Lessons from a Social Media Bootcamp-Part One

We Went to Bootcamp - Part One

While we’ve been doing this work for a while, we signed up for UMSL’s Social Media Marketing Bootcamp to codify our knowledge and stay up to speed on the latest trends in social media marketing. In the two-day intensive, we learned that some things remain the same whether you learned marketing in 1990 or 2024. And likewise, some things are brand new and every changing. The session was very valuable and we highly recommend taking a course from Brianna Miller at UMSL if you have the opportunity.

1. Strategy First: Always Know Your "Why"

One of the first lessons from the Bootcamp was that businesses often jump into social media without a clear purpose. The trainers emphasized starting with a solid strategy:

• Define your goals. Are you looking to grow brand awareness, drive website traffic, generate leads, or engage existing customers?

• Understand your audience. Where do they spend their time online, and what type of content resonates with them?

• Map out a content calendar. This ensures your efforts are consistent and aligned with your overall business objectives.

Takeaway: Social media without a strategy is just noise. A focused approach leads to measurable results.

2. Quality Over Quantity

The days of posting daily for the sake of staying visible are over. The Bootcamp stressed that businesses should prioritize creating high-quality, meaningful content—even if that means posting less frequently.

This includes:

• Crafting posts that solve a problem or provide value to your audience.

• Investing in eye-catching visuals, whether that’s professional photography, well-designed graphics, or engaging video content.

• Avoid "posting for the sake of it" and ensure every post aligns with your brand’s voice and goals.

Takeaway: Posting three impactful, audience-relevant posts weekly is better than pushing out seven that go unnoticed.

3. The Power of Video Is Here to Stay

Video continues to dominate. From short-form videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels to longer-form content on YouTube, video was highlighted as the most engaging type of content across nearly every platform. And note: YouTube is coming on strong with the addition of shorts.

Key tips shared:

• Keep it short and engaging—viewers decide within the first 3 seconds if they’ll keep watching.

• Add captions to make videos accessible and engaging for users who watch without sound.

• Experiment with behind-the-scenes clips, tutorials, and storytelling formats.

• Don’t be afraid to get started! It does not need to be perfect. You know your subject best and you have something to offer the world. Put it out there!

Takeaway: Video content is non-negotiable in your social media strategy. Start small if you’re new to it, but make it a priority.

4. Community Engagement Matters More Than Ever

Another major focus was the shift away from treating social media as a one-way broadcast. Social platforms thrive on interaction, so engaging with your audience is critical.

Best practices include:

• Responding promptly to comments, messages, and mentions.

• Encouraging conversations by asking open-ended questions in posts.

• Engaging with other accounts in your industry—social media isn’t just about self-promotion!

Takeaway: Social media is about relationships. Actively engaging with your audience builds trust, loyalty, and a sense of community.

There’s more! Stay tuned for our next post and we’ll unpack it for you!