Advertising
Layoffs in Adland: Omnicom's acquisition of IPG nears finish line. But at what human cost?
What are the 7 Cs of social media and why do they matter?
The 7 Cs framework underscores that social media success is multi-dimensional.
Together, these pillars help marketers understand how to build meaningful engagement and measurable outcomes online.
Social media has become the heartbeat of modern communication, commerce and culture. For brands, creators and businesses alike, success on these platforms depends not on chance but on strategy. While there isn’t a universally fixed definition, many experts point to the “7 Cs of social media” as a guiding framework — Content, Community, Conversation, Connection, Curation, Creation and Conversion. Together, these pillars help marketers understand how to build meaningful engagement and measurable outcomes online.
1. Content: the cornerstone
Content is the foundation of social media. Whether it’s a 15-second video, a podcast clip, or a carousel infographic, content must be engaging, relevant and tailored to platform-specific audiences. It is what attracts attention and keeps people coming back.
2. Community: beyond followers
Numbers matter, but real influence lies in building a community. This means nurturing loyal audiences who interact, share and advocate for a brand. Strong communities create trust, which in turn strengthens brand equity.
3. Conversation: the two-way street
Social media isn’t a broadcast channel; it thrives on dialogue. Replying to comments, engaging in threads, and even participating in debates turns passive followers into active participants. Conversation humanises brands and drives deeper engagement.
4. Connection: creating relationships
Connection goes a step further than conversation. It’s about forging lasting relationships — between brand and consumer, or among consumers themselves. Authentic connection builds emotional resonance, a key factor in long-term loyalty.
5. Curation: choosing wisely
Curation involves selecting and sharing relevant content from other sources. It demonstrates thought leadership, ensures a steady flow of engaging material, and helps position a brand within wider cultural and industry conversations.
6. Creation: adding originality
While curation is important, creation sets a brand apart. Original campaigns, unique formats and innovative storytelling showcase creativity and give audiences something new to engage with. It’s how brands build their distinctive voice in a crowded feed.
7. Conversion: turning engagement into action
Ultimately, social media strategy isn’t just about likes or shares — it’s about outcomes. Conversion refers to driving measurable actions, whether that’s sales, sign-ups, downloads or other key performance goals. Without conversion, even the most engaging campaigns risk being all buzz and no impact.
The 7 Cs framework underscores that social media success is multi-dimensional. It’s not enough to post content; it is important to foster a sense of community, drive conversations, cultivate connections, and balance curated and original creation — all while keeping an eye on conversions. In an increasingly noisy digital landscape, applying these principles can help brands cut through the clutter and deliver lasting impact.
SPOTLIGHT
According to LinkedIn’s research with over 1,700 B2B tech buyers, video storytelling has emerged as the most trusted, engaging, and effective format for B2B marketers. But what’s driving this shift towards video in B2B? (Image Source: Unsplash)
Read MoreExplained: Standing Committee’s draft report on India’s fight against Fake News
India’s parliamentary panel warns fake news threatens democracy, markets and media credibility, urging stronger regulation, fact-checking, AI oversight and global cooperation.