How To Get More Social Media Followers When You Lack Name Recognition

What’s the secret to getting more social media followers? A large social media following is a surefire way to expand your brand – both personal and organizational – and encourage people to visit your website. But how do you get more followers if you are new to social media or lack name recognition (most of us)? Whether it’s video, photo or text, content is absolutely king! The most important ingredient for social media excellence is content. To attract new followers and be successful on social media, you need content that is either informative, helpful or entertaining. Check out my social media content examples from the advocacy sector for inspiration. But let’s say you already have great social content. Are there any tactics that will help you increase your social media followers? Yes! Through years of practice, observation and research, I have discovered – often by accident – multiple ways to increase followers across the social networks. […]

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5 Toronto Politicians Who Totally Get Social Media

Toronto expects its politicians to be open, engaging and authentic. And what better way to demonstrate these traits than social media. Politicians use social media to deliver announcements and key messages. That’s a given. A select few, however, truly understand the power of social media. These politicians go outside their comfort zone, using social media to show a more personal side while engaging in a meaningful two-way conversation with the public. So which Toronto politicians have the most engaging, open and authentic social media profiles? Check out my top 5 list below! 1. Norm Kelly No one does social media like Toronto Councillor Norm Kelly, who has more than 300,000 followers on Twitter. In addition to city updates, Kelly posts humorous tweets (see image below) that are retweeted hundreds – if not thousands – of times. In an interview with the CBC, Kelly said his tweets are designed to stir the pot, tickle the […]

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You Gotta Check Out These 10 Amazing Instagram Accounts From Toronto’s Culture Scene

Instagram has grown rapidly since its release in 2010. As of June 2016, the photo- and video-sharing mobile app and social network had 500 million active monthly users across the world – an annual increase of 100 million! An image is worth a thousand words Much, if not most, of Instagram’s success can be explained by the app’s dedication to visuals. Not surprisingly, many of Toronto’s top cultural institutions – from the Royal Ontario Museum to the National Ballet of Canada – are now using Instagram to showcase their offerings. Many of these institutions have adopted creative promotional tactics, from hosting contests to posting behind-the-scenes photos. Below are 10 of my favourite Instagram accounts from Toronto’s culture scene. 1. Toronto International Film Festival (@tiff_net) See promos and behind-the-scenes images on the TIFF’s Instagram account. TIFF is currently using the app to host its Shorts Festival contest. Smart! #TIFFxInstagram Shorts Festival is a new […]

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How to Cover an Event on Social Media from Start to Finish

Expand your event’s reach by reporting it live on social media! Long gone are the days when your event’s reach was limited to the number of butts you could get into the seats. With social media, you can now reach a potentially larger virtual audience, increasing engagement with your community along the way. But social media reporting is more than just sending out random tweets. To have a truly great experience, you will need to prepare in advance with plenty of marketing and planning, followed up by post-event marketing and analysis. Below are some tips on how to maximize real-time reporting to get your message out: Pick a social media platform Twitter is the best social network when it comes to real-time reporting and the favourite platform for media professionals, who may want to cover your event. If you’re planning for a more intimate, invite-only event, consider hosting with a […]

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8 Social Media Content Types You Haven’t Thought of Yet

To be a great advocate on social media is to be a great communicator. With this in mind, it shouldn’t be a surprise that content and engagement is the secret sauce of social media advocacy. Ideally, your social content should be multi-dimensional, serving multiple purposes – from fundraising to public awareness – and hitting all the right emotional notes. Your social content should also speak to your brand and how your organization is achieving its vision. I’ve provided below 8 different examples of content that I hope will inspire your next social media move. 1. Success stories When people donate and contribute to your cause, they want to know that their support is making a difference. That’s why it’s crucial your organization shares posts on social media that highlight success stories and progress. In the Facebook post below, Plan Canada – the architect of the “Because I’m a Girl” campaign […]

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