Storytelling, Not Selling: Effective Social Media Management Strategies For Great First Impressions

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, making a lasting impression on social media is something brands must do.

Social media usage has surged over the last few years, presenting a prime opportunity for brands to build trust and reach new customers. According to The Sprout Social Index™, 53% of consumers say their social media usage in the past two years has been higher.

Put Your Best Foot Forward On Any Platform.

As a marketing agency, we aim to stay ahead of the curve, so you can focus on what matters most. This blog explains how to make an effective social media management strategy so you can put your best foot forward.

Our SMART Tips For Starting Your Platform-Specific Social Media Management Strategy.

Start your social media management strategy by defining clear, realistic and SMART goals tailored to each platform for maximum engagement and impact. It’s crucial to avoid the one-size-fits-all approach—each platform has its own purpose and audience preferences.

Your social media management goals should guide every aspect of your plan, whether enhancing brand awareness or boosting engagement.

Short Form Video Is A Key Element For Your Social Media Strategy.

With the rise of TikTok, Instagram Reels and Snapchat, short-form productions have become the go-to format for content consumption among users of all demographics. Incorporating short-form video into your social media management strategy has become imperative for brands seeking to capture audience attention and drive engagement.

Short-form video captures the audience’s interest and attention amidst a stream of constant digital noise. According to Sprout Social’s 2022 Index™, consumers overwhelmingly gravitate towards short-form videos, finding them 2.5 times more engaging than static or long-form content.

Therefore, integrating short-form videos into your social media strategy isn’t just about staying ahead of the curve—it’s meeting your audience where they are and delivering content that resonates with their behaviors and preferences.


Audiences are ad-exhausted and increasingly look for brands that share organic and “lo-fi” content on their profiles as a break from traditional advertising.

The Crucial Ingredient For Brand Success On Social Media Is Authenticity.

Social media is an ever-evolving world, but authenticity remains the cornerstone of brand success.

Authenticity is more than just a buzzword. Authentic brands don’t just tell their story—they live it.

Audiences are ad-exhausted and increasingly look for brands that share organic and “lo-fi” content on their profiles as a break from traditional advertising. 90% of consumers say that authenticity is important when it comes to deciding what brands they like and follow.

Your social media management approach should be based on relatable and real content. This will remind your audience of the people behind your brand and help you form connections with your followers.

The goal is to captivate and intrigue people, fostering a connection beyond driving sales. According to Forbes, relatable experiences and stories not only make your story memorable but also encourage people to share it with others.

Organic Content Goes Hand-In-Hand With Authenticity.

Unlike highly polished and curated content, organic content is more genuine and accessible to audiences. An unfiltered approach resonates particularly well with younger demographics, who value authenticity and transparency from brands. Brands such as Glossier and Duolingo have capitalized on this type of content by utilizing organic photos to curate their feeds.

Although 68% of consumers say the main reason they follow a brand on social media is to stay informed about new products or services, you should avoid solely sharing promotional messages or pushing sales pitches on their accounts. Instead, strike a balance between informational and organic, non-promotional content to engage your followers.

Estland Examples Of “Lo-Fi,” Authentic Content

Here’s a peek behind the curtain of some recent Estland LinkedIn posts.

screenshot of social media engagement stats from a LinkedIn post from an Estland team lunch
LinkedIn engagement stats for Estland social media post behind the scenes filming
Social media engagement statistics of recent Estland team bonding outing

These each performed extremely well with high click-through and engagement rates, especially for organic posts. (For reference, the average engagement rate on LinkedIn is between 1 and 3%.)

These posts exceed our sales-driven content’s performance due to their authentic, storytelling nature. They resonate with people, and they certainly don’t look like ads.

Being #Real On Social Media Works.

With effective social media management, compelling stories take precedence over traditional sales pitches. Storytelling on social media taps into the human desire for connection and engagement.

In essence, social media storytelling involves sharing narratives on various social platforms to engage and captivate a specific audience. Unlike traditional advertising, which often feels intrusive or impersonal, storytelling and organic content allow brands to create genuine, emotional connections with their audience.

Rather than focusing solely on driving sales, effective brand storytelling aims to pique curiosity and connect with audiences, laying the foundation for long-term engagement and loyalty.

Partner With Estland For Expert Social Media Management & Beyond.

Our team crafts tailored strategies that resonate with real people and drive engagement and growth. From compelling content creation to strategic community management, Estland helps you build meaningful connections and amplify your brand’s voice in the digital sphere. Contact us to schedule a discovery call!

Work With A Marketing Agency That Understands Authentic Social Media Management.