27 Social Media Principles You MUST Know to Succeed Online

Want to know the best social media principles for success?

Awesome – you’re in the right place.

So much of social media marketing is constantly changing – especially those social media image sizes!

What’s great about these principles is that they endure.

So read up, Pin the colorful infographic for convenient reference, and return often for a refresher.

Let’s jump in.

27 Social Media Principles You MUST Know

Start putting these principles into action today!

1 | Provide Value.

The single most important way to gain followers and keep them is to give them something of value that makes it worth following you!

2 | Don’t Just Promote.

You can’t just post about how good your business is – no one wants to read that!

3 | Post What YOU Would Want to Read.

To know if you’re on the right track, ask yourself if you would read it!

4 | Learn How to Create Titles That Grab Attention.

Titles need to promise something different and speak to readers on an emotional level.

I found an inexpensive resource that will help you write click-worthy titles!

It’s written for Pinterest, but these title tricks will work on any social media platform because they tap into human nature.

Disclosure: If you purchase, I may earn a referral fee.

Check out Pinterest Title Traffic Hacks eBook & video training.

5 | Understand the Value Proposition.

Tap into the reason that people are interested in your niche. How does it improve their lives?

6 | Always Deliver on Your Promise.

If you have a bombastic title, make sure the content can back it up!

7 | Make Your Followers Feel Important.

Talk about your brand in a passionate way and make your subscribers feel like a part of an important “movement” of some kind. This is your tribe.

8 | Give Back to the Community.

Don’t just post about your blog – take part in the communities you wish to promote to.

9 | Be Personal, Where Appropriate.

Consider creating a personal brand, if it suits the tone and subject matter of your business.

10 | Promote Your Social Media on Your Blog.

Your blog promotion and social promotion should be synergistic. Use each to promote the other!

11 | Learn to Sell the Lifestyle.

Show the lifestyle that your customers want!

12 | Respond and Engage.

Social media is a communication tool first and foremost. Make sure you actually respond to comments and questions!

13 | Be Consistent.

Once you have created a pattern, stick to it! Here’s more on how often to post.

Wondering what time to post on social media? We’ve got you covered there too.

14 | Experiment With Other Types of Content.

Don’t be afraid to create infographics, and post quizzes and games.

15 | Choose Your Channels.

Start with a platform you know, and your audience frequents. If possible, use multiple different channels to be easily found.

Here are 61 social media tips that cover the top 7 platforms. Consider which seem like a good fit for your business and audience.

16 | Take Advantage of New Technologies.

Live video streaming is big right now – meaning it provides new opportunities. Don’t miss it, and keep your eyes open for more opportunities like this in the future.

17 | Create a Professional Brand.

A professional profile picture or logo will go a long way toward promoting your business.

For a cohesive look, choose and use business colors that relay your brand personality.

18 | Go Cross-Niche.

Stuck for ideas?

Want to appeal to a new audience?

Then try combining two different niches into one new one!

19 | Don’t Try to Cater to Everyone.

Try to please everyone and you’ll end up pleasing nobody! Focus on one particular type of person with particular interests, and be unapologetic about it.

20 | Use Advertising.

Facebook ads are fantastic for finding and reaching targeted fans.

Using Pinterest for business? Ads on that platform are called Promoted Pins, and are a good value in the right niches.

21 | Work With Partners and Influencers.

Influencer marketing is one of your most powerful tools for gaining more followers.

22 | Use Contests and Other Events.

Contests and other events help to get people more engaged and involved, and they can also lead to more shares and promotion for your channel.

Using Facebook for business? Learn about Facebook event image sizes.

23 | Offer Discounts.

The one type of self-promotion that is also providing value is a genuine discount.

Make sure it is exclusive and appealing!

24 | Understand the Psychology of Sharing.

People share things that allow them to express themselves. This is worth remembering when thinking of what to post that might go viral.

25 | Make Great Quality Posts.

Ultimately, what’s really important is that you write great content and present it well. This is what will really provide value.

Can’t write? Hire a writer!

Or use popular quotes and try these easy ways to make picture quotes.

26 | Learn to Take Amazing Photos.

Social media is also very visual. Learn to take high-quality photos to help you to grab attention and build a following.

Great graphics count too! Try these design tools for non-designers.

27 | Automate.

Automated posting tools can be useful to help you stay consistent.

You can schedule Facebook posts for free right on the platform.

Or learn about my favorite social media tool for bloggers that creates visual content from your blog posts – automatically!

Cultivate True Fans!

Ultimately, the aim is not to build a large number of followers, but to think more about quality. Build true fans and your business will thrive like never before!

Conclusion

I can’t overstate the importance of the last principle.

Provide valuable content and genuine engagement.

Buying followers, or offering “follow for follow,” will never get you real business leads that will buy from you. Most aren’t even interested in what you do!

That’s one huge reason it’s so important to know your target audience, and your business’ vision and goals for social media.

Would your followers learn from these social media principles? Pin, tweet, or share this post!