If you are looking for tips on how to grow on social media, one of the answers is to post consistently. But what does that really mean? Why is it so important? And how can you actually post in a consistent way? In this blog we will answer all of these questions!
What is consistency?
Being consistent on social media means you have a regular and same way of posting content. It means that you are consistently showing up for your audience and providing them with valuable content on a regular basis.
You could split the definition in two parts:
Post regularly Posting regularly means you show up according a consistent schedule. Consistency must not be confused with frequency. Frequency is a measure of how often you post and being consistent is about sticking to that frequency. If you decide to post something on a daily basis, you only work in a consistent way if you follow it through. If your schedule does not allow you to post that often or you simply do not have the content, you could decide to post less. The frequency also depends on the platform. For some social media platforms it is better to post at least 2 or 3 times a week, while for others it can be less. As long as you keep being consistent in the amount of times you post there.
Share a consistent message Consistency can also refer to the overall look and feel of your social media profiles. Using consistent branding, imagery, and messaging across all your social media platforms can help establish a strong and recognizable brand identity, which can further help build trust and loyalty among your followers. Your identity needs to shine through all your on- and offline messages. Sharing your values and unique personality in a consistent way, helps to create a strong position in the minds of other people.
In short, consistency in social media means showing up regularly with quality content that aligns with your brand's messaging and values, and presenting a cohesive brand image across all social media platforms.
Why is consistency important?
Consistency on social media is important because it helps to build and maintain your brand identity and credibility. By consistently posting high-quality content, quickly responding to comments and messages, and using a consistent tone of voice, you create a reliable and recognizable presence online. This consistency can help to establish trust with your audience, which can lead to increased engagement, more followers, and ultimately, more (business) opportunities.
In addition, being consistent on social media also helps you to stay top of mind with your audience. With so many other accounts and distractions online, it's easy for people to forget about your brand if you're not regularly engaging with them. By maintaining a consistent presence, you increase the chances that your audience will remember you and they are more likely to engage with your content.
Finally, consistency on social media is important for the findability of your personal brand. Search engines like Google value consistency and frequency when ranking websites and social media profiles. The same applies for most social media algorithms, who are more likely to show your content to their users if you are more consistent. By regularly posting high-quality content and engaging with your audience, you can improve your search engine rankings and make it easier for your audience to find you.
Tips on how to post consistently on social media
We have learnt that being consistent on social media is key to grow your brand awareness and engage with your audience, But how do you do that?
Choose the right platforms: Start by identifying which social media platforms your target audience uses the most. It's better to focus on a few platforms and post consistently than to try to be active on every platform and struggle to keep up.
Set clear content goals: Before you can create consistency, you need to know what types of content you want to create and why. Make sure it is content you are willing to create and fits your identity, because if you don't enjoy making it, you won't be able to stay consistent.
Create a content calendar: Planning ahead is key. Create a content calendar for your social media posts and include a mix of different types of content (such as images, videos, blog posts, or infographics) and topics.
Use a scheduling tool: There are several social media scheduling tools available that can help you plan and schedule your posts in advance. Some popular options include Hootsuite, Buffer, and Later.
Post regularly: The frequency of your posts will depend on the platform and your audience. Consistency is more important than frequency. Stick to a schedule that you can realistically maintain.
Repurpose content: Some content can be used for different social media platforms. For example, you can use a game photo of your Instagram account on LinkedIn to point out an interesting event or moment of that particular game.
Engage with your audience: Social media is a two-way conversation. Don't just post content, but also take the time to engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages.
By following these tips, you can create a consistent social media posting schedule that will help you grow your audience and build a strong online presence.
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