Supplying a good service or product to your clients is important – but these days, it’s not enough. You must stay top of mind with clients by engaging them socially as well. To help, here are six tips to posting content.
Posts that strike a chord will encourage interaction with followers on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest and will help you grow your business by establishing a core following and help with word of mouth – leading to sales.
1. Photos rule the social world.
Photos are an easy way for readers to absorb information, so they perform well in social spheres. On Facebook in particular, they are more likely to appear in your followers’ center feed than any other type of post. Naturally, on Pinterest, photos are required for participation.
Photos can be of your store, items for sale and even your employees having fun. Don’t forget to share and pin interesting photos from related small businesses and sites you follow to build goodwill and prevent you from sounding like you’re always selling something.
Of note: Photos of animals tend to perform exceptionally well socially – so get creative! Are you a cobbler? Then post a photo of a dog chewing a shoe!
2. Ask questions. (Get answers.)
Questions can take different forms. They can simply start a conversation. Something as basic as “Who’s ready for spring?” can be a surprisingly effective conversation starter – especially if everyone just had a miserable winter.
You can also ask questions that can help your business. Debating whether to bring back the pretzel toffee chocolate chip cookie or the lemon icebox tartlets to your bakery? Ask your followers for their preference. They’re more likely to make a purchase if they feel they participated in the selection.
Or engage your audience with trivia about your business – whether it’s strange facts about your trade or specific questions about your operation – for example, a plumber could ask, “When was the flushing toilet invented?” Or a chocolatier could ask, “How many pieces of fudge did I make today?”
Another easy approach: Post a photo of something related to your business and simply ask, “What do you think of this [fill in the blank]?” It could be a hairstyle, a flowerbed, a car – the more unusual, the better. On Twitter, post the question, and link to the photo on Facebook or Pinterest.
3. Piggyback on holidays.
Definitely focus on any holidays that are historically good for your business. If you run a retail store, consider posting a gift idea a day during the month of December.
And don’t forget those holidays that are less a focus for your business. On St. Patrick’s Day, a restaurant could post a photo of a corned beef sandwich or a pint of Guinness, even if they aren’t Irish themed restaurant, and could end up with more business than they would have otherwise.
Stay alert to quirky holidays as well. If you serve doughnuts, post on National Doughnut Day (June 7) – and maybe even offer free doughnut holes with purchase for an hour or two.
4. Remember: You’re more interesting than you think.
You may be surprised how much followers enjoy getting a glimpse of the behind the scenes of your office. It softens your business persona and makes you more relatable. If you and your employees volunteer together or have an annual potluck, then post a photo showing this. It will give followers a warm feeling toward you, which is always good for business.
5. Remember: You’re also less interesting than you think.
Don’t dive too deep into your personal life. Showing the behind the scenes of your office or the occasional cute pet pic can give your Facebook page some personality, but delving into your recent doctor’s visit falls into the “too much information” category. If in doubt, don’t post it.
6. Announce sales!
Your followers want to know about deals and sales maybe more than anything else, so tell them. Be sure to include any time limits, and remember, on photo-centric platforms, post photos of what’s for sale.
These tips should get you off and socializing on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. But whatever you post, just be yourself. Social platforms should show your human side, not your marketing savvy. If done right, friendly conversation will convert into sales.
