In partnership with

What Even Is Social Media Marketing? Explained By A Marketing Executive

Hey Everyone… Let’s Talk Social.

Scrolling through Instagram and getting paid $50 an hour to do so?! Absolutely ideal. You’re always on your phone; that must be such a blast. You do TikTok dances all day; how fun must that be? Seriously, I want to work with you!

In a world of fast-growing and massive consumption, social media marketing is not what people imagine. Social media is seen as a hobby and nothing more by the common eye. But let me tell you, it's much more than just scrolling and dancing. If I were to condense what social media is into the 11 letters of "social media," here’s what it would be. 

This cannabis startup pioneered “rapid onset” gummies

Most people prefer to smoke cannabis but that isn’t an option if you’re at work or in public.

That’s why we were so excited when we found out about Mood’s new Rapid Onset THC Gummies. They can take effect in as little as 5 minutes without the need for a lighter, lingering smells or any coughing.

Nobody will ever know you’re enjoying some THC.

We recommend you try them out because they offer a 100% money-back guarantee. And for a limited time, you can receive 20% off with code FIRST20.

Shop Now.

This is the true meaning of social media… let me break it down for you. 

S - Strategy

Behind every viral post and successful campaign lies a meticulously crafted strategy. It’s like playing chess with the internet, where you have to anticipate trends, know your audience, and plan your moves accordingly. Without a solid strategy, your content is just a drop in the vast ocean of social media.

O - Operations

The operations side of social media marketing is tedious and crucial because literally one mess-up will trickle down to affect the end results. It involves managing schedules, coordinating with team members, and ensuring everything runs like a well-oiled machine.

Along with scheduling, it’s about maintaining the day-to-day workflow and having a forward-thinking mind that can predict every possible problem that might come your way. From content creation to posting and engagement, it’s a continuous cycle that demands precision and efficiency. Each detail matters, and any slip-up can lead to a domino effect, impacting the overall success of your campaigns.

C - Clients

Ah, clients—the lifeblood of any agency. Client partnerships are like being in a romantic relationship; you have to have clear communication and constantly remind them why they chose to be with you and why they should stay. Keeping them happy requires understanding their needs and delivering results, but it also takes time and effort from both ends to make something work and learn from each other. It's about building relationships and trust, which is no small feat in the ever-changing world of social media. Just like any good relationship, it demands patience, dedication, and mutual growth.

I - Inspiration

Inspiration is essential in social media marketing, but it doesn’t come out of nowhere. The creative side of the brain needs stimulation to generate ideas. That’s where brainstorming sessions, looking for inspiration, and even scrolling through the feed come in. In the creative world, we don’t just come up with a great idea by thinking hard about it. We're creatives, of course, we’re going to run dry of ideas sometimes and then randomly have an idea pop back in.

If we're just copying trends or putting out content because it 'makes sense' for a post, there's no real inspiration behind it. Without genuine creativity, there’s nothing to be proud of. True inspiration leads to original, engaging content that stands out and resonates with our audience. It’s what makes the whole endeavor worthwhile.

A - Analytics

Analytics is the backbone of our work. Everything we create is intentional. We look beyond how many views or likes a video gets; it's also about the watch times, clicks, and shares. These are the metrics that show if the video is making an impact on the viewer. Understanding these details influences the type of content we put out moving forward. It's not just about popularity; it's about meaningful engagement and making sure our content resonates with the audience on a deeper level. But of course, when a video goes viral, it's an accomplishment that at one point seemed so unattainable.

L - Learning

The world of social media is constantly evolving, which means we have to be perpetual students. New platforms, algorithms, and trends emerge regularly, and staying ahead of the curve requires continuous learning and adaptation.

M - Mistakes

Mistakes will CONSTANTLY occur, and it appears like there’s no grace. One wrong post, one misunderstood trend, and it can feel like the end of the world.

But mistakes are also opportunities to learn and grow, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.

E - Expectations

Expectations in social media marketing are sky-high. Quick turnover, every video is a commercial, and everything has to go viral. But it all starts with trust. Those you're servicing have to trust your experience before they set these expectations. Essentially, you can't have high expectations for someone you probably don't even trust. Meeting these expectations while maintaining quality and authenticity is a balancing act, and building that trust is the foundation of delivering results.

D - Deliverables

Deliverables are a huge part of social media marketing, and let me tell you, the workload can get insane. It's not just about posting content; it's about meeting deadlines, creating reports, and managing engagement metrics. The sheer volume can be overwhelming, and when edits or last-minute changes come in, it can back up everything. We’re not working machines or AI; we’re real people juggling multiple tasks. Sometimes, it feels like a constant race against the clock to get everything done and keep the quality high.

I - Innovation

Innovation in social media marketing isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It's about finding new ways to call attention to others. How can we position a brand differently? What can we incorporate that is untraditional or will stand out? Sometimes, yes, trends can help with engagement, but how can we take those trends and make them our own? How can we build our own trend? These are the questions we ask ourselves. It’s about pushing the boundaries, trying new things, and figuring out what makes content pop in a sea of posts. It’s a constant challenge to keep things fresh and engaging, and it requires a mix of creativity and strategic thinking.

A - Affirmations

Finally, affirmations. Reminding yourself and your team (if you have one) that you’re doing great work, even when the likes and shares don’t seem to reflect it. Social media can be a tough gig, but a positive mindset and affirming your work make all the difference.

So there you have it—the true meaning of social media, broken down letter by letter. It’s a wild ride filled with challenges, mistakes, and high expectations, but also with strategy, innovation, and constant learning. And yes, there’s a bit of fun in there too.

Written By: Aylin Madrigal - Chief Marketing & Operations Officer at Brand Geniuz