One of the biggest challenges many small business owners have when it comes to social media is content. I am regularly asked “what can I share?” “How do I keep my audience tuned in?” When marketing your business through social media platforms it needs to be consistent. You need to commit time and energy to keeping those spaces busy with content. Bit like keeping shelves stacked in a store. When empty, people tend to lose interest.
Now, marketing your business should be a mix of activities but many choose to focus on social media as it is quick and easy to do. However, it is not easy to keep content on your platforms 5 days a week, 48 weeks of the year [that's taking out weekends and 4 weeks holiday!!] leaving 240 pieces of content to be researched, crafted, shaped and posted. Add in a couple of other platforms and you can soon see that a lot of time is needed. Which is why quite often social media accounts tend to have ups and downs. When a business owner is busy, less posting of content. When they are less busy, more content. And not always the right content.
The purpose of content is to inspire, entertain, educate and engage. The mix needs to take into account the customer journey and repeated cycles within your business, without always being a full on promotion of you and your business.
So what constitutes a good steady flow of content that can help stimulate engagement from your audience? Here are some suggestions to help craft your flow of content. Craft content with YOUR audience in mind. Always accompany text with a visual. Visuals help stimulate desire to get involved.
Inspirational
Quotes, testimonials, challenges you have faced along the way, has your product/service met a customer challenge? Are you involved in an inspirational community activity?
Educational
Can you link back to blog posts? Can you provide quick and easy How Tos? Are there frequently asked questions that can help educate? Do you host a Youtube channel? Can content from here be shared across your platforms? Do you have user generated content available?
Conversational
Adding content that gets your audience to respond allows you to understand your potential and existing customers. You are giving them a chance to get involved, and engage in 2-way conversation that in turn helps develop relationships. Seek to ask relevant questions. Put out polls. For elements of fun share a photo and add “caption this”. If you are offering a new product or service ask for opinion.
Promotional posts
When promoting your services and products OK, it is your page, but be mindful of your audience. You need to strike a balance of not too much and not too little. When posting regular relevant, educational, entertaining and conversational content your promotional posts can slot seamlessly in between. Think about whetting their appetite with give-aways and competitions.
If you need help in crafting or creating content, or need a friendly pair of eyes and ears for your ideas, let me know!
Yours socially
Micala
Now, marketing your business should be a mix of activities but many choose to focus on social media as it is quick and easy to do. However, it is not easy to keep content on your platforms 5 days a week, 48 weeks of the year [that's taking out weekends and 4 weeks holiday!!] leaving 240 pieces of content to be researched, crafted, shaped and posted. Add in a couple of other platforms and you can soon see that a lot of time is needed. Which is why quite often social media accounts tend to have ups and downs. When a business owner is busy, less posting of content. When they are less busy, more content. And not always the right content.
The purpose of content is to inspire, entertain, educate and engage. The mix needs to take into account the customer journey and repeated cycles within your business, without always being a full on promotion of you and your business.
So what constitutes a good steady flow of content that can help stimulate engagement from your audience? Here are some suggestions to help craft your flow of content. Craft content with YOUR audience in mind. Always accompany text with a visual. Visuals help stimulate desire to get involved.
Inspirational
Quotes, testimonials, challenges you have faced along the way, has your product/service met a customer challenge? Are you involved in an inspirational community activity?
Educational
Can you link back to blog posts? Can you provide quick and easy How Tos? Are there frequently asked questions that can help educate? Do you host a Youtube channel? Can content from here be shared across your platforms? Do you have user generated content available?
Conversational
Adding content that gets your audience to respond allows you to understand your potential and existing customers. You are giving them a chance to get involved, and engage in 2-way conversation that in turn helps develop relationships. Seek to ask relevant questions. Put out polls. For elements of fun share a photo and add “caption this”. If you are offering a new product or service ask for opinion.
Promotional posts
When promoting your services and products OK, it is your page, but be mindful of your audience. You need to strike a balance of not too much and not too little. When posting regular relevant, educational, entertaining and conversational content your promotional posts can slot seamlessly in between. Think about whetting their appetite with give-aways and competitions.
If you need help in crafting or creating content, or need a friendly pair of eyes and ears for your ideas, let me know!
Yours socially
Micala
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