Social media trends, platforms, and algorithms change all the time. And if you’ve tried staying up to date on what’s currently working and what’s not, you know how time- consuming it is to keep track. But one strategy continues to benefit every social media channel no matter what industry you’re in. And that, quite simply is—consistency. Maintaining a consistent online presence and posting schedule is essential for growth, engagement, and an increased following. It sounds easy enough, right? Yet business owners often get sidetracked by other projects, and social media takes a backseat on the priority list. Whether you manage your business’s social media independently or are considering working with (or have hired) a social media manager, here is why consistency is the most important thing to remember when planning your content. Building Community Social media is all about the community you create. Talking at people and only selling rather than engaging does not work. By consistently engaging with your audience through replying to comments, sharing posts, and asking for feedback, you signal to followers that you value their input and appreciate their following. Improved Algorithm Metrics It’s not easy to crack the latest algorithms, but it can be done. One way is by maintaining a consistent posting schedule. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok reward regular use by showing your posts more frequently and highlighting them in new or featured feeds. Consistency offers a competitive advantage over competitors; just make sure your content remains on brand with your messaging and audience. Become an Industry Expert Followers should see you as an expert in your field. Create content that offers valuable insight other accounts aren’t providing, or consider sharing industry news so YOU are their go-to resource. It won’t happen overnight, but with time people WILL recognize you as a reliable account, leading to an increased following, more opportunity for partnerships, and overall growth.  Stay Relevant Every day, over 95 million photos and videos are uploaded to Instagram, and TikTok users send an estimated 500 million tweets daily. That is A LOT of new content, which is why users scroll past posts at lightning speed. It also means users barely retain or remember most of what they see in their feeds. But when you maintain a consistent influx of content, the odds of people noticing regularly also increase. Stay quiet for too long, and they’ll move on to a new business or brand. Remember, every post doesn’t need to be perfect. If you spend too much time overthinking the small stuff, you risk missing the bigger picture—consistency. Aim to solidify a brand identity followers can easily recognize and resonate with. It isn’t just about posting daily or keeping a routine; it’s about building a reliable presence your audience can count on and want to keep coming back to.

Generating more traffic on social channels is a common source of frustration among business owners. No matter how great your content is, if it’s not getting likes or com ments, chances are it's not getting the visibility it deserves. So, what gives? It might be as simple as fine-tuning your strategies. As social media experts, we find that when the algorithms are happy, they tend to be more forgiving in sharing your content with a broader audience. Ready to turn the tables and start swinging the pendulum in your favor? Here are ten things you can implement TODAY to get more traction across your platforms. 1. Add Music: Music adds personality to your content. Posts that include background music tend to be seen more favorably by social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok because they align with their content style. As a result, these posts usually get more visibility, boosting their engagement rate. 2. Invite Collaborators: To get your posts seen by a larger audience, consider adding collaborators to your Instagram posts. Simply select the username you want to add, and when they accept, your post will be added to their feed and seen by their followers. You will both have access to all the likes and comments. It's super easy and very effective! 3. Create a Poll : Polls are a great way to get instant feedback from your audience. Whether you include it in a story or a standalone post, people love sharing their opinions. And don’t be afraid to include polls on topics outside your industry. Consider asking about seasonal themes, pop culture—anything that generates a response. 4. Ask Questions: Similar to polls, asking open-ended questions lets followers provide a more in-depth reply. This is especially true for feedback on a new product or service. Most people will want to show their support, but in the event of criticism, use it as data to make necessary improvements. 5. Share a “Follow Friday”: These are an easy, fun way to get more followers on your page. All you need to do is create a post asking followers to share/tag other accounts in the comments. It encourages a sense of community and shows you support other businesses in the same industry. 6. Craft a Strong Call to Action: CTAs are one of the most popular ways to generate more clicks; the key is making the desired action crystal clear. Followers should instantly know what to do and how to do it. Avoid vague language. For example, instead of saying, "Learn more," try, "Download your free guide now." 7. Connect with Influencers: Influencers are everywhere today, and that can be GREAT for small business marketing. Consider connecting with those who are local to your area or industry. Don’t be afraid to message them directly about a partnership. If you offer a valuable service, chances are they will want to share it with their audience, too. 8. Include Links: Clickable links are an effective way to drive traffic to external websites and resources. Ensure the links you provide are mobile-friendly since most users are on their phones. Include the link in your bio and stories for added exposure. 9. Use Personal Photos and Videos: Curated content is great (hello, Canva) but nothing beats the connection that comes from sharing personal photos and videos. Followers love getting a sneak peek into your life behind the scenes of your business! Make a concerted effort to include more in your monthly content—then watch the clicks come in! 10. Utilize Stories Frequently: We say this often, BUT Instagram and Facebook favor accounts that share stories frequently. Share your content, relevant content from other accounts—anything that inspires you and will inspire your audience, too. Daily stories are great, but if it isn't feasible, aim for at least 3-5 shares per week for optimal results. Boosting your social media click-through rates and overall enga  gement doesn’t need to be complicated. But it DOES take a little effort and consistency. If you find yourself struggling to manage your business’s social media, we've got you. Officially Social is here to help simplify the process and take one thing off your already-full plate. Discover more about our complete list of social media services here .