When it comes to social media marketing one thing that intimidates my clients is the idea of having to create new and engaging social media content every day! When you are first starting out in social media you might not know what to say and sometimes we just need a little inspiration. So here I will talk a little about the different types of social media content and give some ideas on how you can use them.
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What is Engaging Social Media Content?
Great question! And not one I can answer directly for you. Everyone’s audience will respond to different things. For example, one client I have (a church) we post all kinds of great social media content on our Facebook page. From images to scripture to video we cover everything, but the type of post that gets the most engagement? Anything that is an image of something going on in the church. Pictures of how the sanctuary is decorated, photos of something special in the service, photos from events. These are the types of posts that keep their audience happy and engaged. So we work hard to find that type of post each and every week.
The best advice I can give you if you are just starting out is to be bold and be brave (but stay on brand) and try new things to see what your audience responds to. Here are some examples of different types of social media content.
Types of Social Media Content (and where to find it)
Even though you are a business you do not always need to be business-like. Show that your company has a personality in the type of social media content you post on your page.
Images
Everyone loves a great image. A candid shot of people or posed. Capture those spur of the moment adventures with your clients or staff and share them with your fans. Find ways to have your fans interact with that image. You could ask for a suggested caption to a photo, ask people what they thought happened next or use it to jump-start a vote.
Don’t have a lot of images lying around? Then ask your fans for help! If you are a restaurant or a brick and mortar encourage your customers to share photos showing off your items.
Polls
Polling is always fun and doesn’t have to be overly business-like. Use polls as a chance to get to know your audience or get feedback on things you might be working on. For example, some of my clients around Thanksgiving like to poll for best side-dish or pie.
Video
Video is such a great way to engage with your audience. These days you can go live on Facebook with your audience (unnerving I know but so much fun!). This could be a great way to announce something new in your business. For example, if you are a restaurant and have a new drink/dish to share or maybe a retail store that wants to unveil a new product line. These types of events can be planned in advance or happen in the spur of the moment but to see people in action is always a big draw for engaging social media content.
Pro Tip: Another way to create a video on Facebook without actually going live – create a slide show of images! You can do this in Facebook or using a free tool like Lumen5.
Ask A Question
Thats right, just ask your audience a question. Are you struggling with something in your business? Are you trying to make a decision? Ask your fans! They will love feeling included in the direction that your business is taking.
Share Information
This one is a favorite strategy of mine, especially when you are first building your own social media content. Find business or writers that you support and admire that have a message that will resonate with your fans. Share their work! For example, if you are a wedding planner, then find articles and resources to share with your brides! You don’t have to re-invent the wheel. Follow their blogs/websites and post new information when you see it.
When sharing other’s articles or images, don’t just hit share. Add in your voice. Tell your audience why you thought they need that information, ask them a question or highlight your favorite part of the article. Even though the information is not yours, your fans want to know why you think they need it.
Quote
There is nothing like a great quote that can be inspiring, motivational or just funny. Pinterest has a host of these out there that you can grab and share. Another option would be to brand it your own and use your own imagery and branding when creating your post (Canva is great for this!). Again, when sharing to Facebook engage with your audience by adding in your comments to the post.
Tips
We all have advice we want to share, so why not share it? If you are a restauranteur share a cooking tip, if you are a retail owner share tips about your products, if you are an online marketer share what you know! We are people who devour information. We want to learn new and exciting things – so why not teach your fans in small bite-size pieces.
Bonus! If you have staff get them involved in creating the tips.
Be Engaging
The ideas are all around us. On Facebook people are looking to you and your business to be more human. So act like your business is human and engage. Think about the conversations that your fans are having (or that you want them to have) and promote that. Engage everyone in the process of getting this social media content, your customers, employees, and suppliers.
Let’s get talking! I would love to hear ideas that you have found success with when finding social media content for your business. What resonates with your fans?
Want to remember this article? Save it to your favorite social media marketing tip board on Pinterest!
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