Lessons from a Social Media Bootcamp-Part II

Our previous post shared four takeaways from our Social Media Bootcamp at UMSL earlier this year. In this second installment, we share more takeaways to encourage you to get the most our of your social media opportunities.

5. Paid Advertising: Small Budgets, Big Impact

With even small budgets, you can test and learn about what works for your audience. Whether using Google Ads, Ad Words, Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, etc., PPC (pay per-click) gives you a lot of quick data and insights and, most importantly, CONTROL!

• Create audience segments that look like your best prospective customers. Many social platforms have built-in tools to help you identify demographics and psychographics.

• It’s not one-size-fits-all. Use targeted campaigns to reach specific audience segments.

• Test different creatives, headlines, and calls to action.

• Monitor your metrics on performance and adjust as needed. 

Takeaway: Even small budgets can drive positive results if spent strategically.

6. Data Is Your Secret Weapon

One of the most eye-opening parts of the Bootcamp was learning how to analyze social media metrics effectively. Understanding your data helps you know what’s working, what’s not, and where to adjust.

Key metrics to monitor:

• Engagement rates (likes, comments, shares) to assess content relevance.

• Website traffic from social media to your website to track conversions.

• Audience growth and retention rates.

• Beyond the likes, comments, and shares, 

Takeaway: Consistently review your data to refine your strategy and focus on what drives results.

7. AI Tools Are Game-Changers

Artificial intelligence won’t replace your creativity, but it can kickstart it. AI tools are helping marketers save time while improving performance. There are more tools available than ever before. Being specific in your prompts can make a big difference in your results. Avoid straight cut and paste, though. It is important to shape the results to reflect your brand and voice and bring authenticity to your messaging. 

Try AI for:

• Brainstorming captions and blog topics.

• Creating professional-quality visuals.

• Social listening to brand mentions and trending conversations.

• Keyword research for SEO

Takeaway: If used properly, AI will save time and enhance creativity.

This Bootcamp reminded me that social media success isn’t about mastering every platform—it’s about understanding where your audience is and delivering value consistently. Whether you’re a small business or a growing startup, the key is to focus on what resonates with your audience, track your performance, and adapt as needed.

We are excited to take these lessons forward and help businesses like yours navigate the ever-changing social media landscape. If you’re ready to step up your social media game, let’s connect—Mindy and Kathleen would love to share these strategies and help your brand grow.

Here’s to building more robust, innovative social media strategies in 2025!