Every month, we’re sharing bite-size summaries of the top social media best practices, examples and trends we’ve come across. Both from our own experience working with our clients, and from what we’ve been reading around the web.

See if you can apply these April tips to accelerate the reach, engagement and follower growth of your pages and business accounts. Just make sure to always test before changing your strategy entirely, as not every technique works for every type of account and audience.

Want even more social media trends, news and ideas? Check out our November 2021, October 2021, and other monthly roundups.

1. Boost your social engagement with short-form podcasts

Ever wanted to start a podcast, but not sure how or where to find the time?

Voetbalflitsen achieves an average of 9,000 listens per episode with their 2-minute podcasts. They invest little to no time, and found no need for a separate podcast platform. How?

1. Spending 5 minutes putting together their 2-minute podcasts.
2. Recording themselves via Skype.
3. Posting on social media using our templates with auto-generated audio waveforms.

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Want to give podcasting a go? Get in touch with your account manager or request a demo to find out more about our templates with auto-generated audio waveforms.

2. Prioritize vertical video formats on social media

New research found that vertical mobile video ads perform better than horizontal ones, even when both are viewed in full-screen. Vertical video ads tested on Facebook led to more views to completion and engagement. They were also 13% easier to mentally process. And the effect was stronger for younger generations.

While this research tested video ads, the trend for vertical format is accelerating across all video content. Not surprising when more than 75% of all video viewing is now on mobile. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok and even (somewhat) YouTube are all encouraging their users to adopt vertical formats.

So, try prioritizing vertical video formats across your social media channels — especially if you’re going after a younger audience — to test its effect.

3. Put your people forward to create a sense of community

People are more likely to want to work or engage with people they know, like and trust.

Put this to the test by spotlighting your employees, partners, players and even customers on social media. This should help humanize your brand, build relationships and create a sense of community among your audience.

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Sports teams are a great example of this. From goals to lineups, quotes and happy birthday visuals, they constantly put their players and other team members in the spotlight, which sees them securing high levels of engagement.

4. Add a question in the comments to get the conversation going

Looking to increase engagement on your social media posts? 433 suggests adding a question in the comment section right after you’ve published your post.

This should encourage users to respond and interact with your account, and even with each other.

5. Social recruitment isn’t just about posting job vacancies

Our recent survey showed that employer branding and recruitment specialists create social media content about life at the company (celebrations, new starters, workplace tours, employees at work, etc.), as much as they do about job vacancies.

So, when it comes to social recruitment, don’t just think about job posts.

Vary your content to show what it’s like to work for your organization, share employees’ stories and more. This should help you increase reach and engagement, and, ultimately, fill more job vacancies. Discover our other 6 employer branding best practices.

6. Stay up-to-date with the latest social media news

Here are the top social media platform updates and releases we’ve been hearing about in the past month:

• Instagram stories drafts are coming soon: This will give you more flexibility and allow you to post your updates at the most relevant times for your audience. When is it coming? Instagram hasn’t put a date on it yet, only that it’s coming soon.
• Instagram is testing auto captions for stories: While some users are already able to access this option, the process is currently only in testing.
• Twitter is testing full-image display: This means no more cropped images. But also that the creative “open for a surprise” image approach is no longer possible.
• Twitter is testing an undo option for sent tweets: Not quite the edit option many people are after, but it’s a potential compromise.
• TikTok launched a TikTok for Business profile: TikTok will use this account to share marketing tips and tricks to help you grow your brand.

Spotted last month 👀

Did you catch us in RKC Waalwijk’s or FC Utrecht‘s social media admin cam? Great to see that we’re such an essential part of the social media teams’ matchday routines.

We’d love to see what your matchday routine — or even day at the (home) office — with Content Stadium looks like! Tag us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram with your social media video.

Discover more social media tips from our experts

Read our top social media tips and trends for March 2021, discover our 7 social media best practices for employer branding, or check out the 5 tricks companies can learn from sports social media templates.