Tips on Using Social Media to Promote Your Blog Post

With blogging, it is not enough to just publish a post. You want traffic and you want engagement. How do you do that? 

You must promote your blog post if you want readers to come to your page. I briefly mentioned five things you can do here to do just that. 

In this post, I would like to talk a bit more about using social media to promote blog posts. Is it enough to just post links on your social media platform? Or is there a way to effectively do this? 

Here are five steps that you should think about before you go posting links on social media.

Step One: Identify Your Target Audience's Social Media Hangouts 

To effectively promote your content, it's crucial to understand where your target audience spends their time on social media. 

Take the time to study your target readers' online habits. Don't just consider the Facebook platform, as it may not be the right space for every niche. Explore other social media sites like Pinterest or Twitter or Instagram, to identify which platforms that align more closely with your audience's interests.

By understanding your audience's preferred social media hangouts, you can strategically direct your promotional efforts to the platforms that will maximize your reach and engagement.

Step Two: Build an Online Presence and Navigate the Social Media Landscape

Once you've identified the social media platforms where your target audience congregates, it's time to establish your presence and familiarize yourself with the dynamics of each platform. Follow these steps to make a strong start:

• Create an account on the chosen social media platforms and set up a profile that reflects your brand identity. Optimize your bio, profile picture, and any other relevant details to make a positive first impression.
• Dive into the platform and observe the community. Take note of successful strategies employed by other bloggers or influencers within your niche. Keep in mind that social media is dynamic, and trends can change rapidly, so staying observant is key.
• Engage with your audience by initiating conversations, sharing valuable content, and responding to comments. Focus on building genuine connections and fostering relationships that resonate with your target market.

Step Three: Customize Your Posts and Visuals for Different Social Media Platforms 

To optimize your content presentation on various social media platforms, it's crucial to tailor your posts and images accordingly. Understand Platform-specific Requirements: Take the time to familiarize yourself with the unique specifications of each social media platform you're utilizing. Determine the recommended image dimensions, text allowances, and any other guidelines for optimal display.

The following lists the best image sizes for five popular social media platforms:

• Facebook - 1200 x 630 pixels. If you're hoping your blog readers will share links to your blog post on Facebook, include an image of this size on your blog posts. 
• Twitter - 440 x 220 pixels with a maximum file size of 5 MB. You will be uploading these images to your tweets when you tweet about your posts. You don't have to include these image sizes in your posts. 
• Instagram - 640 x 640 pixels. Instagram images are square and the app will resize and crop any of your images to this shape and size. 
• Pinterest - images with a 2:3 ratio of width to height. If you have a big image in a vertical orientation on your post, it is easier to pin images right from your blog. 
• YouTube - 1280 x 720 pixels. This is the size for custom thumbnail size. You can use other sizes as long as you maintain the 16:9 image ratio.

Experiment with different types of images and graphics that align with your brand and resonate with your target audience. Consider whether incorporating text overlays or captions will enhance the impact of your visuals. Strive for consistency in visual style while adapting it to suit the preferences of each platform.

Step Four: Promote and Engage to Build Connections

Now you're ready to promote your content. Before you do that, remember to strike a balance between promoting your own content and sharing valuable resources from others within your niche. 

By curating and highlighting interesting content from various sources, you demonstrate your industry expertise and establish yourself as a valuable resource.

Avoid self-promotion overload. While it's essential to showcase your own content, avoid constantly tooting your own horn. Instead, focus on providing value to your audience by offering informative, entertaining, or thought-provoking content that aligns with their interests.

By actively promoting and interacting with your audience, you can build strong connections, enhance your online presence, and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your niche. Remember, it's about fostering a mutually beneficial relationship, where you provide value while promoting your content in a balanced and authentic manner.

Step Five: Grow, Rinse, and Repeat 

As you invest your time and effort in social media, your reach will gradually expand. It's important to maintain consistent engagement and allocate a portion of your weekly schedule to connect with new individuals within your target market. 

Cultivate relationships and engage with potential followers, customers, or collaborators. This ongoing effort will contribute to the steady growth of your audience.

Establish a routine of consistently promoting your content on social media platforms. Regularly share your posts, interact with your audience, and participate in relevant discussions. 

Every few months, assess your efforts and analyze the outcomes. Identify the strategies and techniques that yield the best results in terms of engagement, reach, and conversion. Try to duplicate those successful approaches while also exploring new tactics. 

Always strive for improvement and expand your reach in the ever-evolving social media landscape.

I hope the tips on this post can help you in promoting your blog through social media.

This is the 14th post in our Better Blogging Challenge. If you have any thoughts you'd like to share, please leave your comments below. 

Thank you for reading.