What Exactly Is Social Media Marketing?

Aug 11

Let’s be honest — “social media marketing” gets thrown around a lot.

You hear it in every podcast. See it in every ad. Every marketer claims to “do it.”
But what does it actually mean? And more importantly: what should it be doing for your business?

Here’s a straight-up definition — no jargon, no hype.

The Simple Definition

Social media marketing is using platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or LinkedIn to:

Build awareness around your business
Connect with your ideal customer
Share valuable content that positions you as an expert
Convert followers into leads or clients

That’s it. It’s not about going viral. It’s not about trending audio.
It’s about using social platforms strategically to grow your business in a way that makes sense for you.

What Social Media Marketing Actually Includes

Depending on who you hire (and what you pay for), here’s what social media marketing can include:

Platform strategy and audience research
Brand voice development
Content planning (what to post, when to post, why it matters)
Caption writing that educates, entertains, and sells
Graphic and video creation
Reels and short-form editing
Posting and scheduling
Comment and message management
Analytics and performance reviews

If you’re working with a marketing team in Windsor, Detroit, Hamilton or Toronto, a strong social media marketing package should always include strategy, content creation, and performance tracking — not just “posting.”

What It’s Not

Let’s clear a few things up:

It’s not just “posting pretty graphics.”
It’s not just “talking about your business.”
It’s not a magic wand that works without a clear brand or offer.

Good social media marketing is intentional. It’s built around your brand, your audience, and your business goals.

Why It Matters for Local Businesses in Ontario & Michigan

Whether you're running a service-based business in Windsor, launching a new brand in Toronto, or competing with national franchises in Detroit — social media can help you:

Show up where your customers already are
Share what makes you different (without chasing trends)
Stay top-of-mind without relying on word-of-mouth alone
Educate and build trust before people ever hit “inquire”
Drive real, measurable growth

This is especially powerful in smaller cities like Windsor or Hamilton, where local trust and visibility can make or break a business.

Why Buttered Branding Doesn’t Do Cookie-Cutter Social

At Buttered Branding, we don’t believe in generic marketing.

We build custom social media strategies that reflect your business goals, your values, and your unique voice — whether you're in Toronto or Tilbury. Every post is part of a bigger picture.

If you’re tired of guessing what to post or wondering why your social media isn’t converting, we’re the team that figures it out for you — and helps you show up like the brand you are.