10 key learnings to drive a strategic approach to social

SPONSORED PARTNERSHIPS provide brands with permission to participate in conversations that they might not otherwise naturally have a place.

Earlier this year BRAVE attended the “Social Summit” run by Brand Republic in London: it was valuable time spent. We thought it might be useful to share some of the core themes discussed - so here’s a list of our 10 key take-outs:

1. WHY SOCIAL?

If you’re going to get into social media, make sure you know why you’re doing it Align your social strategy with your business strategy, know what you’re measuring and why. But accept that social is constantly evolving and so some things simply cannot be measured in terms of ROI.

2. PLAN

There’s an easy 2x2 matrix to help with content planning. Think planned versus unplanned and always on versus events. That way you’ll have a content calendar for everyday work and campaigns and will recognise where you need live response and what is simply unpredictable.

3. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE – LISTEN AND SERVE THEM

Think social insights in, not just communications out. Social should be used to inform how a business develops. By talking to your customers

4. HAVE AN OPINION

This way you can build context and relevance and be useful

5. PURPLE COWS WIN!

If you saw a purple cow in a field, you’d stop and take a picture and talk about it right?

6. BE AUTHENTIC AND CREATE CONNECTIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

If we need to forget b2b and b2c and b2b2c and concentrate on P2P, then we need to actually be a P. Don’t talk or act like a computer

7. A PICTURE IS WORTH…

Well you know the rest

8. SOCIAL SHOULD NOT BE A FUNCTION, IT’S A WAY OF LIFE

If you make social simply a department and don’t integrate throughout an organisation, social will always be an adjunct. It needs to be just a way of doing things

9. YOU’RE ATTENDING THE PARTY – YOU’RE NOT THE HOST

Be part of a relevant conversation but don’t try to own it (no-one can)

10. ACCEPT YOU’LL MAKE MISTAKES, BUT LEARN AND TRY AGAIN

In today’s dynamic consumer landscape “social strategy” is a crucial part of all brand strategy. We can work with you to devise strategies to acquire and activate customers through social.

If you’d like to know about how we can help your business, please get in touch with BRAVE Director and co-founder Sara Marshall.

Sara Marshall
Director and co-founder
s.marshall@brave-agency.com

Written by Sara Marshall