Social Media Marketing Terminology: A Guide for Beginners

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Social media marketing is a broad term that encompasses a variety of activities, such as creating and sharing content, engaging with customers, and running paid advertising campaigns. In order to be successful in social media marketing, it's important to understand the terminology that is used in the industry.

Here are some of the most important social media marketing terms to know, with a focus on avoiding repetition:

  • A/B testing: A method of comparing two versions of a web page or social media post to see which one performs better. For example, you could A/B test two different headlines for a blog post to see which one gets more clicks.
  • Algorithm: The set of rules that determines how social media platforms rank and display content. Social media platforms use algorithms to decide which posts to show to users in their feeds. The algorithms are constantly being updated, so it's important to keep up with the latest changes.
  • Analytics: The process of collecting and analyzing data about social media performance. Social media analytics tools can help you track things like your reach, engagement, and conversions.
  • Average response time: The average amount of time it takes for a brand to respond to a customer inquiry on social media. Responding to customer inquiries quickly and effectively is important for building customer loyalty.
  • Call to action (CTA): A statement that tells the reader what to do next, such as "Click here to learn more" or "Sign up for our newsletter." CTAs are essential for social media marketing, as they help to drive traffic to your website or landing pages.
  • Curation: The process of selecting and sharing content that is relevant to your target audience. Curation can help you to build a following of engaged followers and to position yourself as an expert in your field.
  • Dark post: A social media post that is only visible to a specific audience, such as people who have opted in to receive your email list. Dark posts can be used to test new content or to target specific segments of your audience.
  • Engagement: The level of interaction between a brand and its followers on social media. Engagement can be measured by factors such as likes, comments, and shares.
  • Hashtag: A word or phrase preceded by the # symbol. Hashtags are used to categorize social media posts and to make them more discoverable.
  • Influencer marketing: A type of marketing that involves working with social media influencers to promote a product or service. Influencer marketing can be a great way to reach a large audience and to generate buzz around your brand.
  • Native advertising: A type of advertising that is designed to blend in with the surrounding content. Native advertising can be a great way to reach a target audience without interrupting their experience.
  • Paid advertising: The use of social media platforms to run ads that target specific demographics or interests. Paid advertising can be a great way to reach a large audience and to drive traffic to your website or landing pages.
  • Reach: The total number of people who see your social media posts. Reach can be measured by factors such as impressions and unique visitors.
  • Social media strategy: A plan for how a brand will use social media to achieve its marketing goals. A social media strategy should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
  • User-generated content (UGC): Content that is created by users of a social media platform. UGC can be a great way to engage with your audience and to get them involved in your brand.

These are just a few of the most important social media marketing terms to know. By understanding these terms, you can better communicate with your social media team and make informed decisions about your social media marketing strategy.