By the Lenoretech SEO Strategy Team · Reviewed by a senior SEO strategist · Last updated: June 2026
The main types of social media marketing are organic content, paid social ads, influencer marketing, community management, social commerce, user-generated content and social listening. Most brands combine several - organic builds trust, paid scales reach, and influencers and community add credibility. Here is what each involves. For the basics, see what social media marketing is.
| Type | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Organic content | Free posts, reels and stories to build audience and trust |
| Paid social ads | Targeted ads to reach beyond followers and convert |
| Influencer marketing | Creators promote you to their audience |
| Community management | Engaging, replying and building loyalty |
| Social commerce | Selling directly in-app via shops and lead ads |
| User-generated content | Customers create content that builds proof |
| Social listening | Monitoring mentions to learn and respond |
1. Organic content marketing
The free posts, reels, stories and videos you publish to build an audience and trust over time. It is the foundation everything else rests on.
2. Paid social advertising
Targeted ads on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and more that reach beyond your followers and drive specific actions - leads, sales or reach - fast.
3. Influencer marketing
Partnering with creators to promote your brand to their engaged audience - powerful for reach and social proof, especially for D2C. See our influencer marketing services.
4. Community, social commerce and UGC
Community management builds loyalty through engagement; social commerce sells directly in-app; and user-generated content turns happy customers into your best marketers. Together they turn an audience into a business asset.
See our social media marketing services or book a free strategy audit →
Which types should you use?
Most brands start with organic content plus paid ads, then add influencers and community as they grow. The right mix depends on your goals and audience - map it out with a social media strategy, or book a free strategy audit.