This blog post was last updated on 8/28/25.

Social media was once just a fun way to engage. However, now (and for some time), social media has become a branding and marketing tactic that every business should utilize. You may think that to manage your social media successfully, you need to hire a millennial influencer with over 10,000 followers. However, the truth is that anyone can be a social media content creator with a solid following.

You just have to go about it the right way.

Doing so entails investing in your social strategy, including having a social media calendar and guidelines for your team or social point person to follow. In this blog post, I’ll provide some tips for naturally growing your social media presence. Let’s explore how you can build authentic influence through strategic social media growth.

1. Establish your brand and aesthetic

Your company branding is one of the first things you establish when you start your business. Your social media accounts should reflect that branding. You want to keep everything cohesive so that your brand is easily identifiable among your audience. This means making sure your posts also center on a specific niche or industry. You want to create a reliable platform for tips and input within a specific area, as people interested in that area will learn to rely on you.

Ensure you include your company logo as your profile page image and use your branding colors to highlight your profiles where it makes sense. It also doesn’t hurt to have your company’s mission statement somewhere your followers can easily read.

2. Designate content for each channel

Each social media channel has its own unique messaging style. X is great for sharing real-time content quickly and getting news updates. But you wouldn’t necessarily share everything you’re tweeting on LinkedIn. Here’s a good rule of thumb to follow when deciding what to publish on which channels:

X

X is a fast-paced social media platform encouraging real-time conversations and concise messaging. To effectively engage with the X audience, creating content that aligns with the platform’s unique characteristics and user preferences is essential. Here are some content ideas that work well on X:

• News and Updates: X is often used as a platform for breaking news, updates, and timely information. Share industry news, company updates, or relevant trends to inform your audience. Add value by providing insights, analysis, or your perspective on the news.
• Thought Leadership and Expertise: Showcase your expertise and establish yourself or your brand as a thought leader in your industry. Share insights, tips, or advice related to your niche. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and participate in relevant X chats or hashtags to demonstrate your knowledge and credibility.
• Engaging Visuals: X is primarily a text-based platform, and incorporating visuals can enhance engagement. Share eye-catching images, infographics, or GIFs to grab attention and make your tweets more visually appealing.
• Bite-Sized Tips and Advice: X’s character limit challenges you to provide valuable information concisely. Share bite-sized tips, quick advice, or actionable insights that resonate with your audience. You can use numbered lists, bullet points, or concise statements to convey your message effectively.
• Quotes and Inspirational Messages: Inspire your audience by sharing motivational quotes, inspiring messages, or thought-provoking statements. These can resonate with your followers and encourage engagement through likes, retweets, and replies.
• Polls and Surveys: X offers a built-in polling feature that allows you to create interactive content. Ask questions, run polls, or conduct surveys to gather insights, spark conversations, and engage your audience. Encourage followers to share their opinions or experiences in the replies.
• Behind-the-Scenes Content: Offer a glimpse behind the scenes of your brand or share candid moments that give your audience a more personal connection. This could include sneak peeks of upcoming projects, team photos, or casual behind-the-scenes videos.
• User-Generated Content: Invite your audience to participate by sharing their own photos, stories, or experiences, and then feature them on your profile. User-generated content is a powerful way to showcase the real-life experiences of your customers and build trust with your audience. Plus, it demonstrates community appreciation and creates a sense of involvement around your brand.
• Engage in Conversations: X is a platform designed for conversations. Engage with your audience by responding to comments, mentioning others, and participating in relevant discussions. Actively listen, provide value, and foster meaningful interactions.
• Hashtag Campaigns: Utilize relevant hashtags to join or start conversations around specific topics, events, or campaigns. Create branded hashtags to encourage user participation and amplify your reach. Utilize trending hashtags to enhance the visibility of your content and connect with a wider audience.

