Creating a social media update seems pretty easy, but there is a science behind it.
Getting your social media update formats right is essential to getting new followers, more traffic and more business. The trick is knowing the social media types and updates that work the best.
Here are some of the best social media formats to grow social media followers and the followings for clients.
Twitter Update Formats
Share Amazing Articles
To be a good social media user you have to be a good media follower. Be a resource for the best and most interesting content in your industry. Share hidden gems that are articles, videos and images from various sources.
Reply to Tweets Related to your Business
Your reply will make it clear that you have common ground and make the recipient more likely to follow you. You may also want to reply to tweets about your local area, as someone in London will be more likely to follow a company that is based there than somebody who lives in Manchester.
Repeat Most Popular Tweets
Look which of the updates that you posted got the most retweets and replies. Repeat them a couple of times at 8-12 hour intervals to reach people who missed them the first time round.
Post Links to Interesting Websites
People will be more likely to follow your Twitter feed if it links to interesting external content.
Post Pictures
An image is much better than 140 characters at gaining people’s attention.
Facebook Update Formats
Highlight A Follower Comment
Show that you read your Facebook comments and mention a comment in a new update.
Use Hashtags
They will help people to find you.
Mention Other Brands in Updates
Make sure that they aren’t in competition with you. They will be likely to see what you’ve said and may include you in a future update.
Tell A Story
Stories do well in all types of media including on Facebook.
Mention a Follower Who Shares your Target Audience
Example: ‘ted360 new blog posts’
LinkedIn Update Formats
Ask Questions
This will help to engage Twitter users.
Avoid Overly Promotional Updates
The trick is to seem as if you are conversing with your audience as opposed to advertising to it.
Share A Report Or Study
LinkedIn professionals love data.
Post Quotes from Other Sources
This will help you to maintain interest without being overly reliant on posting links.
Run a Competition
It doesn’t have to be a giveaway or something like that. See who can find information online or see who knows an answer to a question.
Universal Social Media Update Formats
Mention Your Target Customers
Talk about a good experience you’ve had or how impressed you are with something and mention your target customer.
Share Content Created By Your Target Customer
Pay it forward by sharing the articles, videos and other content your target followers have created.
Focus on Value
Concentrate on updates that contribute to conversations and remain relevant to them.
Share Tips
Not every update has to be to a blog post or article. Share a simple tip each day.
Post Photos
People like to see photos of people. Share some photos of you and your staff to give your brand personality.
Have Polls
People like to get involved when you ask them to contribute to polls.
Ask For Opinions
People like sharing their opinions on certain topics. Ask for opinions and you can learn some things about your customers while engaging them.
Post Your Videos
Video is becoming a huge part of the online world. A video update on social media seems to always do well.
Add Your Thoughts To A News Item
You don’t have to report the news. Adding your thoughts on top of a headline gives additional value to those that follow you.
Inspirational Messages
According to Twitter, the most effective tweets are those that contain content aimed at inspiring. It works on Twitter and other social networks as well.