Live Project / Social Media Audit
Introduction
Why a Live Social Media Project Matters
Understanding the theory of social media marketing is one thing—but applying it to a real-world scenario is where actual learning happens. A Live Project or Social Media Audit gives learners an opportunity to evaluate, diagnose, and recommend improvements to a real brand’s digital presence. This hands-on approach develops analytical thinking, builds confidence, and bridges the gap between education and practical application.
What Is a Social Media Audit ?
A social media audit is a structured process of evaluating a brand’s social media channels to determine what’s working, what needs improvement, and what can be optimized. This involves reviewing content strategies, engagement levels, visual branding, and audience behavior.
It’s similar to a health check-up for a brand’s online identity. Regular audits can reveal opportunities for growth and areas of weakness, helping brands fine-tune their messaging and performance across platforms.
Scope of the Live Project
The scope of the live project can vary based on course structure. In most cases, students will perform an audit on an existing social media account (such as a small business, startup, influencer, or even their own profile). Some projects might involve suggesting improvements, while others might go as far as creating and scheduling content or designing post templates.
Optional extensions may include creating a one-week sample content calendar or implementing small improvements directly on the account (if permissions are available). This not only adds practical experience but also builds a strong portfolio for future job applications or freelance gigs.
Steps in a Social Media Audit (Project Flow)
1. Define Objectives
Start by understanding the brand’s core objective on social media. Is it brand awareness, driving traffic to the website, generating leads, or community building? Knowing the end goal helps guide your analysis
2. Review Profile Setups
Check if profile bios are complete and optimized with keywords, CTAs, and updated links. Ensure that usernames and handles are consistent across platforms. Profile pictures and cover images should reflect brand identity.
3. Evaluate Content
Scroll through the most recent posts on each platform. Is there a variety of content formats—such as reels, carousels, stories, or static images? Is the content aligned with the brand voice? Are captions engaging and error-free?
4. Analyze Engagement
Look at the average number of likes, comments, and shares. Do followers regularly interact, or is engagement low? Pay attention to which types of posts get more attention. Use built-in analytics tools (e.g., Meta Insights or YouTube Analytics) to study performance trends.
5. Check Hashtag Strategy
Review the hashtags being used. Are they generic or targeted? Are there branded hashtags? Is there an opportunity to explore niche, location-specific, or trending hashtags to reach more relevant audiences?
6. Evaluate Follower Quality
Look beyond numbers. Are the followers authentic, or are there signs of fake/bot accounts? Is the audience actually aligned with the brand’s target customer demographic?
7. Competitor Benchmarking
Choose two or three competitors and analyze their content. How often do they post? What kind of visuals and tone do they use? Are they receiving more engagement or reaching a broader audience?
8. Suggest Improvements
Based on your findings, prepare a list of actionable recommendations. These might include content improvements, profile optimizations, hashtag changes, better posting schedules, or tone adjustments. Always back up suggestions with rationale.
9. (Optional) Execute a Mini Strategy
As a bonus step, create a few sample posts or a short content calendar (e.g., one week of planned posts) that applies your recommendations. If allowed, implement the changes and track improvements over a short time.
Case Study: Real-Life Application
A student performed a social media audit for a growing home decor brand. The brand had beautiful products but inconsistent posting, outdated bio links, and a lack of storytelling in captions.
The audit revealed that their engagement dropped by 27% over two months due to infrequent posting and repetitive product photos. The student recommended a revised content strategy that included “before and after” room transformations, client testimonials in reels, and educational posts about design tips. They also created new highlight covers and a hashtag set.
Within one month of implementing these changes, the brand saw a 44% increase in post reach and a 31% rise in saves. The student added this case study to their portfolio and was later hired as a junior content strategist.
What to Submit
Students completing this project should submit the following:
• A detailed audit report (can be a PDF or slide presentation)
• Screenshots of current metrics and sample posts
• Competitor benchmarking summary
• A list of strategic recommendations
• (Optional) A mini content calendar or post mockups
• (Optional) Before-and-after insights if implementation occurred
This documentation showcases the student’s ability to analyze, strategize, and execute—an essential skill for any digital marketer.
Conclusion
A Social Media Audit live project transforms learners into thinkers and doers. It fosters decision-making skills, encourages creativity within boundaries, and introduces real brand challenges. More importantly, it gives learners something tangible they can showcase in interviews, freelance portfolios, or even startup pitches.
When theory meets practice, skills become confidence—and this module is a powerful step toward that transformation.