Facebook

Facebook is a versatile social media platform that enables a wide range of content types. To effectively engage with the Facebook audience, creating content that aligns with the platform’s characteristics and user preferences is essential. Here are some content ideas that work well on Facebook:

• Engaging Visual Content: Share visually appealing images, graphics, or videos that catch the attention of Facebook users as they scroll through their news feeds. High-quality visuals can help make your content stand out and generate higher engagement rates.
• Informative Blog Posts and Articles: Facebook is a suitable platform for sharing longer-form content, such as blog posts or articles. Create informative and valuable content that educates and entertains your audience. Share the article link along with a compelling introduction or a teaser to encourage users to click and read.
• Live Videos: Facebook’s live video feature allows you to connect with your audience in real-time. Host live Q&A sessions, interviews, product demos, or behind-the-scenes glimpses to foster engagement and interaction. Live videos often generate higher reach and engagement as they are prioritized in the news feed.
• User-Generated Content: Encourage your audience to create and share content related to your brand. This can include testimonials, reviews, photos, or videos of customers using your products or services. UGC helps build trust, authenticity, and a sense of community.
• Contests and Giveaways: Host contests, sweepstakes, or giveaways to encourage user participation and engagement. Ask users to comment, like, share, or submit content to enter. These activities help increase brand visibility, generate excitement, and foster a sense of reward for your audience.
• Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share behind-the-scenes content that provides a glimpse into your company culture, team members, or day-to-day operations. This humanizes your brand and helps build a connection with your audience.
• Seasonal and Holiday Content: Capitalize on holidays, seasons, or special events by creating content that resonates with the festive spirit. Share themed posts, offer special promotions, or create interactive content related to the occasion.
• Infographics and Data Visualizations: Use infographics or data visualizations to present complex information or statistics in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. This type of content is highly shareable and can help establish your brand as a trusted and authoritative source of information.
• Facebook Stories: Utilize the Stories feature on Facebook to share ephemeral content that disappears after 24 hours. Use Stories to offer quick updates, share behind-the-scenes moments, conduct polls, or provide exclusive content to your followers.
• Community Engagement: Facebook is a platform where users seek community and connections. Engage with your audience by responding to comments, answering questions, and participating in discussions. Encourage conversation by posing thought-provoking questions, seeking diverse opinions, or soliciting constructive feedback.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that focuses on business-related content and industry insights. To effectively engage with the LinkedIn audience, it’s essential to create content that aligns with the platform’s professional nature and user preferences. Here are some content ideas that work well on LinkedIn:

• Thought Leadership and Industry Insights: LinkedIn is an ideal platform for sharing your expertise and establishing yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Share valuable insights, trends, or analyses related to your niche. Offer unique perspectives or actionable advice that can benefit your professional network.
• Professional Blog Posts and Articles: LinkedIn’s publishing platform allows you to share longer-form content, such as blog posts or articles, directly on the platform. Create in-depth, well-researched content that educates and inspires your connections. Focus on topics that are relevant to your industry and provide valuable information or solutions.
• Professional Achievements and Milestones: Celebrate your professional achievements, milestones, or successes with your LinkedIn network. Share updates about promotions, new certifications, awards, or speaking engagements. This helps showcase your expertise and reinforces your personal brand.
• Career Advice and Tips: LinkedIn is a platform where professionals seek career development and growth. Share career advice, job search tips, interview tips, or strategies for professional advancement. Help others in their professional journey and foster engagement through insightful discussions.
• Case Studies and Success Stories: Share real-life examples of how your products, services, or solutions have benefited your clients or customers. Highlight the challenges faced, the strategies implemented, and the positive outcomes achieved. This demonstrates your credibility and the value you bring to your industry.
• Engage in Industry Discussions: Participate in relevant industry discussions, group conversations, or LinkedIn forums. Share your opinions, insights, or ask thought-provoking questions to spark meaningful conversations with your professional network. Engaging in discussions can help you expand your network and gain visibility within your industry.
• Company Updates and News: Share updates about your company’s achievements, new product launches, partnerships, or company culture. Showcasing your company’s success and sharing news relevant to your industry helps strengthen your brand presence and attract potential business opportunities.
• Professional Events and Webinars: Inform your LinkedIn connections about upcoming industry events, conferences, or webinars. Share information about your participation and speaking engagements, or provide valuable resources related to the event. This positions you as an active participant in your industry and encourages engagement from your network.
• Visual Content: Incorporate visuals, such as infographics, charts, or slides, to effectively present data, statistics, or key insights. Visual content can capture attention and make your posts more engaging and shareable.
• Networking and Collaboration Opportunities: Utilize LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your industry, build relationships, and seek collaboration opportunities. Share collaboration ideas, seek partners for projects, or offer your expertise to others. LinkedIn is a platform that fosters professional connections and networking.

