Has your social media content hit the skids? Does it feel dry, lifeless and completely devoid of any engaging wit or interesting banter? If so, you're not alone.
It's a common occurrence spawned by the massive amount of content we continue to pump out on a daily basis. Eventually our over-stimulated brains are bound to hit the proverbial "brick wall."
The good news? With a little work, a lot of analysis and a commitment to fixing what's broke, you can get back on track.
Believe me, I know this from personal experience.
I manage a Facebook page that has consistently performed well-above standard brand engagement levels. It has grown 300 percent over the last 16 months, a feat I am proud to say came from a page that only had a mere 6000 fans 24 months ago and a 2 percent engagement rate.
However, the tide has turned within the last two weeks with engagement slowly edging downward. Posts that would have been well received in the past were now hitting the page with a loud thud. A serious cause for concern for any social media manager strategically executing a well though-out and carefully designed plan.
So what's happened? While the jury is still out and I continue to analyze the data, I can say that it has brought about many ah-ha's and several enlightening moments.
One off which is the idea behind this post. Six ways you canspice up your social media content and re-engage a broken page!
Spice Up Your Social Media Content
1. Pay Attention to Your Analytics
I mean really pay attention. Your analytics have a story to tell and it is one you should hunker down and listen very close to. What you often find is not for the faint of heart so be prepared to uncover a few telling reasons your engagement, mentions or +1′s have dropped off the map.
In my opinion. analytics are the key to keeping anyone managing a social channel's eye on the prize. It can be easy to get carried away in the glitz and glory of a growing page that begins to take on a life and vibe of its own. But remember, you are the Captain. Make responsible decisions about the direction (and voice) behind the content you share.
2. Ask Thought-Provoking Questions
The type of questions you post or tweet should make your audience pause and think, laugh, cry or excitedly answer. Your want to emit some form of emotion and give them a moment to bond over.
Examples would be:
- When you stay in a hotel room, are you a tucked or un-tucked kind of person?
- Do you squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom or top of the tube?
- Would you rather spend a weekend in the mountains or lounging on the beac?
- What's your favorite way to spend a Saturday?
- End our debate! How do you eat an Oreo: twist and eat the creamy middle first or just eat it in one big bite?
Take interesting tidbits related to your business or product and turn them into questions your audience can relate to. Avoid at all costs posting anything general that your fans or followers could see all over the Internet. Make your content interesting, appealing and relatable.
3. Incorporate Images, Text and Video
People are more likely to be interested in your content if it is diverse, including unique and stimulating content. Use Infographics, photographs, charts and video as people are more likely to obtain the message in a visual format rather than plain ordinary text.
However, don't limit yourself. Play around with what type of content receives the best response. Just because an image performs best on Facebook, does not mean it will do as well on Google+.
4. Gather Feedback and Opinions
Want to know what your fans and followers are thinking? Ask them! Your audience will be happy to tell you and then far more likely to interact with you if you stop simply pushing out content and truly take the time to ask and listen to their needs.
Ask them questions that will provide insight into what type of content they are interested in, what they would like to see more or less of and how they like to consumer that information. Your fans are happy to share, all you have to do is take the time to get to know them.
5. Be Human and Accessible
Being formal is important to maintain your reputation, but do not be afraid to let your fans and followers see behind the curtain every once and while. Occasionally post personal information about what is happening over the weekend, events you are attending or the inside scoop behind the day-to-day of your business.
Sharing more than just business related content builds trust and provides a far more authentic persona for people to connect with. People want to do business with people and a part of what makes you up is all that happens after 5pm.
If you are uncomfortable with sharing the minute details of your life, that's ok. This does not have to be pictures of you and your family at the neighborhood barbecue. Just remember, sometimes keeping your content light and fun is just as impactful (if not more) then posting the informative pieces you post on a daily basis.
6. Never Stop Engaging
You can't expect people to interact with you if you aren't actively interacting with them. Never stop tweeting, retweeting, and replying with content that is relevant to your message.
Stay on top of those that share your content and thank those that do. Engaging with your audience will show that you are genuinely interested in them on a personal level and not just as consumers or potential buyers. It also shows that you are an expert in your field by regularly answering questions and giving valuable information related to your field.