Social Media, 20 Years Later: How to Stand Out
With over a billion new posts daily across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram, social media engagement is tough to come by.
It’s been 21 years since LinkedIn began. 20 since Facebook, 18 years since Twitter (X), 13 since Snapchat and 8 since TikTok began. Many posts simply drown in noise: an analysis from NP Digital found that nearly 60% of social media posts had no likes, comments, or shares — after reviewing more than 5 million social posts. Neil Patel, is Co Founder of NP Digital, Owner of Ubersuggest and the co-host of one of the most popular marketing podcasts, Marketing School with Neil Patel and Eric Siu.
How to stand out in the social media crowd:
- Avoid Copying Popular Content: Replicating what others do usually backfires—it’s not new to your audience.
- Don’t Post Excessively: Quality matters more than quantity. Posting too much low-quality content hurts your reach.
- Skip Expensive Production: High production value doesn’t guarantee engagement; simple, authentic content often performs better.
- Track Strategically: Tailor content to each platform. What works on one may flop on another.
- Be Original and Bold: Share fresh ideas and unique perspectives.
- Provide Real Value: Offer data, insights, and educational content.
- Leverage Relevant Trends: Focus on trends that relate to your brand.
- Collaborate and Go Live: Partnering with others or going live can boost visibility and engagement.
By focusing on these proven strategies and cutting out time-wasting habits, you’ll get more results from social media.
More on Social Media from Neil Patel and Eric Siu
Growing on social media is much like being a reliable employee: consistency is key. Success depends on understanding the types of content algorithms prioritize, while finding a balance between organic reach and ad revenue. Using ads strategically can both generate income and attract loyal followers. It’s also important to focus on creating distinctive, authentic content that captures attention. However, be cautious about scaling too soon, as this can make it difficult to sustain quality and engagement as your audience expands.