Give instant flair to your Facebook posts
Every business knows that it has to do Facebook. But when time, staffing, and creative juices are tight, how do you make those posts count? Here are five quick ways to take them from mediocre to memorable.
1. Only post a photo that’s worth looking at
A picture really does speak a thousand words, especially online. What do yours say about your business? You don’t have to be a professional photographer, but it’s simply not enough to tap your finger on your phone screen and hope for the best, either. You may have a great new corner of your cafe to show off, but if you post a boring picture of empty tables and chairs in half-darkness it’s probably worse than posting no photo at all.
Close-up images of quirky details, people engaging with the camera, a nice mix of colours, spontaneous action behind-the-scenes – these are usually winners on social media. If nothing else, make sure your pics are well-lit and that you take an extra minute to crop out any dull bits – no one wants to see a rubbish bin, a different business’s signage, lots of empty space, or dirty plates in the frame.
2. Remember who’s reading
Your posts are an immediate way to connect with existing and potential customers, so think about what could be on their mind. Ask yourself what might have led them to be looking at your page and offer them something relevant. For example, if it’s mid-week, they might be feeling sluggish and could do with a reminder to treat themselves – whether that’s with your product, service or something your venue is offering. Perhaps a local news event has just taken place which is a good lead-in to your product. The point is, make your post as relevant as possible to your reader.
3. Put your readers centre-stage, not yourself
There’s a tricky balance between letting people know what’s going on at your business, and blowing your own horn too much. Keep in mind that (as harsh as it sounds) customers essentially care about themselves – not you. Hold their attention by putting them at the centre of your posts as much as you can, rather than your business. For example, rather than writing: “We had a sell-out night last night for our live music show. Band X played a great show”, try “You guys made it such an amazing night last night! Thank you to everyone who came and added to the great vibes.” This example (left) by biscuit manufacturer Oreo, illustrates this perfectly. And just look at the response.
4. Tell a story
People remember stories. Your Facebook followers probably already know about the product or service you’re offering. But they’ll be more likely to remember your posts about it if you tell them some sort of story. For example, if you’re a dog trainer, a story about how your training transformed the behaviour of a dog and its relationship to its owners. Or, if you’re a cafe, perhaps one of your bread or produce suppliers is a local business which has been in the area for 20 years and is run by three brothers who make the deliveries every Tuesday blasting Guns N Roses from their truck. Tell that story, include a picture, and that makes a neat memorable post (not to mention an appreciated boost for a fellow community business).
And finally...
5. Be regular
Building rapport with customers on social media is, for better or for worse, a little bit like real-life friendships. They only grow and are worth having if you’re in touch regularly. Start to see your Facebook page as a shop floor – people want to be where the action is. So posting once a week or less, for a busy business, is the internet equivalent of having tumbleweeds blowing around in your foyer or showroom. The good news is, Facebook users tend to be very forgiving, so even if you’ve been quiet online for a while, rebuilding momentum is quick. If you’re too busy or simply don’t have the staff to post regularly you can create posts once a week in Facebook’s scheduling function and set it to publish for you automatically.
Want to find out more about managing your social media and effective content writing?
Contact us on
02 6652 6652 or email
sales@axisiq.com.au
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About Axis IQ
Located in Coffs Harbour and servicing clients from Sydney to the Gold Coast and out west to Inverell and Gunnedah, Axis IQ is made up of a small team of highly experienced pros from a broad range of industries including print and design, marketing agency, mailhouse, digital media, private enterprise and the Registered Club Industry. Read more...
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