In this blog, &Smyth Creative Communications’ Senior Account Executive and Instagram blogger; Clóda Scanlon, divulges her latest social media and digital marketing insights and tips

Recently I was invited to speak at the virtual Limerick Media & Arts Conference, organised by Wired FM for those interested in creative media and communications. With my background of having my own personal blog and Instagram, Orange Obviously, as well as my role at &Smyth, I joined a panel of social media enthusiasts to discuss the topic of Millennial Media and Marketing. 

The other panellists were also social media content creators with backgrounds on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter. We each shared our experiences with social media and how we have carved niche platforms for our millennial audiences to enjoy.  

The digital space can often seem like an oversaturated market, but I have dissected some of the best tips from the panel which can help any business, content creator or personal brand to stand out online. 

Here’s 3 simple tips to keep in mind when creating online content:

Whether you are a content creator, an established brand or digital marketer, there is often one goal in mind – how to connect with your target audience. My main takeaway from the panel discussion was the importance of engaging with your audience on a personal level. People love to see and hear from other people and their experiences; they want to be brought on that personal journey and it is a key tactic for achieving strong results online. 

Find ways to show your personality online whether it’s through a casual medium like Stories or the more interactive elements of social media such as live streaming, poll taking and engaging with comments and DMs.  

Be real. Be honest. Be true to YOU and your brand values and the right audience will come along. 

Social media is constantly evolving; almost daily there is a new feature, new app, or new method for mastering the virtual world. Showing your audience that you are actively tuned in to the world around you will make you a stand-out leader in your industry and one worthy of following. 

Social media trends and global news come and go, so it is very important to not only take part in the discussions but to get out ahead of the crowd! Make the best use of your unique voice online by researching constantly, monitoring social media trends daily and networking with industry peers. Identify whether your audience is looking for entertainment, inspiration, or education, and create content accordingly. 

Depending on your personal social needs, it is harder for some to communicate with colleagues through technology alone. A lot of people need human contact and body language to communicate. For an intern it is reasonable to argue that taking in first-time instructions online is always more difficult than in person. It will also naturally take longer to ask questions or get feedback. In that case, take this time to understand your task and take in what is being asked of you. Racing through an email to get straight on to the work does not benefit anyone and is in fact more of a burden and pressure on yourself. Your mentor, supervisor or colleague has taken time to brief you, you have every right to take time to absorb the task and think about it. This will prepare you for the job at hand and you will be able to start asking the right questions that will benefit your learning the most.