Instagram

Instagram is a highly visual social media platform that emphasizes the use of photos and videos. To effectively engage with the Instagram audience, it’s vital to create visually appealing and engaging content. Here are some content ideas that work well on Instagram :

• High-Quality Visuals: Instagram is a visual platform, so focus on creating high-quality and captivating images or videos. Use professional photography, eye-catching designs, and compelling visuals that grab attention as users scroll through their feeds.
• Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peeks: Offer a behind-the-scenes look at your brand, showcasing the people, processes, or stories that make your business unique. This type of content humanizes your brand and helps establish a connection with your audience.
• Product Showcasing: Showcase your products or services in creative and engaging ways. Use visually appealing images or videos that highlight the features, benefits, and uses of your offerings. Incorporate lifestyle shots or user-generated content to demonstrate how your products fit into customers’ lives.
• User-Generated Content: Encourage your audience to create and share content featuring your brand or products. Repost and share UGC to build social proof, engage with your community, and foster a sense of authenticity. This also encourages others to create content related to your brand.
• Inspirational and Motivational Quotes: Share inspirational quotes or motivational messages that resonate with your audience. I’d like for you to design a quote graphics that align with your brand aesthetics. These types of posts can inspire, uplift, and encourage engagement through likes, comments, and shares.
• Storytelling Through Captions: Craft engaging and compelling captions that complement your visuals. Use storytelling techniques to share narratives, experiences, or insights that resonate with your audience. Captions provide an opportunity to connect on a deeper level and invite meaningful interactions.
• Educational and How-To Content: Educate your audience by sharing informative and valuable content. Create instructional videos, step-by-step guides, or quick tips related to your industry or niche. Provide actionable advice and knowledge that your followers can benefit from.
• Interactive Content: Engage your audience through interactive content formats. Polls, quizzes, and question stickers in Instagram Stories encourage participation and provide insights into your audience’s preferences. Host giveaways or contests that require user participation for a chance to win.
• Influencer Collaborations: Partner with influencers or industry experts who align with your brand values and target audience. Collaborate on content creation, such as product reviews, sponsored posts, or influencer takeovers. This can help increase brand visibility, reach new audiences, and build credibility.
• Video Content: Incorporate videos into your content strategy. Use Instagram’s IGTV feature for longer-form videos or create short video clips that can be shared as posts or Stories. Videos can capture attention, deliver messages effectively, and provide an opportunity for storytelling.

TikTok

TikTok is a highly popular social media platform known for its short-form video content. To effectively engage with the TikTok audience, it’s essential to create content that aligns with the platform’s unique characteristics and user preferences. Here are some content ideas that work well on TikTok:

• Short and Snappy Videos: TikTok’s format is ideal for short and attention-grabbing videos. Keep your content concise and focus on delivering your message or story within a limited timeframe, usually between 15 and 60 seconds. Quick transitions, cuts, and engaging visuals can help capture and retain viewers’ attention.
• Creative and Entertaining Concepts: TikTok thrives on creativity and entertainment. Experiment with innovative video concepts, challenges, trends, or viral formats. Incorporate humor, surprise elements, or visual effects to make your content stand out and encourage shares and engagement.
• User-Generated Content: Encourage user participation by creating content that prompts users to join challenges or create their own versions of a specific theme. UGC is highly valued on TikTok, and it can help build a sense of community and increase engagement with your brand.
• Educational and How-To Videos: TikTok isn’t just about entertainment; it’s also a platform where users seek knowledge and learn new things. Create educational or how-to videos related to your niche or industry. Break down complex topics into easily digestible and visually appealing content. Quick tips, hacks, or tutorials can perform well on TikTok.
• Behind-the-Scenes Content: Offer a glimpse behind the scenes of your brand or showcase the process of creating your products or services. TikTok users appreciate authenticity and enjoy getting a closer look at the people and stories behind the brand.
• Duets and Collaborations: TikTok allows users to duet or collaborate with other creators. You can use this feature by collaborating with influencers, partners, or customers. Duets enable you to create interactive and engaging content by responding to or building upon existing videos.
• Storytelling and Narratives: Craft compelling stories or narratives that resonate with your target audience. You can effectively deliver your message by combining visuals, text overlays, and voiceovers. Emotionally engaging storytelling can help forge a connection with TikTok users.
• Stylized Visuals and Editing: TikTok provides a range of video editing features, effects, and filters that can enhance the visual appeal of your content. Experiment with various editing techniques, transitions, and visual styles to create visually striking and attention-grabbing videos.

