Blog posts, social media posts, ad copy… Writing has the power to help you attract your target audience to your brand, position yourself as an authority in your field, and generate sales.
That’s why it’s so important that you’re taking the time to write captivating copy that will leave every reader wanting more from you.
But how can you do that? In this #ContentWritingChat, we’re sharing copywriting tips that any content creator can implement today to improve the ROI of their copy.
#ContentWritingChat Recap: Copywriting Tips to Attract Your Target Audience
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) August 3, 2021
This month, we held a community chat and opened the floor up to all of you who are part of our amazing #ContentWritingChat community. Everyone shared helpful tips that will have you creating incredible copy in no time at all. So, let’s dive into the recap!
Q1: Writing copy starts with knowing your audience. How can you gain a better understanding of who you’re trying to connect with through your copy?
Getting to know your audience begins with a little research so you can learn what they’re all about. To get started, follow these tips:
A1. By creating a buyer persona of your content. That may give you a rough idea of who the audience of your content is. #ContentWritingChat
As Daniel said, the best place to start is by creating a buyer persona. This will help you get clarity on exactly who you’re speaking to with the content you create. You’ll want to determine their interests and pain points, demographics, and more to create a picture of your ideal reader/buyer. Keep this person in mind as you write!
To start researching your audience, you can do a little social listening and also engage with people on the platforms you’re actively using. You can even check out Quora, Reddit, or BuzzSumo to get the creative juices flowing.
A1: If you need help getting to know your audience better, send out a survey or hop on market research calls. There's nothing better than getting feedback directly from the source. #ContentWritingChat
Another option is to create a survey that you send out your email list, for example. Or if you prefer something more personal, hop on market research calls with a few people. This way, you’re able to ask the questions you want answers to. And you’ll get feedback straight from the source that you can use to create content.
A1. Through consistent engagement on your site or social media platforms. This will take time and effort, but it will pay off in the long run. #ContentWritingChat
Also, the more you show up and engage with your audience, the better you’ll get to know them. While this isn’t an overnight solution, it’s going to be beneficial for your brand in the long run. Not only will it help you create better copy, but you’ll develop stronger relationships with your audience.
Q2: It’s also important to consider your brand’s tone of voice. How can you determine what kind of voice you’d like your brand to have?
After all, the voice that comes through in the content you create will play a role in whether or not someone is drawn to your brand. Here’s some advice to keep in mind:
A2. It's best to look at yourself + your audience persona to determine the best brand voice that'll suit you.
The plan? Stay true to yourself but also appeal to your audience so your tone of voice feels like a vehicle that effectively connects you with them. #ContentWritingChat
The best advice for cultivating your brand’s voice is to be true to yourself, but also create copy that will appeal to your target audience. Consider what kind of voice would resonate with them the most without straying from who you authentically are.
A2: Everyone loves humor and play on words – be intelligent and witty, but understand who are you writing for? If it’s a client, ask them how they want to be portrayed, if it’s for yourself, BE YOU. It’ll come across as more genuine & that’s what people want. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/GbuT3iARO6pic.twitter.com/eIHpgIiKO7
At the end of the day, it’s crucial that you know who you’re writing for because you need to create content with them in mind. However, don’t get caught up in being something you’re not. Create for your target audience while still be true to your unique personality.
Q3: Using keywords within your copy is great for helping your content rank in Google, but how can you do so in a way that’s natural and not forced?
No keyword stuffing over here! These tips will improve your SEO without it being awkward for the person who is reading your content.
A3. Figure them out before you start writing — personally I find it best when they're related to a long-tail question real people are asking, that way you are both answering a question and using keywords as part of the outline/ideation process. #ContentWritingChat
Figuring out your target keywords before you start writing is key. This will help you work them into your content in a more natural way. If you were to choose your keywords after writing the content, you’d have to go back and make edits to fit them in. And odds are, the quality of your work will suffer if you did that.
A3. Don't obsess with the primary keyword. To keep things natural, find out relevant long-tail keywords and synonyms to weave in keywords naturally in your copy. #ContentWritingChat
Using relevant long-tail keywords and synonyms to your chosen keyword can also help. This way, you won’t be repeating the same keyword over and over and you may even rank for the similar keywords you’ve targeted.
Don’t forget to include your target keyword in specific places throughout your blog post. It helps to have the keyword in the title, headings, throughout the copy, and in the meta description.
A3. Prioritize the ones you want to use before you start writing. After you’ve finished the post, read it aloud to see how the words flow (you’ll get a better sense than if you read it silently). #ContentWritingChat
Once you’ve finished writing your content, it always helps to read it aloud. It’ll help you see if everything flows and could make it easier to spot mistakes or places where improvements can be made.
A3. Along with usage of keywords, the relevance of content matters too. What you are trying to convey should not be lost in the process of SEO ranking. Quality of keywords matters, not quantity! Use them in headers, sub-headers effectively for better results #ContentWritingChat
And remember that relevant content with a quality keyword is crucial to your success if you want your content to rank. Don’t get so obsessed with SEO that your content gets downgraded in terms of quality.
Q4: How will you know if your copy is actually resonating with the right audience? Are there any metrics to look for?
The right metrics will indicate how well your content is performing and whether or not you’re on the right path. This advice will help when gathering data so you know what to pay attention to.
A4: Monitor whether or not traffic is being directed to your content. Then, once there, how long are they staying? Are they taking action afterwards, like joining your list, leaving a comment, or purchasing something? #ContentWritingChat
First, you want to see if traffic is actually landing on your content. Once they’ve gotten to your site, see how long they stay there (or if they click off shortly afterwards) and whether or not they’re taking any kind of action. Do they leave a comment, make a purchase, etc.?
