6 Creative Ways To Stand Out On Social Media

We all have some form of presence on the many social media platforms – Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Whether it’s a personal profile or a business account, we all want to stand out.

Let’s look at creative ways to stand out online:

1. Tell a visual story

Gen Z’s attention span is short, which means you have to get people’s attention pretty quickly. Attention has never been harder to earn – so videos and images are key to getting to the point & engage immediately.

You can convey complex emotions, immersive experiences, and captivating stories through striking photos and expertly edited videos.

It’s easy to craft high-quality visual content thanks to free and easy-to-use tools like Adobe Express.

2. Use clever captions to spark conversations

We don’t always put a lot of effort into captioning our posts and instead rely on our images to do the work, but the truth is that captions represent a dynamic means of engaging and entertaining your audience.

Learn to use clever wordplay, humour, or ask thought-provoking questions, and you get people interested.

A well-crafted caption doesn’t just complement your visual, it also takes an ordinary post and turns it into a conversation starter, forging deeper connections and making your followers feel more valued and considered.

You’re also likely to attract followers that will engage more when you give them something to think about.

3. Find your style and be consistent

Your social media presence is an extension of your personal brand.

Personal branding is a process of managing and promoting your image.

It involves defining who you are, what you stand for, and what sets you apart from others.

Your personal brand is a combination of your skills, experiences, values, and the way you present yourself to the world.

When it comes to personal branding, your aesthetics and visuals cannot be overstated.

You should always try and aim for consistency. Define things like a cohesive colour palette that you can stick to, apply photo filters consistently.

Doing so will project an identity that they can become familiar with.

4. Involve your audience in your content

Gen Z and Millennials are skeptical about traditional advertising and are looking for marketing solutions that offer advice and insight rather than just pushing products.

Create spaces for customers to connect with each other and discuss topics related to your brand. This can be through online forums, social media groups, or in-person events.

Encourage customers to share their experiences with your brand by creating user-generated content campaigns. This can help build a community of brand advocates and create a sense of belonging.

User-generated content (UGC) adds authenticity and credibility to your brand. Create branded hashtags, run contests, or feature customer testimonials on your website and social media platforms to showcase the real impact your brand has on people’s lives.

PRO TIP: Go even further and use UGC in your marketing.

For example, you can use customer photos and testimonials under your product pages to show the product in use. Or use images in your social media ads.

Potential buyers want “social proof” that your product or service is reputable and loved by others like them.

Customer reviews and testimonials help you build up your reputation, which is a long-term strategic asset of a company.

5. Collaborate with influencers

Influencer marketing can be an effective way to reach Gen Z because these are the people Gen Z look up to.

Collaborate with influencers who align with your brand values and who have a strong following among among your target audience.

These authoritative individuals have influence over your target audience, which allows you to reach a much wider audience way quicker.

A sponsored influencer will promote your business in a way that feels organic and natural, by showing how they integrate your products or services into their lives.

6. Learn the magic of insider hashtags

There’s a lot to learn about creating a social media brand presence, and one of the most important is learning to use hashtags effectively.

We are not talking about the obvious hashtags like #wintercoats or #vacuumcleaner, but those less-known acronyms that form part of the culture that only the insides know.

Find those hashtags and use them to show your audience that you ‘get them’.

Search for online forums, social media groups, and websites dedicated to the culture or community you want to explore. Sites like Reddit, specialized forums, and Facebook groups can be good places to start.

Join these communities, participate in discussions, and observe the language, acronyms, and hashtags being used. Pay attention to how community members communicate and the terminology they employ.

There are online tools and websites that can help you discover popular hashtags. For example, you can use “Hashtagify” or “Trendsmap” to find trending and popular hashtags within specific niches.