An Interview With Our Social Media Content Creator, Courtney Raguso
Written by Courtney Raguso, Social Media Content Creator
The rate of our online activity has increased more than ever in the past year. As people continue to seek out community and connections online, social media platforms have become a place for opportunity and refuge. When it comes to creating content, there are many factors that come into play. When social media came out, people used it to socialize, share and connect. Today, we’re living in a time where people want more interaction and deeper connections where quality is valued over quantity of content. Being on social media today and having a strong online presence means being visible to potential customers. When you are visible on the market, you have the opportunity to spark interest and gain attention for your business. Digital marketing is far more cost-effective because it allows you to measure your results and use data to your advantage to better target your audience. Social media allows for social networking which is an essential part of any marketing strategy. Many business owners think it’s easy to do it themselves, but most of them don’t have the time to nurture their social presence and give their presence the attention it needs to get a positive return. The job of a social media content creator is to focus on creating eye-catching, relevant content that promotes your business in a way that’s not salesy. To take a further dive, we interviewed our Social Media Content Creator, Courtney Raguso to get her insight on her role at MSM and where she thinks social media is headed.
What do you enjoy about your role at MSM and creating content?
“I get to be creative every single day! The beauty of what I do is getting to work on the ‘fun part’ of running a business and thinking of creative ways to promote it. We all think it would be cool to own a business, but running it on your own can be very difficult and there are a lot of different roles you’d have to take on, such as accounting, handling inventory, managing accounts, and of course paying the bills. As a content creator, I get to think of all the creative ways we can promote a business without having to take on the load and responsibility of being the owner of it. Think of being a babysitter who loves kids. Kids can be a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. The babysitter gets to enjoy the child but then goes home without having to be responsible for paying the bills! I love what I do and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
How did you determine the style, tone, and voice for a recent piece of content you have to write?
“It all starts with the brand you are promoting. Each brand is unique, and you have to tailor a custom strategy for each one. That includes having a unique brand voice and knowing the audience to whom you are speaking. It’s wrong to think that you should be speaking to everyone, because not everyone is your target audience. If you are being too general in your posts, you will end up talking to a lot of people that aren’t even interested and end up wasting your time and money. Analyze the brand you are speaking for, and keep in mind who you are speaking to as well.”
Have you created content that entertained or educated your readers?
“Creating content is about entertainment and education! Marketing isn’t just about salesy promotions, but figuring out creative ways to do it. Yes, you can sell a product without screaming FLASH SALE BUY NOW! You don’t want to be jumping down people’s throats because they will get annoyed. By adding value to your content and making it useful to the person viewing it, they will be more inclined to trust your brand and feel like they can gain value from it beyond just what the product offers. Creating content that delivers value is what makes your social media content successful.”
How do you decide what topics to focus on?
“It varies, but I usually look for what’s trending and most relevant in the moment. When you are relevant, people will be more responsive to your content and find interest. It also depends on the brand for which you are writing content. For example, if you are writing a blog for a painting company, you will only want to discuss topics around painting and real estate. Relevancy is key.”
What makes content successful?
“Always lead with data first. Data beats emotions, and we can use it to curtail our strategy moving forward. Researching what others are doing can also be helpful to gain insight on what’s working online with your competitors. Just keep in mind that you should never copy someone else. Your brand and audience is unique and something that may work for one brand might not work for another. Trial and error is the only way to really test and see what works best for your brand. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and try something new. You may be surprised with the outcome. Test test test!”
How do you decide what type of content to create?
“It depends on what we want to achieve for that particular post. If you want to educate your followers, a video may be a good choice. A behind the scenes video calls for more interaction than a static post of a quote that resonates with your brand. It all depends on what you want to achieve. Also, diversification is another thing we have to keep in mind. When you switch up your content and create different forms of it, you can keep it interesting and never end up boring your audience. Always focus on what brings them value. Listen to them and join the conversation.”
How do you know if your content has performed well?
“High engagement rates of course! The more comments, likes, and shares we receive the better. Unless it’s negative comments. Don’t ignore those. Word of mouth spreads fast, and instead of running away from your problems, it’s best to face the issue head on and make it right with your audience. They will appreciate the realness behind your brand and it will be easier to recover when you admit your faults. No human is perfect, and a brand performs best when they are authentic. So don’t be afraid to show that there are real humans behind your brand and own up to your wins AND losses.”
How do you approach a topic you haven’t looked into before?
“Research as much as possible. Research everything! Look at every source you can find. When you limit your sources, you may be missing out on important information. The more articles you read, the better idea you will have on what’s accurate and what’s not. Always look for reputable sources like Forbes or Statistia. Yes, there is inaccurate information on the internet, and not everyone is qualified to be talking about certain topics, but if you can fact-check the articles with more backed research, you should be in the safe zone.”
What is your favorite type of content to create?
“Hard question. I love it all! Making graphics, pretty much anything visual is a lot of fun for me. I wouldn’t consider myself advanced in the graphic design department, but it can still be a lot of fun to chip in when I can and learn more overtime. I also love writing blogs for MSM giving advice on digital marketing and am always looking for new trending topics to discuss. Planning what to post on social is also a lot of fun because you get to take on a different brand each time! I always love diversifying the content and try to always switch it up to keep things interesting. Thinking of creative ways to get an audience talking isn’t easy, but is always rewarding when you find something that clicks with the audience.”
Where do you think digital marketing is headed?
“Digital marketing is the future. Traditional may still exist a few years down the road, but I believe digital has dominance over traditional at this point. People are demanding more from brands and expect to see them show up in the best way possible. As a brand, you should be thinking of what you can do for your customers, not what they can do for you. They will pick up on that and will know if you aren’t truly authentic about your intentions. When you are marketing online, you have the opportunity to get the attention of so many new potential customers. The best way to obtain those audiences is by staying true to your brand and channeling your purpose… beyond the sell. People seek community and connection, and the online world has so many niche communities that you can be a part of or even create.”
Creating content for social media can be quite a challenge. It takes a lot of creativity and analytical skills to be able to figure out what works best with your audience. With the right amount of work, time and dedication, you will see a positive return on your investment. Social media goes beyond sharing announcements and promoting your product. It’s about connecting with your audience and showing the world that there is more to your brand that meets the eye. Every brand is unique and every strategic marketing approach will differ, so there is no quick one size fits all answer. It’s going to take time to make a turn around with lots of trial and error, but you can imagine how much easier having available data online to apply towards your strategy instead of playing a guessing game. According to recent studies, social media usage is one of the most popular online activities and in 2021, over 80% of the population in the United States uses it to stay connected. Social media has gone mainstream, becoming an integral part of people’s lives and daily routines. It’s the first thing people do when they wake up and the last thing they do before going to sleep. The competition is high because everyone is online now and there is an overload of content. Attention spans have decreased, making it even harder to stand out. That’s why we have experts over here at MSM to help you make the most of your online presence and get you on the right track for success.
At MSM DesignZ, we put in the time and energy needed for success, so you can ensure you are using every dollar for maximum return. With over 20 years in the business, we have watched marketing evolve from traditional to digital. Whether you need a website refresh, more attractive email, or a quality online presence, we can do it all. When we take on a client, we put in 110% and treat every brand as if it’s our own. We will always continue to place our clients’ needs at the heart of our operations. From web development to social media management, we’ll work directly with you to build a personalized strategy to not only retain but also gain business. We are assisting in all areas for our clients. Visit our contact page at https://www.msmdesignz.com/contact/, and we’ll work with you to devise a custom plan that will keep your brand alive and well. We look forward to working with you!