A4. Time on page/dwell time is an important metric IMO. If your content is resonating with your audience, they'll stay to read it.
I also look at how well people engage with it. Are they sharing it on social? Are they dropping by to comment/ask more Qs? #ContentWritingChat
Tracking how long people spend on a certain page can be an indicator that they’re actually reading what you’ve written. You’ll also want to see if people are engaging with your content in some way, like leaving a comment.
A4. Leads, queries, anything that results in direct contact between the reader and the client, or shows the reader spent intentional time engaging (shares, comments).
Lacking that (because sometimes it's hard), Page visits, time on page, and bounce rate #ContentWritingChat
Leads and queries are sure-fire signs that your content is performing well. You may also want to see which content pieces are being shared most on social media, how long they stay on your web page, and bounce rate.
A4: Shares, comments and direct messages. I've received a message for a LinkedIn connection where the person mentioned cloud computing. That's my target audience. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/vEDcqbjiYn
Shares, comments, and direct messages are common performance indicators that creators like to track. It doesn’t get much better than when someone messages you after checking out your content.
A4:
The metric that you should look for is 'People's response'
It is one of the best ways to measure if your copy is useful and is making an impact.
Second is through your traffic, shares and all that.
What are people saying about your content? Their feedback makes all the difference in the world since you want to make sure you’re appealing to those who are in your target audience.
A4. You’re probably doing the right things if people read, share, and subscribe, but this has to be consistent. That’s why engagement with your audience is key. #ContentWritingChat
— Julia McCoy | Content Marketing ? | Author (@JuliaEMcCoy) August 3, 2021
If your content isn’t performing as well as you’d hoped, it could be due to a lack of quality or a lack of strategy. You never want the quality of your content to suffer, otherwise people won’t bother to read it. And having a strategy in place ensures that you’re serving your audience while also reaching the goals you’ve put in place for your brand.
A5. Talk to your target audience. Ask them what sort of content do they prefer to consume: do they prefer podcasts over blog posts?
Also, learn their pain points from them. This way, you can create content on engagement-guaranteed topics relevant to them. #ContentWritingChat
It never hurts to just ask your audience what they’d like to see from you. Sometimes their direct feedback is exactly what you need to overhaul your content strategy. When you create with them in mind, you’re going to see your ROI skyrocket.
A5: I would ask for others inside and outside of my industry to read it and get feedback. That way you'll get an objective opinion. Oftentimes as creators, we are too close and invested in our copy. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/r59lCavTX9
If you have friends in your industry, ask them for feedback as well. Sometimes you just need someone on the outside to take a look and offer their honest thoughts. Just remember not to take it personally if they offer some tough criticism. Use it as an opportunity to grow and get better.
A5. Ask for feedback and modify your medium and type of content. Experiment with something new, and see how that works. Sometimes it also is because you are not talking to the right audience or your audience has evolved. So adapt to them #ContentWritingChat
Be willing to modify your current strategy and content. Don’t be afraid to try something new and see how it does. When it comes to content creation, there will always be some trial and error to figure out what’s right for you.
Q6: Have you ever considered using any AI writing tools to assist in writing new copy? What are their pros and cons?
Having tested a few AI tools here at Express Writers, we had to know what everyone else thought about them. Here are a few opinions from the chat:
A6
Most #AI writing tools should come with a warning label.
The SEO Charge team has tried AI tools and found them to be helpful with ad copy. But when it comes to blog posts, they stick to human writers.
A6. I've experimented with them a couple of times. They seem to be good when the goal of writing is a recitation of facts or simple ideas — anything more complex, it ends up being more work than writing it myself — the algorithms/ML is still pretty dumb #ContentWritingChat
In Andrew’s experience, AI tools worked well when the content was focused on facts or simple ideas. With more complex topics, it was easier to just write the content himself.
A6 no not really as the emotional tone is so nuanced I am doubtful that this can be replicated with A I personally-I might be wrong too #Contentwritingchat
Carrie isn’t feeling the AI tools, as she feels they simply can’t replicate the emotion she wants her content to convey.
A6: Honestly no all of my content is human writing; but, I am a techie so I just may try out some AI writing tools just to see. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/0uVG4DlVM5
Carla is curious to check them out and see how they work for her. They’re always worth a try if you’re looking for something to help in the content creation process.
Q7: How can a business put out great copy if their time is limited? Or if writing isn’t their strong suit?
And no, that doesn’t mean they need to abandon the idea of ever writing content again. This is what they need to do instead:
A7
I always say… Founders shouldn't write. ?
Heck, I pay my own writers at @ExpWriters to write for me.
— Julia McCoy | Content Marketing ? | Author (@JuliaEMcCoy) August 3, 2021
As a business owner, there’s no harm in you outsourcing your content. You can pay someone on your team to create content on your behalf or find an agency to handle it for you. This way, you’ve freed up your time to focus on doing the work that will propel the business forward.
A7. Have a great brief. Have a generous budget. Find a senior copywriter in their niche. Then let them do their work with minimal fuss/nitpicking. Simple, but the number of times clients will shoot themselves in the foot on this one… #ContentWritingChat
The right copywriting will make your life so much easier when it comes to content creation.
A7: Reprioritise your day! There’s always more time than you might think. If you really are strapped for time, give the opportunity to an intern fresh out of uni or online! There will always be people willing to help for experience ? #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/qF9JA6VSJ9pic.twitter.com/R87Xir377F
And if it helps, figure out what’s really a priority in your day. If you want to create content yourself without outsourcing, make content creation your number one task and schedule time for it in your calendar.
