Getting your voice heard on social media can seem like an uphill struggle. You scroll down page after page of Facebook and Twitter updates and can’t see how to make your posts the eye-catching ones that get the clicks.
To get noticed, you need to offer something that the others aren’t. It’s easy to write a social media post, but unless you write something relevant, it’s just going to drown in a sea of posts. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you have to follow the same format as everyone else, just because you are using the same medium of communication.
Conversations
Social media is not about telling people things and expecting them to read them passively and just absorb. It is interactive – it’s all about conversations. That makes it powerful and exciting, but also a little scary, as it can mean a loss of control. Don’t be scared – you’re just talking to your customers. Those who are willing to engage on a meaningful level will be the ones who succeed in getting people to listen.
Knowing you should have a conversation is not the same thing as successfully starting one. Try these as conversation starters – over time you’ll see what works best with your audience.
- Tell people why you are posting links and make sure that the links you post are useful. People are unlikely to give you a second chance if you keep linking irrelevant articles.
- Don’t get hung about about links, though. A social media post can be standalone content. Try asking a question and seeing what happens.
- It’s not you, it’s them. Remember that you are having a conversation – so don’t just post about a new product and then run. Engage by commenting on the world and the things that are likely to be going on in your readership’s lives.
- Tell people who you are. Social media is your chance to speak to people on a personal level. Show them what makes your business tick, what it’s like to work in your office and how you all have fun together.
- Get feedback. People love to give opinions…so ask them for them. It’s useful to know what they think and helps you engage.
Social media won’t make your business successful by itself. You need good products and a solid, content-rich website too. But it can play a vital part in getting you new customers and sales. If you haven’t tried it yet – what have you got to lose?
