Ask Questions
Asking questions is a great way to connect with readers and is fantastic for getting likes, shares, and follows, especially if the questions apply to your audience. Make sure the questions are direct rather than convoluted.
Post About Something Interesting
It seems obvious enough to post about interesting topics, but it’s important to keep it in mind every time you’re ready to write a social media post. You may find it interesting, but ask yourself if your readers will, too.
Start Them Off With a Bang
It’s ideal to start your social media post off with a hook, something that will grab the reader’s attention and inspire them to continue on. If it’s boring, it’s easy enough for readers to simply move on to the next post. The post should be short, concise, attention-grabbing, and relevant to the corresponding message.
Post During Ideal Times
Make sure you put your posts out into the world when your audience is most likely to see them. Many people will agree that approximately 9 a.m. could be ideal. However, you also want to consider where your audience is.
For example, 9 a.m. is a great time to post during the week if your audience is primarily in the United States. However, if you’re vacationing in Japan and want to reach the same audience, that means posting at 8 p.m. your time.
Test out different posting days and times. What works for one brand might not necessarily be ideal for you. Review the analytics for more information.
Include Appropriate Hashtags
Include hashtags in your post that will attract readers based on their search queries. As funny as some custom hashtags are, make sure you’re also including relevant ones that people are currently and actively searching for.
It’s your choice where you want to include the hashtags in your post. You could put them at the end of your caption and lump them together or set them as the first comment.
Post According to What’s Going on in the World
One of the most important things you need to do is be aware of what’s going on in the world and post accordingly. Many brands and people’s reputations have taken a hit due to a lack of awareness. Don’t make the same mistake. Ignorance — intentional or otherwise — may get you likes and shares, along with plenty of attention, but probably not the type you want.
Do a quick internet search to see what’s going on in the world at least a few times a day, especially first thing in the morning, right before you write a social media post, and immediately before you send it out to the world. It might seem like overkill, but it’s often much easier to prevent a social media problem than it is to clean up the mess.
Make Them Visually Appealing
Social media posts lacking images or videos can get lost in the shuffle even if you have an easily scannable format. Include visually appealing videos and photos that are relevant to your post, ones that will inspire your readers to like and share.
For example, don’t simply write about how great a recipe you made is. Include an image of the finished product and — even better — the recipe itself.
Don’t Be Long-Winded
People don’t often want to read long-winded social media posts. They want easily readable information that quickly gets to the point. Be honest and direct, and keep the post as short as possible while still including all the necessary relevant points.
Social media posting can seem daunting, but it comes down to trial and error and finding what works best for you and your audience. Keep notes about what seems to be working (and not working), adjust your approach accordingly, and keep pushing forward until you find the right formula.
Looking to enhance your social media strategy? Contact My Marketing Department today at 727-888-1200, and let us help you create engaging content that drives results.