1. Social Media CHANNEL BEST PRACTICES
“A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is – it is what consumers tell each other it is.”
Scott Cook, Co-Founder of Intuit
Social Media CHANNEL BEST PRACTICES
By Rebecca L. Cooney, MSC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Washington State University

2. BEST PRACTICES: Time & Length
Pinterest pin: 2-4p and 8p-1a.
Ideal size for new pin: 735px x 1102px. Pin description should be > 500 characters.
LinkedIn post: 7-9a and 5-6p. Status update: 600 characters.
Facebook post: 1-4p
Status update: 40 characters. Video length > 45 sec.
Twitter post: 1-3p
New Tweet: 140 characters max. Ideal length 100 characters.
Instagram caption:: 6a-12p. 2,200 characters max (cuts off after 3 lines)
YouTube post: 1-3p. Video length > 3 min

3. Schedule posts for when most of your audience is online
Post consistently
Schedule posts for when most of your audience is online
Create targeted messages to tell your story
Target your posts (instructions)
Keep post images and text fresh
Respond quickly to comments
Post timely content
Boost important posts
Publicize exclusive discounts and promotions
Connect with words and pictures
SOURCE: Facebook for Business
SOURCE: RAGAN.COM INFOGRAPHIC

4. Optimize your hashtags Customize your bio
Match the message to the medium (i.e. use of hashtags)
Decide on an over-arching theme for your posts
Take better pictures; improve quality
Focus on the entire post – not just the image
Don’t just use the mobile app
Embed your posts in other digital channels
Use shortlinks
Build community
SOURCE: Cision.com
SOURCE: RAGAN.COM INFOGRAPHIC

5. Tell your company’s story Drive traffic to your website
Add the Pin It button
Watch your metrics
Grow your followers
Tell your company’s story
Drive traffic to your website
Increase your reach
Avoid excessive self promo
Run a Pinterest contest
Use guest curators
Create fan-curated boards
SOURCES: Pinterest for Business and OakCreekTrail.com
SOURCE: RAGAN.COM INFOGRAPHIC

6. Optimize introductions and headlines
Attract an audience by aligning content to your members’ needs and interests
Manage your updates – keep your audience’s attention
Extend your reach – sponsor company updates to reach your full audience
SOURCE: LinkedIn for Business
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7. Don’t just self promote – 80% conversation, 20% promo
Keep posts short
Don’t just self promote – 80% conversation, 20% promo
Tweet in the afternoon
handles
Don’t use trending hashtags that have no relevance to you
Post pictures
Use key messages first – then links
SOURCE: AdWeek.com
SOURCE: RAGAN.COM INFOGRAPHIC

8. Be consistent on what you publish and frequency of posts
Utilize robust tagging and multiple channels to promote videos
Post during peaks in YouTube viewership
Offer “snackable content” with “bite-size” videos (:16)
Use multi-lingual captions to connect with more audience types
Make sure videos are optimized for mobile
SOURCE: TrackMaven
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9. Embrace the medium – Vine videos repeat
Make them laugh
Teach them something
Embrace the medium – Vine videos repeat
Invite the crowd
Create campaigns – not one- offs
SOURCE: Click Z
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10. Keep your content interesting
Engage with your audience with the use of “ask” feature
Tag regularly
Reblog other related work – stewardship
Stay active, be consistent
SOURCE: WishPond
SOURCE: RAGAN.COM INFOGRAPHIC

11. Establish authority on the topic
Be creative in your content – post about what your audience wants to read
Be consistent with your editorial calendar and posts
Create your own style of brand voice
Engage with your audience – be responsive and thankful
SOURCE: Moz.com
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12. SOURCE: RAGAN.COM INFOGRAPHIC