Content writing for social media: what you need to know?

Here are some tips for writing social media posts that will get your audience’s attention and inspire engagement:

Speak their language

It’s good to research and learn what language your audience uses to communicate their needs or challenges. For example, a post on LinkedIn for senior-level executives will read very differently from a post you write on Facebook for new mothers. These two groups of people have different challenges and points of view, but their language differs significantly also. It would be best if you used the correct language when writing your posts to ensure your content resonates with your target audience as it will help to show them that you genuinely understand them and their challenges.

Develop your voice

Writing social media posts in the language of your target audience is essential, but the overall message should be written in your own voice. Your voice (or your brand voice) shows your personality and emotion infused into all your marketing activities and social interactions online. The voice is what you create with the language and tone you use when writing your content or interacting with your audience. Your company’s personality makes up your voice; this voice needs to be consistent throughout the content you create, as well as any engagement on social networks. Consistency will help your audience connect with you emotionally, as well as build trust and identify your social media posts as yours.

Be positive

There’s a vast difference between positive and happy, you want your audience to be excited, and inspired by your posts, and that doesn’t always mean happy posts. You may choose to share your opinion or take a stand on something important to you and your brand, but there’s a difference between making a stand and attacking or criticizing others.

Try to avoid criticizing anyone (or any business) publicly, criticizing others is not only unprofessional but also dangerous. It hurt any trust or credibility you’ve built with your existing followers.

Keep it short and simple

People value their time, so if you want your audience to give you their attention, you need to show that you value their time also. You should make sure that your content and posts are easy to read by writing to their needs. Using headings, bullets and lists where possible can make your content or posts easier to scan or lightly read. Try to keep your paragraphs to only two or three sentences; this will allow the reader to grasp the subject quickly and efficiently.

Use images and videos

Images, graphics and videos help you to tell a story wherever possible. Visual content is more engaging and tells the story quicker and more succinctly than words alone. An image or video can often stand alone in social media posts while still conveying the full message to your audience. Video, in particular, can better enable you to connect with your audience on a deeper level as people respond better to video than just text.

Make grammar your priority

Excellent grammar is a priority whatever you’re writing online; this also includes your social media posts. Social media may be less formal media than your other marketing methods, but your grammar really does have to be impeccable. It comes down to professionalism by taking the time to ensure that you’re using proper grammar shows that you care about the reader’s experience. If you take care of your grammar, it becomes easier for readers to understand and appreciate what you’re writing about.

The competition for your audience’s time and attention can be fierce. The secret to being successful with writing social media posts is not to compete but set yourself apart from the crowd.

Providing valuable and exciting content is one half of the equation; the other half is all about how you write and present that content.