Competition in social media is fierce and the attention is fleeting, which means standing out is non-negotiable. When it comes to boosting your social media strategies, A/B testing can be the secret weapon you need to make sure your content gets closer to the bullseye every time you post.
How does A/B testing work in social media? As your go-to experts in digital marketing, the AMPED team is here to help. Let’s dive head-first into this essential online practice to see how you can make it a game-changer for your brand.
The ABCs of A/B Testing in Social Media
A/B testing, known in some circles as “split testing,” can be thought of as a science experiment for your marketing strategy. The process involves taking your social media content and dividing it into two separate versions — the A and the B — and setting them both loose on your target audience.
The idea is simple: you divide your audience into two random groups, and each one interacts with a different version. Next, you compare the responses to determine which version will be your star player.
Pro tip: keep it focused and minimize the differences. When you’re running an A/B test, make sure you change just one element between the two variations. This way, when you gauge your audience’s reaction to each version, you can pinpoint the one item that made the difference.
A/B testing, whether it’s in social media, email, or other digital marketing channels, is a practice that should be ongoing. Every campaign and every post can take advantage of A/B testing, and, if done correctly, can provide even sharper targeting, deeper insights, and better results as time passes.
What Is A/B Testing in Social Media Good For?
You might be wondering, “Why do I need A/B testing in social media when I’ve got general marketing best practices?” While general rules are great, one-size-fits-all approaches rarely work for long. Your audience is unique, so your approach will have to be unique as well.
A/B testing gives you the power to tailor your content to your fans. This is how you take your game plan from abstract concepts to tangible strategies. As you learn about your audience, you’ll discover their distinct preferences, dislikes, and even variations within different groups of your followers. After all, your Twitter fans might have different tastes than your LinkedIn connections.
You can also see which tactics work better. From testing various calls to action and headers to trying different images or colors, A/B testing gives you the power to refine your marketing efforts to know precisely what’s giving the best results.
What Can You A/B Test in Social Media?
A/B testing is a game that encompasses a broad range of topics. Here are a few examples of the most frequently tested elements:
- Post Text — See the response to differing post lengths, styles, tones, and even emojis.
- Link Previews — Try out some different headlines and descriptions for the articles we want to link.
- CTAs — Fine-tune your calls to action for the best levels of engagement.
- Images and Videos — Test out different thumbnails, formats, and lengths.
- Ad Formats — Discover which formats will grab your audience’s attention most.
- Hashtags — Social media is perhaps the best place to toy with different hashtag options.
- Target Audience — Discover how differing audience groups engage with your content.
- Profile — Remember that your profile, from your picture to your bio, may play a role in how your audience sees your content.
How to Run an A/B Test on Social Media
Think of running an A/B test as streamlining the perfect play for your social media playbook. The process is simple and straightforward, yet has shown remarkably effective results across all kinds of platforms. Here are the steps you should take:
1. Select an element. Start by deciding which aspect of your content you want to evaluate first.
2. Create two variations. Craft two versions of your content to post with a single, strategic element of difference.
3. Take your shots. Present each version to different groups of your followers.
4. Analyze the outcomes. Keep an eye on the results and carefully analyze them to determine which variation is the most successful.
5. Share the winner. Once you’ve found your winner, you’ve got some valuable data. You can either share that version with your entire audience, or you can continue testing different elements.
AMP Up Your A/B Testing Game
A/B testing is an extremely valuable tool in the ever-changing world of social media. By tailoring your content to your audience, you can grow your reach and improve your all-important online presence.
If you’re eager to take your social media strategy to the next level, you’re in the right place. AMPED is ready to be your MVP in A/B testing. Let’s inject some fire ASAP into your online presence and take your social media content to the big leagues. New fans are waiting to discover you.
Learn more about A/B testing with the pros. Get AMPED Today.
