As a business owner, you probably know that social media is a very powerful marketing tool. Nowadays, it’s the best way to reach the younger generations. But it’s also a chance for you to get more personal with your customers, show them behind the scenes, and explain more in-depth about your business. That’s why it’s important that your posts are not only seen, but also read. And how do you ensure that? By writing good copy!
Before we get into the actual tips, let’s dig into some basic technical considerations. After all, you need to understand the mechanics of social media before you can master them. Not every platform works the same, but they do share similarities.
Know your character limits
Each platform has its own word limit that you need to take into consideration. For example, a post on Twitter has a maximum of 280 characters, whereas you can write a whopping 63,206 characters on Facebook. That’s not to say you should use them all. People have limited time and attention spans. When faced with a wall of text, they quickly lose interest. That’s why your posts should be clear and concise if you want people to read and engage with them.
To hashtag, or not to hashtag
That is the question! Almost every platform uses a hashtag system, but they all have different best practices. Research where you want to be seen and where your audience is. Then, research how best to utilize hashtags on those specific platforms. The internet is your friend!
1. Define your voice and tone
First things first: how do you want to come across? You could be professional or excited, relatable or funny. Consider what best suits the image of your business. Just remember that you can’t read emotions in short copy, so it’s important to understand the voice and tone you want to portray. If possible, write down concrete guidelines, such as: ‘no abbreviations’ or ‘focus on formal language’. This will create a consistent experience for your audience on social media.
2. PAS (Problem, Agitate, Solve)
Let’s focus on what you’re going to write. You want to show your audience that your service or product adds value to their lives. So, how are you going to do that? By focusing on being the solution to their problems. Your audience probably has no shortage of them, so use that to your advantage. State a problem. Agitate that problem without sounding too negative. You don’t want to be a downer. Then, ride in with the solution, and the crowd goes (metaphorically, at least) wild.
An example: We’ve all been there. Surrounded by wooden planks, screws, and a manual that doesn’t make sense. And you’re only on page 4 of 28. Your partner in crime is already annoyed and you have so much left to build. How will you get through this without ruining your relationship and sanity? By using our BuildItNow app:
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This article was written by Sam Alderson and originally published on SEO blog • Yoast.