Content previews are quite important for success in social media marketing. Fortunately, there are simple rules that can help improve them and make overall social media marketing more effective.
We often write on social networks without much thought. Some messages reach their intended audience, while others do not, and it can be unclear why this occurs. However, a successful social media post can be created by following a set of rules. By using this checklist and some helpful tools like a social media scheduler, you can more effectively reach your audience.
Therefore, we have compiled such a list for you. Try checking your content against these eight tips. Additionally, before doing so, decide what you are generally trying to promote on social media.
Ensure that the message is useful or entertaining.
Social media users are most fond of posts that entertain or teach. This is the type of content that is liked and shared the most. What does your post teach you? How does it entertain your target audience? If it lacks either of these elements, it may be time to add them.
Select the appropriate presentation style.
Different messages require different languages. Have you chosen the appropriate one? Is it appropriate to write ‘Dear Sir’ to the participants of a tattoo conference and familiarly address them to an unfamiliar audience? This is usually not a major issue, but it is still worth checking to be sure.
Maintain an appropriate length for your post.
The shorter the message, the easier it is to read and the more effective it is. Is it possible to shorten your post and fit everything into three paragraphs instead of twenty? If so, then do it. Additionally, research the recommended lengths of posts for different social media platforms and ensure that your posts fall within these limits. Do not forget to use emojis, special characters, and the ability to mention other users on social networks. Finally, run the text through online checkers to reduce wordiness.
Include the appropriate link.
Imagine that you wrote an announcement for a conference on Facebook and accidentally attached a link to your favourite shop. This would be unfortunate. Another problematic situation is when you post an article from a resource and then realise that the link is broken, so no one will be able to read it. Remember that links in your posts can affect the reach of your audience.
A separate task is tagging. Each link on social networks should have tags that allow it to be tracked and included in your analytics data.
Include relevant hashtags.
Hashtags significantly increase the reach of a message. Have you added hashtags to your posts? Are these hashtags accurate and not too popular? It is generally recommended to use no more than three hashtags per post. This is especially important on Instagram, where some users have a dump of #cats and #self instead of a post. A professional guide to hashtags on social networks may also be helpful.
Verify spelling and punctuation.
People do not enjoy reading posts with errors, as they are distracting and can make your clients anxious. Have you checked your posts for errors? Use a spell checker in a text editor or any service. A specialised post editor can also be helpful, particularly if it has a built-in typographer who can properly format quotation marks and dashes instead of hyphens.
Include pictures or videos.
Social media users are attracted to visual content. Pictures and videos receive more attention than even the coolest text. Did you forget to attach a picture to your post? Consider using tools to help you create visually appealing content.
Finally, there are a few more pieces of advice to keep in mind. For example, do not post emotionally. While people may enjoy reading about heated arguments on Twitter or blowouts on Facebook, such messages often do more harm than good. Make sure your post is more useful than just expressing emotions. Additionally, ensure that you do not offend anyone or reveal secrets in your message.
Do not overuse posts. Any account on a social network has a limited capacity for information. It is unusual to write a dozen posts in one day and then expect increased attention for the thirteenth. On Facebook and Instagram, it is generally recommended to publish no more than two posts per day. On Twitter, it is best to write up to five tweets per day, depending on the optimal time for posting.
Furthermore, do not become discouraged if your content is not successful. Social networks operate according to their laws. You may write the most important post of the year and only receive five likes. Conversely, a silly photo of a cat could receive widespread attention. Consider the likelihood of success of your message. What will you do if no one reads it? Be prepared to choose another marketing strategy.