Q8: Are there any sources that you turn to or tools you use to help improve your copywriting skills?
Using the right tools and learning copywriting tips from amazing creators will make a huge difference as you create your next piece of content. Here are some resources to check out:
A8 I find the best methods are speaking to people who you are looking to connect with in your connect and reading their comments across social media too really helps with the nuances #Contentwritingchat
Our own Julia McCoy and the team at Content Marketing Institute are always inspirational!
Interested in joining the next #ContentWritingChat? Mark your calendar for the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central. Follow @ExpWriters and @writingchat for all the latest.
For today's chat, our guest host is @HashtagHeyAlexa. ? She's joining us to share some tips on making your content more accessible across social media.
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) July 6, 2021
Our guest host for this week’s chat was Alexa Heinrich, who is a digital accessibility advocate. Digital accessibility has become an even more prevalent topic in recent times, as many brands are striving to make their content more inclusive by being accessible to everyone in their online community. As content creators here at Express Writers, we felt it was a crucial conversation to have during #ContentWritingChat and Alexa shared some amazing wisdom with us.
Let’s dive into the recap to learn where we can all make accessibility improvements.
Q1: What do you mean by digital accessibility?
First and foremost, it’s important to understand what exactly digital accessibility means so we can see why it’s such an important thing for our brands. Here are some great answers:
A1: Digital accessibility means making sure that you’re creating and delivering content that everyone can access, understand, and enjoy no matter the status of their physical or cognitive ability. This includes users with hearing and/or vision disabilities. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
Alexa is spot-on with her answer. Digital accessibility is about making sure your content can be accessed, understood, and enjoyed by anyone. It should never be inaccessible to someone based on their physical or cognitive abilities.
A1: Accessibility in digital isn't just access to the internet. It's also the kind of content you produce. Can the hard of hearing enjoy your video bc you used close captions? Is your font size large enough to accommodate differing vision? Accessible = All In. #ContentWritingChat
Asking yourself the questions that Rachel shared in her answer is a good place to get started. Do your videos have captions so they can be watched by those with a hearing impairment? Is it actually easy to read the font you’re using on your website or graphics you share on social media? These are things that, unfortunately, many of us overlook.
A1: Digital accessibility means making all digital content accessible to everyone. The process is meant to remove barriers that may be caused by disability, age, situational in terms of people accessing websites, social media etc. #ContentWritingChat
— Sarah Clarke – Media Strategist (she/her) (@sclarkeOville) July 6, 2021
Essentially, you want to take steps to remove any barriers that someone may encounter when trying to consume your content. Put yourself in another person’s shoes and ask if they’d be able to enjoy what you’ve shared.
Q2: Why is it important for your digital content to be accessible?
By now, the answer to this question may be pretty obvious. However, here are some good reasons why accessibility needs to be at the top of your priority list:
A2: Inclusion should always be a top priority when you create content. A huge portion of the global population has a serious sensory impairment. Accessibility helps ensure that you’re not excluding anyone from the conversation because of their disability. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
As Alexa pointed out, there are a lot of people with sensory impairments. As a result, they may not be able to consume your content if you haven’t implemented certain measures to make it easy for them to do so.
A2 continued: Digital marketers should also keep in mind that not every disability is visible or permanent. Many people also don’t disclose their disability, so you shouldn’t assume that digital accessibility doesn’t apply to your content or your audience. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
Alexa went on to point out that not all disabilities are visible to the general public, nor are they all permanent. For many people, they don’t discuss their disabilities, which means you may not even be aware of them. Plus, you never know when a loyal member of your community may experience something that leaves them temporarily disabled. By creating accessible content, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that they’ll still be able to consume what you share online.
A2: The more people who can enjoy & appreciate your content bc you've made it easy to do so, the more brand advocates and sales you'll have.
People shout from the rooftops when they see something good. If your brand commits and shows up, you'll see benefits. #ContentWritingChat
At the end of the day, creating accessible content can help you expand your reach to a much wider audience since you aren’t excluding anyone. This can lead to more brand advocates and an increase in sales for your business.
A2: Because your customers come from all walks of life and should be treated fairly. Making it easier to access your digital content, makes it easier to make the sale. #Contentwritingchathttps://t.co/F0FHvXrTi1
Carla felt the same way. You have more opportunities to generate sales and it’s also easier to get people to take that next step when you’ve created more inclusive content. And like she said, everyone deserves to be treated fairly, so you don’t want to ignore those who are differently abled than you.
A2 for me it’s important because you want to communicate as well as you can and without your content being inclusive then you are limiting your impact and your audience #ContentWritingChat
Carrie knows that without implementing digital accessibility practices, you’re ultimately limiting your reach and your impact online. That’s something no brand wants!
A2. A, because you don't want to marginalize an entire group of people who would be interested in your products and can't access the information. B, to maximize reach through different mediums and audiences. #ContentWritingChat
When you take the time to make your content accessible in multiple ways, you’re going to reach an even bigger audience than you thought possible.
Q3: What are some ways to create accessible content on social media?
To ensure your social media content is accessible to the masses, keep these tips in mind:
A3: There are lots of basic ways to create accessible content! Put compound hashtags in #CamelCase. Use emojis in moderation and put them at the end of posts and tweets. Caption videos. Add alt text to images. Avoid using alternative characters or ASCII art. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
For starters, Alexa suggests changing the way you type your hashtags. Many of us are guilty of writing our hashtags in all lowercase, when they should be in Camel Case. That’s when you would capitalize the first letter of every new word in the hashtag. It makes it easier for screen readers to decipher. For example, #ContentWritingChat is written in Camel Case.