3. Follow the right accounts

It’s essential to follow the proper accounts so that the content in your feeds is the most applicable. If you’re in the marketing industry, focus on following other marketing-focused accounts, online marketing publications, marketing software solutions, and marketing-related hashtags.

When you follow an account, there’s a chance they’ll follow you back, which can increase engagement with your posts. If you’re focusing on following accounts in your industry, a follow-back could eventually lead to your content being reshared. This means there’s a chance for your content to reach a wider audience of interested folks.

4. Unfollow where needed

Maintain a follower-to-following ratio that demonstrates selectivity—aim to follow fewer accounts than you are followed by. This strategic approach signals that you curate your network thoughtfully rather than following indiscriminately.

When implementing a follow strategy, also check who is following you back. Go ahead and unfollow accounts that don’t give you a follow-back to help clean up your following list.

5. Create and share content

A content creation plan and a content marketing strategy add the necessary fuel to your social media strategy. It would be best to have a bank of available, valuable, and educational content to easily share with your followers. This, too, helps establish your credibility, but it also maintains your status as a reliable resource for your audience.

Once you have created enough content, you can plan your social media strategy using social publishing tools and a social media calendar. This will save you a ton of time in the long run and ensure you’re getting the most out of the content you’re creating by distributing it effectively.

6. Reshare valuable content

You can balance your content strategy by sharing valuable industry content alongside your own posts. If you haven’t already, start subscribing to industry publications so you can get valuable content sent straight to your inbox. If something resonates with you or your audience will find it valuable, then share it on your social channels.

When doing this, it’s important to tag the publication source and the author of the content. This will ping them and let them know that they have an advocate out there who enjoys what they’re putting out. It could also lead to reciprocated advocacy, which can increase your brand’s visibility to a broader audience.

7. Use platform features

Each social media platform comes with additional features that you should utilize. What’s great about these features is that they allow you to share content in a new and different way. This keeps your audience engaged and gives you more chances to interact with them. Here are some features each platform offers that you should be using:

Business profiles

Most social media platforms offer dedicated business profiles or pages that provide additional features and insights. These profiles enable brands to showcase essential information, including contact details, website links, and business descriptions. They often provide access to analytics and audience demographics, enabling brands to understand their followers and track key performance metrics.

Content scheduling

Many social media platforms provide scheduling features that allow brands to plan and schedule their posts in advance. This helps maintain a consistent posting schedule, save time, and reach the audience at optimal times. Scheduling tools may be available within the platform or through third-party social media management tools.

Analytics and insights

Social media platforms offer built-in analytics and insights that provide valuable data about audience demographics, engagement metrics, reach, and impressions. Brands can use these insights to measure the effectiveness of their content, track key performance indicators, and make data-driven decisions to optimize their social media strategies.

Ad campaigns

Paid advertising features on social media platforms enable brands to promote their content and reach a broader audience. These platforms offer various targeting options based on demographics, interests, behavior, and more. Brands can set specific goals, budgets, and schedule their ad campaigns to reach their target audience effectively.

Live video streaming

Live video features on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn enable brands to connect with their audiences in real-time. Brands can host live Q&A sessions, product launches, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or webinars to engage with their followers, answer questions, and create an interactive experience.

Story features

Story features, popularized by platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, allow brands to share ephemeral content that disappears after 24 hours. Brands can leverage this feature to share daily updates, behind-the-scenes moments, product demonstrations, or limited-time offers. Stories often provide interactive elements like polls, stickers, and swipe-up links to encourage engagement.

