Creating Great Social Media Content

DERBHILE GRAHAM

WRITEWORDS EDITORIAL

What Is A Blog?

Short for Web Log – Began as Online Diary

Now Online Article

Expresses Opinions – Gives Information

Equivalent of Newspaper Feature Article

What Is A Social Media Post?

Brief Update For A Social Media Network

Provides Information, Seeks Opinions

Promotes Events, Products and Services

Call to Action: Read Article, Visit Website, View Pictures

Theresa the Cheesemaker

The Five Ws of Great Content

Why? What? Who? Where? When?

The First W: Why?

Define The Reason You Want To Blog

Share Your Passion Talk To Your Customers Build Your Reputation Free Publicity Be More Visible Online

Not Just A Feel-Good Strategy

40% of US Companies Have Blogs

55% More Hits to Website

75% Increase in Businesses Regarding Facebook As Important

Info from HubSpot

… And Why You Shouldn’t

Because Someone Told You To

Fear of Missing Out

Other Businesses Are Doing It

Desire+ Passion=Motivation to Succeed

The Second W: What?

What to Write About

Diary-Style Blog – Daily Happenings – Shows Person Behind Brand

Advice Blog – Tips and Information – Demonstrate Expertise

News Blog – Updates on Latest Developments – Share Excitement

Picture Blog – Pictures Enhanced by Words – Increases Visibility

What: Social Media Posts

Similar Categories: News, Pictures, Advice

Point Followers to Articles, Web Pages, Blog Posts

Words to Complement Picture

Humour: Quotes, Cartoons, Pictures. Show Personality

The Third W: Who

Who Are Your Customers?

Who Do You Want To Reach?

Define Customer Name, Age, Family Status, Occupation

Create Tailored Content for Customer Groups

The Fourth W: Where

Where Are Your Customers?

Figure Out What Social Media Platforms They Use Draw on Knowledge of Customers Age 35-44 – Fast-Growing Group on Facebook LinkedIn – B2B Customers Twitter: Tech Customers, Facebook and Twitter – Good for Picture-Driven Businesses

The Fifth W: When

Frequency of Posting: For blogs: once a week, once a fortnight, once a month For social media posts: once a day, multiple posts each day

Days to Post: Weekdays or Weekends

Set Time Aside, Post Consistently

Where to Blog

Three Main Blogging Platforms

Blogger, www.blogger.com Easy to Use

WordPress, www.wordpress.com, Professional Look

Tumblr, www.tumblr.com, Good for Pictures and Videos

What A Blog Looks Like

Resembles Newspaper Article

Short Paragraphs

Broken Up With Headings and Bullet Points

Length of Blog

Advantages of Long Blog (300+ Words) More Content for Search Engines Lets You Give More Information

Advantages of Short Blogs (up to 300 words) Easier to Read on Screen Holds Attention Easier to Write

Eye-Catching Blog Titles

No Need for Clever Titles – Keep It Simple

How-to Titles – Tell People What They’ll Learn

Number Titles – Five Health Benefits of Cheese

News Headline – Nominated for Cheese Award

Make People Read On

Structure of Blog

Decide On Message – What You Want to Say

Format of Blog – Article Style, Bullet Points, Pic With Caption

Tone of Blog – Use of Language to Create Mood Formal vs Informal

Clear, Simple Language – Short Sentences

Starting Your Blog Post

Humorous Anecdote – Sets Scene

Question – Taps Into Needs, Promise to Deliver Answer

Unusual Statistics: Show Expertise

Give Flavour of What to Expect

Middle of Blog

Contains Most of the Information

Present Arguments With Statistics

Outline Bullet Points

End of Blog

Call to Action Visit Website, Avail of Offer, Call Now

Questions to Encourage Interaction What Do You Serve With Cheese?

Adding Pictures

Advantages of Pictures Enhances Words Increases Visibility of Post

Need Permission to Use Pictures

Acknowledge Source of Picture: Website, Photographer

Take Own Pictures – Ensure Pic In Focus

Stock Photo Sources

Websites Offering Free Stock Photos – No Need to Acknowledge Source

Pixabay, www.pixabay.com

Unsplash, www.unsplash.com

StockSnap, www.stocksnap.com

Info: Marie Ennis O’Connor

Blacknight Address: http://blacknight.blog/

Good Template for Service and B2B Business

Short But Substantial – Packed With Information

Mix of Information and Promotion

Calls to Action Throughout Post

Service Blog: Blacknight Solutions

Example of Lifestyle Blog: Chupi

Caption used in blog for this picture: The Believe in Magic Collection Will Be Available Shortly

Chupi Address: https://www.chupi.com/blogs/inspire-blog

Good Template for Lifestyle Business Blog

Words Enhance Pictures

Builds Relationship With Customers

Tells Story Behind Brand – What Inspires Jewellery

Great Social Media Posts: Market Lane

Great Social Media Posts: nearForm

Blogging Resources

TweakYourBiz – Business Blogging, www.tweakyourbiz.com HubSpot – Tips to Improve Blogging, www.hubspot.com Irish Bloggers Group, Facebook. Go on Facebook, Type Irish

Bloggers in Search Box. Lifestyle/Fashion Blogs LinkedIn – B2B Blogging, Tips to Improve, www.linkedin.com Irish Blog Awards, Be Inspired by Previous Winners,

www.blogawardsireland.ie

You’re the Expert

Why You’re The Best Person For The Job

Knowledge and Passion for Your Business

Chance to Build Relationships with Current Customers

Chance to Attract New Customers

Contact Me

Thank You All For Coming

Derbhile Graham

Blog: www.writerlyderv.wordpress.comTwitter: www.twitter.com/writerlydervFacebook: www.facebook.com/www.writewords.ieLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Type Derbhile Graham in Search BoxOld School: 087 6959799/051 382650