Alexa also said to be mindful about emoji placement. They’re better at the end of your post. Captions should always be added on videos. And don’t forget to include alt text as well.
A3. – Apply #AltText to images and gifs – Caption videos – Use legible font styles and sizes – Lastly make sure your form of content works seamlessly on different devices (PC, mobile, Ipads)#ContentWritingChat
Manisha also mentioned adding alt text to images shared on social media, while also captioning videos, and using legible fonts. Another important point that she brought up is checking to make sure your content is easily accessible on a variety of devices, from desktop to mobile to tablet.
A3: To create accessible content, try:
1. Upping the contrast between your text & background.
2. Adding a zoom in/zoom out for images.
3. Eliminating stylized fonts that can’t be read by Google or screen readers.
How many times have you seen a graphic on social media that was difficult to read because of the contrast between the text and the background? Unfortunately, it happens. Those who already have difficulty seeing will have even more trouble making out what your graphics say if you aren’t careful. Be mindful of this when designing.
Rachel also said to allow people to zoom into images, use legible fonts, and consider increasing the size of your text.
A3: Create content in more than one form. I use both text and video on my blog posts. I also add closed captioning on all of my standalone and livestream videos. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/h7rUPUW0FH
Carla suggests taking one piece of content and turning it into multiple formats. For instance, she incorporates both text and video into her blog posts. And she also makes sure to add captions to all of her standalone and livestream videos, meaning they can be enjoyed with or without sound.
Q4: Can you elaborate on writing alt text? What makes for good alt text?
If you know anything about SEO, then you’ve probably heard about alt text. While it can be helpful when trying to rank your content in search engines, it’s more beneficial for those with vision impairments. Here’s what you need to know when writing it:
A4: Writing alt text is a completely subjective exercise, but you really just want to focus on describing the key physical details in your images, especially if they’re pertinent details or complement the written part of your post or tweet. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
As Alexa shared, the whole point of alt text is to write a description of the image. This way, someone who isn’t able to actually see it (or if it doesn’t load for some reason), the person consuming your content will know what it’s an image of.
A4 continued: If your image features flattened copy, it’s important that you include that copy in your alt text too, otherwise a screen reader won’t be able to read it. That’s one of the many reasons event flyers and similar graphics don’t belong on social! #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
A4 continued: And even if you have a graphic that repeats the same copy from the written part of your post or tweet, you need to write alt text that indicates that, otherwise screen reader users could be left wondering what your image was! #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
She also shared that it’s wise to include any copy that’s on the image within the alt text. Then, there will never be any confusion about what your image contains.
A4: Good alt text describes exactly what the image is and adds context that can't be seen without the visual.
So for instance, writing "the sun over a lake" gives a general idea.
"A red & pink sun begins to set over the lake" gives a much clearer picture. #ContentWritingChat
This is a great example of a descriptive piece of alt text. Keep Rachel’s advice in mind!
A4. Describe the important details of the image and then summarize. The text should be such that if you close your eyes or didn't have the image in front of you, you need to be able to visualize it (the relevant information at least) #ContentWritingChat
If you really want to test the effectiveness of your alt text, close your eyes and envision the exact description you’ve written to see if it creates a clear picture in the mind.
Q5: What are some ways to use emojis in content so they don’t cause accessibility issues?
Who would have thought that cute emojis could create a problem when it comes to digital accessibility? Unfortunately, it’s true. And you may want to start rethinking emoji placement after reading this:
A5: I always suggest that you place emojis at the end of your posts and tweets to avoid making your written content confusing. Each icon has a unique description assigned to it and assistive devices and programs will read that description to a user. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
To ensure your content is accessible, Alexa advises placing emojis at the end of your social media posts. Otherwise, it can be rather confusing when screen readers are reciting the text from your post.
A5 continued: So basically, if you were to type “Hi ?? my name is Alexa” a screen reader would translate it as “Hi Waving Hand: Light Skin Tone my name is Alexa”. This also means you probably shouldn’t use emojis as bullet points either. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
As you can see in her tweet above, the way a screen reader would translate the text with an emoji in the middle of a sentence isn’t user-friendly. It may come across very confusing to someone who isn’t able to see the post for themselves.
A5 continued: A super helpful website for learning about the different descriptions and appearances of emojis across devices, platforms, and browsers is @Emojipedia! Definitely check them out. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
Alexa’s tip is to check out Emojipedia if you want to learn more about the descriptions of emojis. This will help you understand what someone may hear when using a screen reader to consume your content.
Carla is on the same page as Alexa and suggests avoiding putting emojis in the middle of a sentence. Keep them at the beginning or the end so you don’t disrupt the flow.
Q6: Are there any apps or programs you would recommend for captioning videos?
Captioning your social media videos does’t have to be such a chore. In fact, there are a number of tools that can make this process much easier. Here are some to check out:
A6: I usually use @YouTube for closed captioning, and it’s nice because anyone can have a YouTube channel. I upload my video as unlisted, let YouTube auto-caption it, edit those auto-captions so they’re accurate, and then make the video public. Boom, done! #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
When possible, take advantage of the built-in caption feature that many platforms offer. For instance, Alexa uses YouTube’s automatically generated captions. However, we know they typically make a few mistakes, so it’s worth going in and manually making edits for clarity.
A6 continued: You can also download your captions SRT file from YouTube and use it if you upload your video directly to Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. For open captions, which are the captions you can’t toggle off, I use the app @MixCaptions. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
Another option is to upload captions via an SRT file. If you’re posting a video on YouTube, you can download the captions and then use it when publishing to Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Alexa also recommends trying Mix Captions as a tool to make the process easier.
