDIA
CLUTTER
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Beall

2. Social media use is growing by leaps and bounds every day and popular networks like
Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are among some of the most crowded corners of the
internet. Let’s look at some stats:
● Social media spam rose 355 percent in the first half of 2013
● Between 5 and 11 percent of Facebook accounts are fake
● Twitter adds 11 new accounts per second every day
● YouTube users upload 48 hours of new video of every minute of each day
With so much happening so quickly on social media networks, is it even possible for brands
to stand out and get noticed? Yes! And it’s easier than you think with these four proven tips:

3. • Make sure your content is a reflection of your brand’s image and tone, but don’t let the
message get lost by posting a constant stream of marketing-speak.
• Make sure you engage with followers on a personal level and let them see the personality
of your brand.
• Respond to mentions, answer questions, and talk with customers about what’s on their
mind. Use your social channels as an extension of your customer service strategy.
• Your social media fans expect to see some ads and sales messages in your timeline, but
they’ll quickly tune you out if everything you post is an attempt to part them from their
hard-earned money.
• Use data analytics to determine what’s most important to your customers and make sure
to talk about those things on social media.
• Your followers will appreciate knowing you’re tuned in to the things they care about and
not just looking to make a quick buck.
1. Keep it real.

4. People follow their favorite brands to stay on top of sales, get coupons, and find out about new
products. Smart brands maximize that attention by providing extra added value to customers
across social channels. They share tips and best practices, offer advice, and point customers
to new ways of using their product or service.
Clever brands also take the time to pen thought pieces designed to discuss or educate on
topics related to their industry.
For instance, a snack company may go viral with a thought-provoking essay on living gluten-
free or a video on how to bake delicious vegan cookies.
Be sure to give back to customers at least as much as you hope they’ll give you.
2. Give as much as you take.

5. One of the best things about achieving prominence on social media is that it allows you to
help others make connections.
Coca-Cola’s recent marketing campaign helped ease the “first day of college nerves” by
providing soft drinks with special caps to students. In order to open the beverage, people
had to walk around and find someone holding a bottle with a matching cap.
Coca-Cola filmed a campus where some machines were located and the subsequent
YouTube video has been viewed 8.8 million times. This is a fantastic example of a brand
using its social clout to bring people together and facilitate connections.
3. Help facilitate connections.
https://youtu.be/t9cmoT_wb0A

6. Not all your fans and customers favor the same social media channel so make sure you
have a presence on all the popular social networks so people can find you easily.
Remember that it’s important to take the time to create content specific to each network.
Not only do the posting Terms of Use differ from platform to platform, but users have
different expectations as well.
Your instagram followers expect to be wowed visually while your Facebook fans may
respond better to fun quizzes.
4. See and be seen.
How do you break through the social media
clutter to reach your fans and followers?
Let me know in the comments!