Social Media Marketing World recently wrapped up, and attendees walked away buzzing with insights and practical strategies to elevate their social media game. I asked some of the participants what their biggest takeaways were, and here’s a summary of the most impactful insights. You can learn from these tips as well.

Embrace the Algorithm: Clean Up Your Feed

One attendee shared that they are unfollowing irrelevant accounts as part of a strategy to work with the algorithm, not against it. This simple but effective approach helps ensure that content remains relevant, allowing the algorithm to boost more meaningful interactions.

Tips to Apply:

• Regularly audit your following list to eliminate accounts that no longer align with your interests or business goals.
• Engage more with content that resonates with you or your brand to train the algorithm to surface similar content.
• Consider using tools like Social Blade or Followerwonk to analyze your audience and make data-driven decisions about who to follow or unfollow.

Related articles: How Good Is LinkedIn Premium for Business Growth? Exploring Its Tools and Resources

Double Down on YouTube

Several participants noted that YouTube is a key focus for marketers right now. From implementing weekly YouTube Live sessions to using it as a customer acquisition tool, leveraging the platform’s immense reach is a top priority.

Tips to Apply:

• Plan a consistent YouTube Live schedule to build anticipation and increase viewership.
• Optimize your live streams by preparing outlines, engaging with the chat, and including calls to action.
• Utilize YouTube’s analytics to understand audience retention and improve future content.

Leverage Instagram Reels with Proven Techniques

Michelle Gifford’s session on Instagram Reels was a major highlight. Attendees left with ten actionable techniques that they planned to implement right away to boost engagement and creativity.

Tips to Apply:

• Mix educational content with entertainment to maintain a balance that appeals to a wide audience.
• Use trending audio but tailor the content to your brand’s voice.
• Test different lengths and formats, like tutorials or behind-the-scenes clips, to see what resonates.

Storytelling and Authenticity Matter More Than Ever

An important takeaway was to take intentional, immediate actions based on one’s authentic story and journey. Crafting content that resonates with genuine experiences can build stronger connections with audiences.

Tips to Apply:

• Use storytelling frameworks like “problem-solution-outcome” to structure your narrative.
• Incorporate user-generated content to add authenticity.
• Share personal experiences, even if they include challenges or failures, to humanize your brand.

Enhance Flow and Automation

Alisha Conlin-Hurd’s session on building effective flows was a game-changer. By focusing on how flows should actually work, participants learned to optimize customer journeys and engagement processes. Additionally, AI and automation classes were highly praised for their practical applications.

Tips to Apply:

• Map out your customer journey and identify where automation can streamline interactions.
• Use AI tools like ChatGPT for customer support or content creation to save time and maintain quality.
• Implement automated workflows for email sequences to nurture leads effectively.

Improve LinkedIn and Email Strategies

Another key takeaway involved experimenting with subject lines using numbers or bracketed words to increase open rates. Attendees also discussed using ChatGPT to analyze audience data and enhance LinkedIn strategies for better professional networking.

Tips to Apply:

• Test subject lines that include numbers (like “3 Ways to Boost Your Engagement”) or curiosity triggers (like “[New Research] How to Grow on LinkedIn”).
• Use AI to draft multiple versions of your LinkedIn posts to identify the most effective language and tone.
• Incorporate data insights to customize outreach messages and improve response rates.

Strategic Website Updates

Several marketers focused on making impactful changes to their websites, like adding a pricing calculator, updating landing page copy, and reframing offers to increase conversions.

Tips to Apply:

• Regularly test landing pages using A/B testing to determine which copy converts best.
• Highlight your unique value proposition clearly and concisely on your homepage.
• Use interactive elements like calculators to engage visitors and provide value.

Smart Link Placement on Facebook

One insightful tip was to put external links in the comments rather than the post itself. This strategy helps maintain reach, as Facebook’s algorithm tends to deprioritize posts containing links in the captions.

Tips to Apply:

• Share a brief description of the link content in the post and mention that the link is in the comments.
• Monitor the post’s reach and engagement to see how the strategy impacts visibility.
• Use pinned comments to ensure the link stays accessible.

Don’t Just Learn, Implement!

One powerful insight came from a mentor’s advice: it’s disrespectful to learn something and never use it to help yourself or others. Taking action on new knowledge is vital to success.

Tips to Apply:

• After attending an event or workshop, immediately write down three action items you plan to implement.
• Set deadlines for yourself to execute these new strategies.
• Share your progress with peers to stay accountable.

Final Thoughts

Social Media Marketing World continues to be a hub of innovation and practical advice for marketers. Whether it’s revamping social strategies, embracing new tools, or implementing small changes that make a big impact, the key takeaway is to put these insights into practice. Stay proactive, experiment, and let your authentic story guide your content strategy.