Carla typically relies on the built-in caption feature that many platforms have. She just makes sure to take the time to edit them before publishing. It’s great to see so many brands implementing this feature and making it easier for brands to incorporate captions.
Q7: How can marketers get leadership on board with accessibility?
Now, the final task is getting the entire team to agree that digital accessibility is crucial. To help you with this, you’ll want to remember this advice:
A7: Be direct. Creating accessible content can impact your marketing efforts and how many people you actually reach. Images with alt text can be accessed by more people and we all know the stat that 85% of internet users watch videos with the sound off. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
A7 continued: Accessible content can also keep you from getting sued. While digital content can be tricky when it comes to legality and compliance, it’s best to be proactive about the content you create and not reactive. Be accessible now, avoid trouble later. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
As Alexa pointed out, being accessible is just good business at the end of the day. It’s going to have a positive impact on your marketing efforts, as you’ll be able to reach more people. Plus, you want to avoid any legal trouble down the line, which is why being accessible now can be helpful.
A7 continued: Most importantly, you and your leadership should just care about the experience anyone has when they engage with your content. We should all care if people are being excluded from a conversation or can’t access important information. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 6, 2021
And ultimately, taking steps toward digital accessibility shows you care about your community. It shows that you’re aware of those who may have disabilities and that you want to serve them in the best way possible.
— Lori Anding ? || Introverted SoMe extrovert (@southbaysome) July 6, 2021
The final piece of advice is this tip from Lori. Please make sure you speak up. If there are ways your company can be more accessible, take the initiative and share your ideas for changing things.
Come hang out with us during the next #ContentWritingChat! We chat on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central. All you need to do is follow @ExpWriters and @writingchat for all the latest.
When did you last audit your social media presence?
If it’s been a while, let this be your sign to make this task a top priority.
Taking the time to review your social media accounts to ensure they effectively represent your brand and to tweak your strategy to get your closer to your goals will yield great results long-term. In fact, it’s something that you should do regularly!
And this #ContentWritingChat recap has all the tips you need to get started.
#ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Audit Your Social Media Presence
This month, we're hosting a community chat to discuss auditing your social media presence. ? pic.twitter.com/aK7pBDWKsW
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) June 1, 2021
This month, we held a community chat so all of you could step into the spotlight to share your tips. There was some amazing, actionable advice shared throughout the chat, so let’s dive into the recap so we can start auditing.
Q1: What does it mean to conduct an audit of your social media presence?
If you’ve never taken steps to audit your social media presence, then you might not know what it really means or where to begin. To give you a better understanding, here are a few responses from the chat:
A1. An audit for your social media is a review of all your social media profile to evaluate their performances, how well they're meeting your goals, and how they've contributed to the social media ROI so far. It helps make moving-forward decisions. 🙂 #ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) June 1, 2021
As Masooma said, an audit is your chance to evaluate how each of your social media platforms perform. Are you meeting your goals? Are you getting your desired results? Taking the time to answer those questions will help you determine if you’re on the right track or if you need to make some changes.
A1. It’s an assessment of your social media presence-what’s working, what’s not, how you can improve and grow your engagement on social media. #ContentWritingChat
To put it simply, an auditing your social media is essentially about seeing what’s working and what’s not. After all, this will help you figure out what kind of content to share more of.
A1: Metrics = Are you engaging your audiences? Analytics = How are you engaging them? Audits = Do they care?
When conducting an audit, you’ll want to dive deep into your analytics. This can help you see if you’re truly engaging your audience by sharing content that resonates with them. Shawn’s advice to do this quarterly is spot on.
Q2: Part of auditing your social media presence is choosing the platforms that are right for you. How can you determine if a new platform is worth your time and attention? How do you know when to ditch a platform?
Remember that you don’t need to be on every single platform. However, it’s still smart to try out the latest craze to determine if it’s worthwhile for you. Here’s how to figure it out:
A2: Know your buyers persona. Does she/he/they hang out on that platform? That is where you want to be: Where your people swim, you fish!
— Lori Anding ? || Introverted SoMe extrovert (@southbaysome) June 1, 2021
Lori’s advice is to know your audience. Are they hanging out on the platform you’re thinking about joining? If so, then it might be worthwhile for you to be present there. At the end of the day, you want to make sure your content is getting in front of the right people.
A2: When it comes to social media, my mantra is “No platform without purpose.” If you can’t think of a reason why a platform would be beneficial to you, there’s no need to be on it.
For maximum efficacy, prioritize the platform your audience prefers. #ContentWritingChat
Rachel knows that there should be purpose behind your social media efforts. If a particular platform isn’t going to get you closer to reaching your overall goals, then it’s likely not going to be worth your time.
A2. Any new (or current) platform has to provide value for your audience & feel comfortable for your brand. You’ll have to check out a new platform to see if these conditions are met. If a platform starts to feel “off”, chances are your audience will tell you. #ContentWritingChat
Another important thing to consider is whether or not a particular platform feels good to you. It’s much easier to create content for social media platforms that you are genuinely excited about.
A2. I like to trying out a platform for 30 days. Look at the stats. If they are good, ramp up my efforts. If they aren't, see what's not working. If it's worth the ROI & my target buyers are on the platform, I'll tweak my efforts. #contentwritingchathttps://t.co/kTEjVArebY
Kim offered a really great tip about giving a platform a chance for at least 30 days. This will give you a good idea of how things are going. If your content has been performing well, take it up a notch. If not, you’ll want to tweak your strategy or scale back.
A2. The reality of social media is that it can take MONTHS of hard graft, uploading and engagement before you start to see results, so give it a bit longer than you might like, before giving up on platforms that don’t seem to be working. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/EUk14G1iWtpic.twitter.com/QRpePnYYiW
Just remember that it’s going to take time before you see results. Don’t give up too soon.
