As a firm believer in the power of authentic brand building, I've always been on the lookout for new perspectives and strategies to enhance my approach to social media. Although it's not my go-to marketing strategy, and I’ve had a bit of a love-hate relationship with it over the years, I recognize its potential in building your brand attraction and connection.

Today on the podcast, I’m excited to share a recent conversation I had with Blair Mlotek, the co-founder of Cleo Social, where we talked more about her love of social media and how she supports her clients.

This was such a fascinating conversation and I felt like Blair was speaking my language on topics of authenticity, repurposing, and building connections.

Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:

The 2024 social media trends that Blair and I are most excited about and how you can use them to your benefit as an online marketer.
Blair’s top tips for planning your social media content efficiently and effectively.
The importance of building community on social media and how Blair suggests getting started.

**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!

For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 117 now.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY | LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS | LISTEN ON YOUTUBE

The Art of Repurposing Content

Repurposing content isn't just a strategy; it's a philosophy that we have at Brandmerry. Blair and I geeked out over the creative ways to refresh and distribute content across platforms, emphasizing the importance of mcaintaining your brand's voice while sharing different aspects of your brand and personality.

Remember, repurposing is not merely recycling old content; it's about breathing new life into it and adjusting its purpose.

Blair shared how her agency masters this art, ensuring that every piece of content, whether a tweet, post, or video, aligns with the brand's voice and goals.

Building Meaningful Connections on Social Media

Both Blair and I agree that creating a space where your audience feels seen and heard can dramatically amplify your brand's impact. We chatted about strategies such as creating dedicated groups or channels on social media, encouraging authentic interactions, and creating a sense of belonging among your audience.

Blair shared a major emphasis on building genuine connections on social media in 2024, and her perspective of using social media not just as broadcasting channels but as forums for real, meaningful interactions reminded me of the true essence of "social" media.

I struggle with it too, since I don’t want to spend a lot of time on the platforms myself, but I loved Blair’s emphasis on this.

Strategic Content Planning for Social Media Content

Blair let us in on the goods and outlined her approach to content planning for social media.

She really stressed a balanced approach to planning that includes both meticulously planned content and room for spontaneous, trend-driven posts. This method ensures your social media feeds remain fresh, relevant, and engaging without becoming overwhelming.

Tune into the full episode to hear the step-by-step process Blair follows with her clients.

Embrace the Changes in Social Media Marketing

We also touched on the importance of understanding and adapting to the frequent changes of each social media platform. This includes making sure that each platform has its very own strategy since each social media platform requires different levels of frequency and engagement.

It’s important to remember that each platform holds its own purpose in your bigger content strategy and marketing plan. Inside Brandmerry Academy, we teach how to master individual platforms like YouTube, blogging, Google, Pinterest, and Podcasting, but it’s also so important to not lump every social media platform together into one strategy if you want to find success.

Remember not only is every platform different, but there is no one-size-fits-all in social media marketing and it’s important to find the planning process and system that works best for you.

CONCLUSION

My goal this year was to change the way I view and approach social media marketing. While I’m still not going to use it as my main marketing strategy to create brand awareness (SEO Girl through and through), I am excited to use it in a more intentional way for community building.

Our conversation reminded me that it’s 100% possible to create authentic connections on social media, while also amplifying my brand’s voice.

Remember, whatever your approach to social media, the core of your strategy should always be authenticity. It's not just about being present on every platform but about choosing the right spaces to express your brand's values and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.

I can’t wait for you to dive into the full episode for all the key takeaways and tips.

Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.