Influencer collaborations

Brands can leverage influencer marketing by collaborating with social media influencers who have a significant following and influence within their target audience. Influencers can help promote products, services, or campaigns, reaching a wider audience and building trust through their recommendations.

Hashtags and trending topics

Hashtags are an effective way to categorize and discover content on social media platforms. Brands can utilize relevant hashtags in their posts to enhance visibility, expand their reach, and engage in trending conversations. Stay updated on trending topics and join relevant discussions to increase brand exposure and engagement.

Messenger and chat features

Social media platforms often feature messaging or chat capabilities that enable brands to communicate directly with their audience. Brands can utilize these features to offer customer support, address inquiries, and foster personal connections with their followers.

eCommerce integration

Some social media platforms offer eCommerce integration, allowing brands to sell products directly through their profiles. These features enable seamless shopping experiences by linking product catalogs, adding “Shop Now” buttons, and facilitating transactions within the platform.

8. Hashtag wisely

Hashtags are only effective on social media when you’re using the right ones. Ensure that the words you’re hashtagging are relevant to your audience’s search queries. For example, if you’re sharing a piece of content on social media tips (meta?), then hashtags that make sense are #SocialMedia or #SocialMediaTips. Hashtags that don’t make as much sense are #Content or #Media, etc. A tip is to go on X and search hashtags to see how popular they are.

When you use the right hashtags, you make your content easily searchable on a platform bombarded with other content. This increases the likelihood that a more targeted audience will see it and follow you.

9. Interact

Balance content creation with active engagement. Respond to comments, reply to mentions, engage with others’ posts, and acknowledge those who share your content. This two-way interaction builds stronger relationships with your audience.

10. Prioritize quality over quantity

With algorithms favoring content that keeps users engaged, posting frequently for the sake of it can hurt your reach. Focus on producing high-quality, valuable content that resonates with your audience. Take time to understand your audience’s needs, preferences, and pain points. Posts that provide helpful information, inspiration, or entertainment are more likely to be shared and save-worthy, which signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable.

• Tip: Utilize analytics tools to determine which types of posts your audience engages with the most. Create more content around those themes or styles.

11. Leverage video content

Algorithms on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok favor video content because it tends to hold users’ attention for longer. With the rise of Reels, Stories, and TikTok videos, creating short-form video content can help increase your visibility. Video content is more dynamic and engaging than static images, and it tends to achieve a higher organic reach.

• Tip: Create behind-the-scenes videos, how-tos, or mini-tutorials to provide value while showcasing your brand’s personality.

12. Stay updated on algorithm changes

Understanding the changes in social media algorithms can give you an edge. Platforms frequently tweak their algorithms to prioritize different types of content, engagement metrics, or even audience segments. Stay updated on these changes to adjust your content strategy accordingly.

• Tip: Follow social media marketing blogs or join communities that track algorithm updates and offer insights on adapting.

Use these tips to lay the groundwork for organically growing your social media following. Stick with it and maintain consistency. Over time, you’ll see your social accounts grow and your thought leadership expand.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1 – 5-5-5 Rule 

What is the 5-5-5 rule on social media?

The 5-5-5 rule suggests picking five social platforms, spending five minutes on each, and interacting with five posts on every visit. It helps you consistently engage your audience, stay visible in your community, and reach new people.

FAQ 2 – 50/30/20 Rule 

What is the 50/30/20 rule for social media?

This guideline breaks your content into three categories:

• 50% curated content (sharing others’ relevant posts)
• 30% original content (articles, videos, or images you create)
• 20% promotional content (highlighting your products or services)

Balancing these ensures variety and keeps followers interested.

FAQ 3 – First 1,000 Followers 

How can I reach my first 1,000 social media followers?

Start by focusing on a clear niche and posting consistently. Use relevant hashtags, follow and interact with similar accounts, and encourage others to share. Over time, helpful or entertaining posts will build your credibility and naturally attract more followers.

FAQ 4 – 70/20/10 Rule 

What is the 70/20/10 rule for social media?

The 70/20/10 rule suggests sharing:

• 70% proven content that reinforces your brand’s expertise
• 20% content from others or industry news
• 10% calls to action, product launches, or special offers