According to Pew Research Center, seven out of every 10 Americans use social media today. That’s good news for marketers seeking to reach target audiences using digital platforms. But it also means those key audiences are far more diverse than what’s reflected by typical marketing efforts. As this resource from Google points out, there are countless layers of diversity that go beyond gender or skin color. By creating more inclusive marketing efforts, you not only better represent your current audience, you’ll improve engagement with potential new followers. Developing accessible and inclusive content is more than just a smart marketing strategy. Given the harmful and stereotypical ways marginalized communities have been historically depicted (or ignored altogether), marketers have a profound opportunity to include as many perspectives as possible. Accessibility and inclusion are not just buzzwords—they’re a call-to-action requiring a multidimensional focus. Here’s where to start: AccessibilityFrom different cognitive abilities to auto-immune diseases to levels of hearing, many of us live with disabilities. The CDC estimates one in four adults in the U.S. live with a disability, and even more are likely to experience some sort of impairment as they age. Disability-inclusive marketing should represent and be accessible to all people, regardless of ability. Fortunately, there are a number of features already baked into your regular social media channels that incorporate users of different abilities. These changes are relatively easy to implement:
Want to learn more? We recommend checking out this and this. Inclusion“Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion” is not just that 2-hour training you were required to have as a part of employee orientation. As marketers, we are responsible for communicating to our target audiences in approachable and action-oriented ways. But we are also responsible for how our language (and graphics) can impact online users. Here are some ways you can ensure your content is more inclusive:
ConclusionAs communicators, we should always be striving for inclusivity and accessibility. Taking steps to increase accessibility and inclusion in your social media posting should become a part of your content routine. And the best part is, it’s easy to do while making a huge impact on your community. For additional reading on this topic, check out:
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