Dos and don’ts of social media for celebrants

Navigating social media marketing as a celebrant can be daunting, especially when you’re using it to try and attract couples and families to book you. But, with the right approach, it’s a VERY powerful tool for your business. Here are some essential Do’s and Don’ts:

Social media for celebrants – Do:

Choose your platform/s wisely

Work out where your audience hangs out online and spend time there. Be it Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Pinterest. It can take time to build a social media audience, so it makes sense to pick 1 or 2 platforms where you feel most comfortable to start with, and as you get more confident and pick up momentum, you can add more platforms if needed.

Repurpose content

Repurpose content to save time and reach different audiences (if it’s gone viral before, it’s likely to go viral again!). Plan ahead and create bigger pieces of content that can be broken down into smaller pieces

• Write a blog and then use it as a video script or vice versa.
• Create a blog from a social media post
• Download audio from videos, interviews, add an introduction and turn it into a podcast you can embed on your website or share with prospective clients.
• Turn a blog into several social media posts or reels
• Take the main points from a blog and turn it into a carousel

See how we repurpose some of our celebrant blogs into carousel posts on the AMC Facebook page.

Use different media types

Use various media types to keep posts fresh and engaging (P.S. it’s not only about Reels on Instagram anymore – get the carousel posts out there!).

• Video – reels, YouTube Shorts, live streams, long-form video explainers etc, interviews, audio over image
• Posts – standard Facebook / Instagram posts
• Audio – podcasts, readings, (hint – record part of your ceremony and place the audio over a stock video or image to turn it into a video)
• Blogs & articles – blogs, guest blogs and articles

You might like: The 10 things you need to be a successful celebrant in 2024

Interact with your audience

Social media is supposed to be social. It should be a 2-way conversation, so interact with your audience to foster engagement and connection. Ask open-ended questions and encourage your audience to share their own stories or experiences. Remember – people love to share their opinions and be helpful, so ask for opinions or recommendations and build a genuine connection with your audience.

Showcase your personality

Show your company’s personality to stand out in a crowded space. Remember, everything is branding! Choose what you share to showcase the parts of your personality you want your audience to see, talk about things that will excite and interest your audience and make it relevant to your business.

Before you post anything remember… Know, Think, Feel, Do.

• What do you want your audience to know? i.e. have you got a Wedding Fair coming up that you’d like them to visit you at, or do you want them to know you’ve still got availability this summer
• What do you want them to think? I.e. This person is really passionate/ knowledgeable about what they do or this person is hilarious/creative/caring
• How do you want them to feel? i.e. Seen/ understood, inspired, happy, motivated
• What do you want them to do? What action do you want them to take? include a single, clear call to action for each post i.e comment below, DM me, read the article, share this post, schedule a call etc.

Read More: Branding for Celebrants: An Essential Guide

Capture your followers’ details offline

Every time the Facebook or Instagram platform goes down, you’ll find social media feeds filled with panicked posts from people who’ve been locked out of their page or group and can’t access their hard-won audience or followers. Whilst you can’t avoid this, you can mitigate the damage by building your email list with your followers so you don’t lose contact entirely if your social media platform of choice disappears or switches up the algorithm on you. Offer a freebie in exchange for an email and use a platform like Mailerlite, which is free for up to 1000 subscribers.

Check your analytics

Utilize analytics tools to maximize impact and results. Before you repurpose or create new content, check to see what has performed well in the past and create similar content. If you notice shorter reels perform better than longer videos, perhaps your time is better spent batch creating multiple short-form video.

Social media for celebrants – Don’ts:

While there are no hard and fast rules for social media, steer clear of doing these things and you should be off to a good start

Don’t Bombard followers with irrelevant content

Be thoughtful with your posts. Bombarding your followers with content that’s irrelevant to their interests or your services, can lead to disengagement or even unfollows. Each post should be crafted with intention, aiming to inform, entertain, or inspire your audience, while remaining aligned with your brand identity as a celebrant. Thoughtfulness in your posts reflects your understanding and respect for your audience’s time and attention, nurturing a loyal and engaged community that looks forward to what you have to share.

Don’t stick to one media type if it’s not working; adapt based on what resonates.

Diversifying your content is key to engaging a broader audience. If a particular media type isn’t yielding the engagement you hoped for, it’s time to pivot and experiment with different formats. Videos, images, blogs, and podcasts each have their unique appeal, and by varying your content, you can discover what truly resonates with your audience. Pay attention to your analytics to guide your strategy, ensuring that your content always aligns with your audience’s preferences.

Don’t ignore negative comments; address concerns calmly and constructively.

While it can be tempting to overlook negative feedback, addressing concerns with calmness and constructive responses can turn challenges into opportunities. Engaging with your audience, even in less-than-ideal circumstances, shows that you value their input and are committed to improving their experience. This approach not only helps in maintaining a positive brand image but also fosters a community of trust and openness.

Don’t copy others’ channels; differentiate your brand to stand out.

In a digital world full of noise, differentiation is your superpower. While it’s useful to observe what others are doing, copying them won’t set you apart. Focus on what makes your brand unique—be it your storytelling approach, your visual style, or the way you interact with your community. Emphasizing your distinct qualities will help you cut through the clutter and attract an audience that appreciates what only you can offer.

Don’t post content at random times; share at peak times to reach your audience effectively.

Timing can significantly impact the visibility and engagement of your posts. Leveraging analytics to understand when your audience is most active online can help you schedule your content for maximum reach. Sharing your posts during these peak times ensures that your content finds its way to your audience amidst their bustling social media feeds, increasing the likelihood of engagement and shares.

and lastly and most importantly

Don’t let social media stress you out.

Try new things and don’t get attached to them being successful first time round. Keep being curious. Happy posting!

In conclusion, as a celebrant navigating the complex landscape of social media and marketing, it’s essential to stay flexible, responsive, and true to yourself and your brand’s identity.

Embrace the diversity of content, engage with your audience constructively, and celebrate your unique brand to stand out. If you find yourself in need of further guidance or inspiration, our CPD trainings are specifically designed to help celebrants like you refine your social media strategies and marketing efforts. Dive into our resources to unlock your full potential in connecting with couples and families seeking your services.