If you are an avid social media user, you have probably seen your fair share of social posts – some good and some bad. It may seem easy to create great posts and you’re right – it is! If you read our 8 Simple Steps for Success with Social Media you are well on your way to mastering social. And with these key elements, you should have no problem growing your audience and creating killer posts.
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1. Content is Key
In Wonka terms, content is the “Golden Ticket” to creating killer posts. Your content should be both relevant and interesting. Don’t mistake this, however, for being industry specific. While industry specific content is crucial, your audience will also appreciate lighter easy-going content. The goal here is to give your followers something they find helpful, useful, interesting or relevant. Don’t give them content they regret clicking on. And, as always, remember the 70/30 rule. 70% of content relevant industry information and 30% about your company.
2. Know Your Medium
It is equally important to choose which platform is appropriate for your message so, writing content specifically for that platform helps. LinkedIn can support over 400 characters per post, inviting you to deliver more meaty posts. On the other end of Wonka’s chocolate river, Twitter moves at the speed of sound and is nearly impossible to over post on. Be sure you are using each platform to its fullest potential and check out Twitter Newbie? - @Mentions and #Hashtags and Tweets – Oh My! For more tips and tricks to increase engagement and cut through the Twitter noise.
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3. Make your Posts Irresistible
Writing killer posts is basic psychology and intuitively we all know what makes a great post. It hooks you and reels you in, much like the many temptations of Wonka’s chocolate factory, and makes you want to click it or share it.
Here are a few examples to help you write great posts with a hook:
Example 1 – Tell them What they’ll Get (or not): If you click this link, you will not be sorry. If you don’t click it, you might miss out.
Example 2 – Ask for Feedback: I think this, what do you think?
Example 3 – Tempt them with a Break: This is the funniest/cutest/saddest thing I’ve ever seen so you should click.
Example 4 – Provoke their Competitive Side: You need to know this or you’re behind the times.
Example 5 – Solve a Pain Point: This or that made me a better (fill in the blank) marketer, parent, worker.
Using these examples as guidelines, it becomes easier to draft posts that are tempting and well worth clicking.
4. Keep it SOCIAL
The name says it all – Social Media is meant to be social. The reason we post is to build a social presence and engage with our audience. Try to form your posts in a way that leaves them open-ended and invites discussion. For instance, looking at example # 2 we are directly inviting our audience to engage with us. It is important to mix up the types of posts to spur the ongoing discussion on social.
Is there more to creating killer posts than listed above? Absolutely. We could go on and on, but ultimately it comes down to you. You have that unique attribute that makes you, you and gives your posts personality. Much like Charlie learned in Wonka’s chocolate factory, you must find your own way to make things work!