Q3: Your bio is often the first thing people see when they visit your social media profile. What should it include so that it accurately portrays who you are and what your brand is all about?
No one wants a lackluster bio! These tips will help you spruce up social media bio so that you’ll effortlessly attract new followers who love what you do:
A3. You bio should always include:
– A brief and clear description of exactly what you do. – A bit about your personal interests to give people talking points. – A link to your website + newsletter/other social sites.#ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) June 1, 2021
A great bio needs to clearly state what you do, first and foremost. This will help people determine if your content is something they might be interested in. From there, you can add personal details to help strengthen your connection with your audience since they’ll get to know you better.
A3. It should include keyword, who your target buyer is, what you can do for them, and why they need you. Keep it simple and straightforward. Adding a few personal bits is OK too. #contentwritingchathttps://t.co/HUNA52u1y5
It’s also smart to include keywords in your bio, as this will help you show up when people are searching on various platforms.
A3: Be concise about what you do so that you can add "who you are". People relate to people. People buy from people they know, like, and trust. When you add a personal touch, you connect. #contentwritingchathttps://t.co/oLv34xyjX9
— Lori Anding ? || Introverted SoMe extrovert (@southbaysome) June 1, 2021
Adding a personal touch to your bio goes a long way to build the Know, Like, and Trust Factor.
A3. Your bio should have
Your name Your services Notable achievements (if you don't toot your own horn, no one will do it for you) A link to your website/portfolio#ContentWritingChat
Any achievements that would be impressive to your target audience are great to share as well. This can include features, awards, certifications, etc.
Q4: We all know consistency is key, but how often should we really be posting on each social media platform? And how can we ensure we’re staying on top of posting regularly?
The good news is, you don’t need to be overwhelming yourself by posting multiples times a day on every single platform. It’s more about keeping your account active so you stay top-of-mind.
A4. Follow this: frequency x quality.
You don't have to post daily, but every 1-2 days is important to stay on top of your audience's mind + not compromise on the posts' quality.
Also, you don't have to post daily, but you do need to engage daily. #ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) June 1, 2021
Masooma feels you don’t need to post daily, but you should engage daily. That goes a long way in building relationships with your target audience. When you do post, always focus on sharing high-quality content.
A4: Content creation doesn’t need to be as frequent as people think. A few solid posts a week is as good a foundation as any.
Consistent content communication is more important. You can be an active listener & engage w/ other content until your next post. #ContentWritingChat
A few posts per week is a great place to start. The key is to make sure you’re still listening to other conversations and engaging with people to build relationships.
A4: Automation helps you to share informative content regularly, but you have to engage in real-time. Use tools to track important topics and set a schedule around peak engagement times to participate in relevant discussions. #contentwritingchat
Using third-party tools to schedule content in advance is incredibly helpful. Just make sure that any engagement you do is done in real-time. Don’t automate that!
A4:
Trends are why it's best practice to have a content calendar for your social media. Prepare the evergreen stuff in advance and schedule twice a day to stay visible.
When scheduling content, it’s smart to fill your queue with evergreen content. You know, content that doesn’t have an expiration date because it’s always relevant. Then, you can add the latest trends as needed or post them in real-time.
Kim suggests using scheduling tools that provide you with the best times to post. This way, you can maximize your impact on the social media platforms you’re using.
A4: Test Test Test That is how you know how much to post. Posting once to twice daily on Instagram has created an excellent community of engaged fans/followers. Posting a few times/day on Twitter can help you reach the same results.
— Lori Anding ? || Introverted SoMe extrovert (@southbaysome) June 1, 2021
Ultimately, it’s all about testing to see what works for you. Don’t be afraid to tweak your strategy over time to see what gets the best results.
Q5: Should you keep an eye on what competitors are doing? If so, how can this play a role in your social media strategy?
Although you don’t want to become too obsessed with your competitors, you can learn a lot from them. Here’s what you should look for while doing your research:
A5. Keeping an eye on the competition helps you avoid their mistakes and gives you ideas on what to try out.
But you should beware of the copycat trap. You don't have to do everything they're doing. #ContentWritingChat
When you watch your competitors, you’ll be able to spot the mistakes they make and avoid falling victim to the same ones. It’s a great learning opportunity.
A5. Once in a while, it's good to track what your competitors are doing. The idea isn't to copy them, but to identify what they're doing differently and if you can do it better. Their performance might even inspire some fresh ideas! #ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) June 1, 2021
Just make sure you don’t copy your competitors. That’s not cool! Instead, use this research to inspire you to come up with fresh, new ideas of your own.
A5: What's the saying:
Keep your friends close and your competitors closer!
Use them as fuel to drive your success. It's like a race. Once you are on their tail, keep going.
— Lori Anding ? || Introverted SoMe extrovert (@southbaysome) June 1, 2021
Lori feels it’s smart to use your competitors to fuel your success. Allow them to motivate you to do better.
A5. If you’re checking in on competition too often you might find yourself copying what they do and unable to come up with original ideas – you should only ever be in competition with yourself yesterday, this is how you’ll stay true to your values & be unique #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/eHEA2D1tbepic.twitter.com/hVuOeYP8u3
If you find yourself too consumed with what your competitors are up to, take a break for a bit. You don’t want to start copying what they’re doing, nor do you want them to overly influence the things you’re creating.
Q6: What are some important metrics to track on your social media accounts to ensure you’re on the right path?
