If you’ve been on the internet at all in the last few years (or have read anything about creating a digital marketing strategy for your business), you know that social media marketing is basically ruling the business world.
As a social media manager, I see how having a good, solid plan for social media campaigns affects your business. It’s not only a way to make sales, but also a space to connect with and continuously show up in front of your clients, which is basically the best thing you can do for your business in a society that has access to the internet at the tap of a finger at any given moment.
So, if you’ve been slacking on the social media marketing front – because, let’s face it, you’re a busy business owner – here’s what you need to know about creating a social media marketing strategy!
Why You Need Social Media Marketing
Social media is where almost every business’s target market lives. About 75% of the US population uses social media regularly, so if you’re not showing up in front of those people… You’re definitely missing out on eyes.
Some benefits of utilizing social media marketing include (but definitely aren’t limited to):
- An increase in website traffic
- Lead generation
- An increase in sales
- Customer interaction
- Brand visibility
Different platforms bring different types of growth, but when you create a comprehensive plan that’s rooted in strategy and actually works for you is when you see the magic happen.
What Platforms You Should Actually Be Using for Social Media Marketing in 2026
A lot of businesses push social media marketing to the back burner because when you’re wearing all the hats as a business owner, you don’t want to add “marketer” to that list, too. And let’s face it, trying to learn a different strategy for 10 different platforms? That takes precious time and energy that you may not have!
So, let’s break down the social media platforms that are actually worth your time to market on in 2026. Of course, every business will be different and may not need consistent posting on every single one of these platforms, but as a general rule of thumb, these are the systems I’ll always recommend to my clients:
Instagram has basically been singlehandedly ruling the social media marketing game for a few years now. There are tons of active users on the app constantly that you have the opportunity to pop-up in front of.
While the best practices for Instagram marketing shift constantly, my top tip is to be consistent. Don’t fret if you can’t get a viral post (those are overrated, anyway), and just focus on connecting with your target clients. Trust me, it makes it a lot more fun and a lot less stressful when you do it that way.
Instagram is best for:
- E-commerce brands
- Local or online businesses
- Service-based businesses
TikTok
Short-form video content has been trending in the social media marketing world, and TikTok is the ruler of it.
TikTok videos are a great place to show off how your product is used, lifestyle content, and even UGC content that’s attention-grabbing and educational, all at the same time.
TikTok works really well for:
- Online businesses
- E-commerce brands (that can sell on TikTok shop)
- Service-based businesses
Pinterest is a platform that’s underrated, and uses a totally different strategy. It works more like a search engine than a social media, so the content you put here is more SEO-based than connection based like the other social media apps are.
Consistency and keyword-rich Pins are a great way to reach new people, and since it works as a search engine, you’ll be popping up in front of people who are actively searching for your product or service. We love when social media marketing feels easy!
The types of brands that should be on Pinterest are:
- Service-based brands
- Online stores
- Bloggers
YouTube
Last, but certainly not least, is YouTube. YouTube has been around for decades, and is consistently the most-used social media platform almost every single year.
If your business can benefit from how-to videos, long-form video content, or even vlogs… Let’s chat about a YouTube strategy.
I always recommend YouTube to:
- Brands that sell specific products
- Educational-based brands
More Digital Marketing Strategy Tips Beyond Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing works best when it’s paired with a rich strategy that hits every part of your business. For example, you’ll always want to make sure that your social media posts have a purpose that will bring your clients all the way through the sales funnel, from that initial awareness to the final click!
Here are some digital marketing strategies that I recommend pairing with your social media marketing strategy:
- Blogging
- Freebies
- Email newsletters
- SEO
Social Media Marketing in Action: A Father’s Day Instagram Campaign for Scent + Psyche
I had the honor of working with candle brand Scent + Psyche on a recent social media marketing campaign, and it was the perfect opportunity to mix strategy with connection.
Scent + Psyche focuses on feel-based candles, so I wanted to use that to create a Father’s Day campaign that actually meant something. I could have easily used stock photos for the whole design. Instead, I started texting.
Friends and family sent me their real memories. The slightly faded fishing trips, the hikes, the dads holding the camera, or the baby, or both… They brought that feeling you can’t get from a stock photo. We used these images across their Instagram feed all the way to customer inboxes with a targeted email blast.
The result? People feeling the campaign instead of just seeing it, feeling like they were being sold to. And that’s the difference in a social media marketing campaign that just follows rules and one that actually creates something special.
Monarch House Creative | Social Media Manager
If you’re reading this and feeling a little excited (but also a little overwhelmed), I’ve got you covered. The good news? You don’t have to do this all by yourself! Schedule a chat with me here, and we’ll create a social media marketing package that works with your schedule, your budget, and your business.
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