How to Lead with Social Media in 2023: Practical Tips

BY YAQUELIN LIZAOLA

Social Media has changed our lives forever, and we all know it. But I believe it hasn’t reached its peak yet, and there’s still so much to discover online.

Why? Well, because there simply isn’t a limit to human creativity. From personal profiles to business brands, everyone has a voice and a story to tell.

The truth is that our daily lives now revolve around Social Media. After all, we use it to keep track of what’s going on with the world and our friends. Sometimes, we even find some inspiration depending on the content we consume. It is the source of local and national news and can be considered a 24/7 digital newspaper of our era with a mix of photos, 10-30 second videos, and captions that convince us that we need what pops up on our screen. There are 4.48 billion global social media users - this means if you are not online, you are missing out on a significant amount of exposure for your brand or business. And it will only increase because that’s just about half of the current world population.

Here‘s the best part of all Social Media Platforms:

1. You recognize the importance and power that is at your fingertips.

2. Strategize to monetize. Recognize. Strategize. Monetize. Repeat. Notate this: Marketing is about the stories you tell. The more you tell, the more you sell. So, invest time in telling a fascinating story.

“Social Media is bad for our mental health, distracting, and a time-waster….”

“Social Media is only for the young people….”

“My business is already successful… what’s the point?”

Always remember that Social Media is good; it just depends on what you are allowing your eyes to see and mind to consume. You are always in control and can’t argue that you can’t put your phone down or unfollow pages that aren’t adding value to you.

I am talking on both a personal and professional level. You should know this as a business owner and as a regular consumer. Everyone knows what they like and what they don’t. It’s all about the power of will: whether or not you know how to push a button or swipe in the other direction.

I always find myself explaining the question: Why do businesses need a social media presence? The answer is a nobrainer and within the question itself.

The keyword is presence

If they can’t find your username, they will move onto their next option, most likely a competitor, and you lose on what could’ve been a potential client. If your coffee shop doesn’t show us your beautiful latte art and wifi access, we will pick the one that does.

People instantly connect with something they can see and identify themselves with. Whether you are just starting a business or have been around for a while, your social media needs to be active and up to date, no matter your industry. People need to know that you exist, and you need to make that footprint.

Find out what those in your industry are doing, study the strategy that is keeping their audience engaged, and don’t just match or copy it, but elevate it, making it better and hassle-free

Think about it; there’s a reason why businesses like Netflix took out brick and mortars like the iconic BlockBuster. They are more accessible, convenient, and affordable; all you need is access to a digital device with a dash of Wi-Fi. Look at how fast they took them off the map and how similar platforms followed suit to create something similar. Do you see it yet? Check this out:

The Social Media User Statistics:

84% 18-29 years old

81% 30-49 years old

73% 50-64 years old

45% 65 and above

The younger generation has easier access to mobile devices, and older generations are still learning how this new technology works. If you study these statistics and grasp where your target market stands, you can determine how to capture their attention on each platform. Own it.

Ultimately, the key is catering your content to your target audience. There are multiple social media platforms, and you should get on all of them. Some may argue that it is too time-consuming to create content, schedule posts, engage with your audience, and manage your page, but that’s why you must invest in an agency that focuses on each. Social Media is no longer a one-person job because there are multiple pillars to make it flow:

- Photography

- Videography

- Editors

- Graphic Design

- Writing Copy

- Scheduling

- Community Management

- Engagement

As a business owner, you should be focused on daily operations and scaling. Have someone else bring your vision to life with proper marketing and give your brand a real voice.

Yes, it is “time-consuming”, but there are those of us who understand, and that is why we created agencies that can assist in managing that for you. Globally, the average time a person spends on social media daily is 2 hours 25 minutes or 145 minutes. That’s a lot of screen time that you are missing out on. Let’s chat and get the ball rolling.

In closing, as a First-Generation Latina who saw my immigrant parents and other individuals fight to make something of themselves in this country, I feel like those who exist in this social Media digital era have no excuse to attain success.

We have a very powerful tool at our fingertips: our phones and complimentary laptops. You have the potential to reach millions of people. If that alone doesn’t inspire you to launch your idea, I don’t know what will. I see the increasing demand, and I am here to educate and help you execute your online presence. Many people are still waiting to see you and learn about what you offer. Invest in your content creation.

About the author:

Yaquelin Lizaola is a First-Generation Latina Marketing Agency Owner, born and raised in Las Vegas. She is also a Content Strategist and Manager as well as a Business Strategist and Consultant for small businesses, with an emphasis on the Latino Business Sector.