Diving into your analytics can reveal some great information as you audit your social media presence. Instead of getting overwhelmed with the data, here’s what you should look for:
A6. I track engagement-related metrics such as comments, retweets (with comments)/reshares, and mentions. These tell me how much people are relating with the content I'm creating + how well I'm doing at building genuine relationships with my social community. #ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) June 1, 2021
Masooma focuses on metrics that are related to engagement. That includes comments and mentions, for example. It’s a great way to see if your audience is resonating with the content you share.
Q6. Engagement and growth is usually a good sign that you’re creating worthy content that will draw in the right audience. It’s not a numbers game though as having a small number of followers that are loyal is much more valuable than thousands that aren’t. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/e9Hi1fHhpFpic.twitter.com/9AuSYLaoHA
If you’re seeing a boost in engagement and more followers, that’s a good sign that you’re on the right track. Just don’t obsess over your follower count too much. It’s better to have quality followers rather than a bunch of followers who aren’t paying attention to what you share.
Q7: Are there any helpful tools you can use for tracking social media analytics, scheduling content, etc.?
The answer is yes! There are tons of tools that will help you audit your social media presence, ranging from free to paid options. Here are a few to consider:
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) June 1, 2021
Masooma has a few brands that she loves to check out on social media, one of which is Wendy’s. They’re well-known for their sass as they roast others on their Twitter account.
— Lori Anding ? || Introverted SoMe extrovert (@southbaysome) June 1, 2021
Lori actually took things one step further and created a Twitter List of some of her favorite people to follow.
Want to join us for an upcoming #ContentWritingChat? Mark your calendar for the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central. Then, follow @ExpWriters and @writingchat. See you at our next chat!
For this month’s chat, we wanted to do something a little different to our normal topics.
We decided to chat about what it means to be an introvert and a business owner.
After all, it seems so many people in the entrepreneurial community these days are actually introverts. Knowing it was something many people could relate to, we had to talk about it on #ContentWritingChat.
We talked about struggles that introverts face, how they can effectively use social media, and even how they can build a thriving online business. Let’s dive into the tips!
#ContentWritingChat Recap: Succeeding as a Creative, Introverted Entrepreneur with Kim Beasley
Our guest host is @KimBeasley, a coach who helps others grow their online businesses. ?
She's joining us to talk all about succeeding as a creative, introverted entrepreneur. A topic she's written a book about! pic.twitter.com/dfnykgzBNB
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) May 4, 2021
Our guest host for this month’s chat was Kim Beasley. Kim coaches fellow introvert entrepreneurs and guides them to growing their online businesses to success. She’s actually written a book all about the topic, called The Creative Introverted Entrepreneur.
Q1: What do you think it means to be both a creative and introverted entrepreneur?
Before we dive into all the awesome tips, let’s first covert what it means to be creative and introverted as an entrepreneur. Here’s how some of our chat participants defined it:
To put it simply, it’s someone who has a creative mind, identifies as an introvert, and has a business of some kind.
A1: I think it's about using both your creativity and your personality as an introvert to build and run a business in a way that feels good to you. #ContentWritingChat
When you’re an introverted entrepreneur, you need to consider how that comes into play in your business so you can plan your day-to-day and run your company in a way that feels good.
As Carla said, having that personal space is key when you’re an introvert. You’ll need to make sure you prioritize time to yourself to rest and recharge.
Q2: What advice would you personally give to those who are introverts and running an online business?
It’s important to make your business work for you, so you’ll want to factor in your unique personality when it comes to how you’re showing up online. Here’s some advice for all those introverts out there:
Kim encourages introverts to become more confident in putting themselves out there online through mediums like social media. It’s key in generating more exposure for your business. She also suggests utilizing email marketing. That’s a fantastic way to stay in touch with your audience over an extended period of time, always bringing them back to your work and what you do.
A2: I think digital marketing makes it maybe a bit easier for introverts to get the word out about their businesses. If you don't enjoy networking in person, you can do it online (and that's actually been an important skill this past year or so…). #ContentWritingChat
Michelle feels that networking online is really beneficial for introverts. Instead of attending in-person events, they can make connections without ever having to leave the comfort of their own home. Not only that, but when they’re ready to step away, all they have to do is shut down the computer.
A2: I think the online nature of things now allows people to be brave! You can put yourself out there in small doses, show your face at strategic times (for trust), and provide information in a conversational way — allowing your personality to come through. #ContentWritingChat
Rachel knows that there are so many ways to put yourself out there and show your personality online. As she said, you can do this in small doses, which is perfect for those just starting out and getting comfortable with being a public figure on the web.
A2: Find the safe place in conversations quickly. Where you are most comfortable is where you shine the brightest. #ContentWritingChat
Shawn’s advice of finding safe places for conversations is spot on. Figure out where you’re comfortable and make that your priority. After all, it’s your business and you get to do what feels right to you.
A2. Stick with your priorities, recognize what works for you and what doesn’t. As an introvert, you’ll need to budget in down time. Don’t feel you have to justify that to people. #ContentWritingChat
At the end of the day, it’s all about doing what works for you and saying no to what doesn’t. Just don’t forget to factor in that all-important downtime to recharge.
Q3 for Kim: What is the focus of your book, Creative Introverted Entrepreneur?
For everyone: How does being an introvert or an extrovert factor into your business?
For this question, we asked Kim to share a little bit about her book. And we invited all of our other participants to share their thoughts on how being an introvert (or an extrovert) comes into play within business. Here are some responses:
In Kim’s book, she shares her own journey of how she overcame the fear of being seen online. This is a common fear that many people have, so it’s amazing when others share that they’ve experienced the same. Kim was able to conquer that fear and begin building a business she loves.
A3
Being a MASSIVE introvert has allowed me to exponentially grow my business through writing!
