If you find yourself stuck for inspiration on what to write for your next social media post, then I wrote this for you!
Knowing what to write and stay consistent with posting can be a real challenge. It's one of the main struggles I help my clients with.
The first time I faced that challenge was over ten years ago when I was working as a journalist for a national newspaper here in Ireland.
Every week I would get new assignments that had a deadline. Sometimes all I would get was a subject title and be told to come up with something.
It was really stressful...until I developed my own content creation strategy. I teach this strategy to my clients inside of my 12 week program (more on that here).
If you don't yet have a full on content strategy, then here are three post ideas you can use this week to engage your followers on social media.
The Personal Post
Whatever business you are in, be it service or product based, people want to know you.
The Personal Post allows you to introduce yourself to new and potential followers and reintroduce important details about yourself to existing followers.
There are a few ways you can approach the personal post.
It can be;
- your personal story
- a personal detail about you
- a story about how you overcame an obstacle
- personal lifestyle details
The one thing all personal posts must have in common is that they tell the personal details in a way that resonates with your ideal client/buyer.
Think of it like a movie. Movies are generally some form of personal story, yet they are told in such a way that we, the viewers, can identify with them. We can see ourselves in and identify with the hero of the story.
The main character is always flawed and very human. They have relationships and struggles that we can relate to.
When you write your personal post ask yourself; what part of this story relates to the journey my ideal client is on?
Focus on that. Tell your story but tell it as if your ideal client is standing in front of you and you are trying to engage them in a deep conversation.
So instead of; I quit my job in 2016 and started an online business. I've been doing that ever since. I've come a long way and I am really happy with my success now.
You say; I had wanted to quit my job for years, but I was afraid that I was too old to start something new. I worried that the online business world was only for millennials and I would get laughed off of social media.
It wasn't easy but I designed a plan and I jumped. And it paid off, four years later and now I am fully online, location independent and I just wish I'd taken the leap and trusted in myself sooner!
Do you see the difference?
Give it a try now. Just imagine you are speaking the words to your ideal client, choose the words you know will keep them engaged in what you are saying, just like you would in a face to face conversation.
The Opinion Post
Social media is a crowded place. So you need to find ways to stand out.
Aligning yourself with a particular point of view is a great way to stand out, attract in the right people, repel the wrong people and position yourself as the expert. Not bad for one post, right?
Think of something you personally believe to be true or false that is a common subject of discussion in your industry. You don't need to be argumentative but just be clear (and respectful) about your view on the matter.
For example, in my industry there is an opinion that organic marketing doesn't work anymore. I disagree. So I will take my stand by posting about how I am succeeding and seeing my clients succeed through organic marketing.
Think about industry norms that you agree/disagree with. Are there topics trending at the moment in relation to your industry that you have an opinion on? Write that opinion post!
The Pain Point Post
This is a post that should feature weekly on your social media.
A pain point post is where you focus on a problem that you know your ideal client has and you give them a solution in your post.
This can be anything from a day to day struggle, or a direct problem, you just need to make sure it is related to the product and service your offer.
Some people are reluctant to solve problems in their free content as they worry will it stop people from buying from them or working with them.
The short answer is no, it won't.
Here's why.
Your free content is different from your paid content.
Free content is the what and the why. Paid content is the 'how to' and the exact steps and process.
For example, I can tell you what the strategy is to succeed on social media, but showing you how and walking through the steps with you and how they are related to your business, is an entirely different thing.
Don't hold back on your free content. It is what will set you apart from the competition and it will help you build real relationships with potential clients who trust you and like your methods.
Make a list now of 10 problems you know you can solve for your ideal client and start to create a pain point post today.
To Recap (screenshot this to reming yourself! Tag me on Instagram Stories here)
The Personal Post - engage your audience with a personal story that they can relate to
The Opinion Post - stand out in the crowd by voicing your opinion and taking a stand
The Pain Point Post - don't hold back, solve your ideal clients problems in your content
Exciting news!
I'm taking on a small number of clients to work with me, one to one for 12 weeks.
If you need help growing your business online using social media this is for you:
Apply for my 16 week program today.
Interested in working together?