Even though I’ve overcame my video/camera fears, writing is still my #1 channel.
I lean into my introversion, don’t get distracted, and enjoy writing. ❤️ #ContentWritingChat
As an introvert, Julia was able to build the Express Writers brand through the power of writing. Sure, she makes YouTube videos now that she’s overcome her fears of being on camera, but writing is her main focus.
A3: I think I rely on both sides – so on the introvert side, I can write, network & market all on my own. I need to focus to do that – so being an introvert helps. On the extrovert side, I need to talk/relate to prospects & clients (even over Zoom). #contentwritingchat
Michelle feels that she relies on both her introvert and extrovert sides.The introvert side allows her to do things completely on her own, while the extroverted side loves to connect with prospects and clients over video.
It sounds like Carla has thrived being an introvert with the current state of the world. She’s been able to spend more time by herself, just focusing on content creation.
A3: Being an extrovert is a big part of my brand — though in reality, I'm an ambivert! I love to share online and have conversations, it's energizing.
But I take designated time away from social often, so that I can have that outward energy later. #ContentWritingChat
Rachel knows the importance of balancing that energy. She shows up and gives her all, but takes time away from social media afterwards so she’s able to recharge and regain her energy after giving so much.
Q4 for Kim: What are some key factors from the book that can help introverted entrepreneurs?
For everyone: What are some struggles you think are common for introverts? And for extroverts?
Here, Kim shared some of the key points in her book, while everyone else chimed in on some of the common struggles that introverts (or extroverts) face in life and business:
In Kim’s book, she talks about facing your fears, understanding yourself as an introvert, and even using social media and building your business. If that sounds like something you need, definitely check it out.
A4:
Introvert struggles: – camera-shy: overcoming this to be on video, stages, live-streaming, etc. is huge.
Take it step-by-step, start with something small, and don’t over-pressure yourself. ❤️#ContentWritingChat
Julia knows that being a little camera shy is often a big struggle for introverts. Her advice is to take it step-by-step and avoid putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.
A4: For introverts (and some extroverts too), they don't always feel comfortable putting themselves out there online. The best thing you can do is just practice showing up.
Over time, you'll gain more confidence and it'll start to feel easier. #ContentWritingChat
By taking those baby steps often, you’ll begin to get even more comfortable doing the things that make you nervous. That’s why practice is key, so keep at it!
Q5: As an introverted entrepreneur, what are ways that you have found to overcome your fears of being online?
Putting yourself out there online can sometimes be a little scary. To face your fears and become confident showing up on various platforms, keep this advice in mind:
Kim’s advice is to focus on self-care and self-talk. These are two key areas to direct your attention so you can crush those fears and limiting beliefs that stand in your way.
A5: I like that @KimBeasley mentioned self-talk. The thoughts you tell yourself make a huge difference when it comes to how you feel.
Remind yourself that you're amazing and that you have value to add to the world. #ContentWritingChat
Because guess what? The thoughts you think about yourself are impacting you more than you realize. That’s why you need to be aware of what you say to yourself and remember that you have something important to share with the world.
A5
Introverts:
Identify, see, & then work on removing your self-limiting beliefs. ❤️
? Turn your “I cannot” into “I will try” and eventually an “I can!”
What we tell ourselves is SO powerful to our abilities & achievements!
Julia agrees that it’s all about identifying your limiting beliefs and taking the steps to break through them.
A5: When I stopped listening to the judgement around me being an introvert and embraced it, I found I had no fear of being online and speaking. That’s when things blossomed. Thanks to @susancain’s book, Quiet, I accepted ME for me. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/a67uCNYWRL
— Lori Anding ? || Introverted SoMe extrovert (@southbaysome) May 4, 2021
Lori knows that shutting out that judgement is essential here. Don’t ever think that being an introvert is a disadvantage.
A5: I practice using my laptop camera. Seeing how I show up on video first helps me when I livestream. I also plan out my talking points in my composition notebook so that I am not rambling. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/o7EBpAVRIe
This is great advice from Carla. Practicing in front of the camera (or the mirror) will help you get more comfortable with speaking. And don’t forget to come prepared with notes!
Q6: What are key ways that introverted entrepreneurs can grow their business online using social media?
As an introvert, there are some fun ways you can use social media within your business. Here are some great suggestions that you can implement:
Kim’s advice is to figure out where your target audience hangs out online and begin spending time there. Engage with new people frequently. Find people you look up to as mentors and talk to them. Reach out to others in your industry who can become friends. And of course, spend time connecting with potential clients too.
A6: I'd say – figuring out which social media platform works best for you and then consistently showing up there, engaging, sharing others' content, etc.
Of course, the first step in your success is to identify the right social media platforms to invest time into. You want to be where your audience is and use the platforms that play to your strengths. Then, it’s all about showing up consistently and sharing great content.
A6 Try to look at social media as a channel & media to get to know your audience, listen to them and converse with them. It's an opportunity to go beyond your website of your LinkedIn profile and show more of your brand / voice / messaging. Social = dialogue #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/uCxzm9kzTa
— Zala Bricelj – ?? ? #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) May 4, 2021
Use social media as a way to get to know your audience better. Listen to what they’re talking about and what they need help with. Doing this will help you to spot ways you can serve them.
Q7: How can introverted entrepreneurs use collaborative partnerships to grow their business?
After all, the right partnership can yield some pretty impressive results! Here’s how you can make the most of any collaborations you do:
As Kim said, partnerships can help you gain exposure to a much wider audience. You’ll be able to cross-promote and reach their social media followers, their email list subscribers, etc. It just might open you up to a world of potential new buyers.
A7
So. Many. Ways!! Re: How introverted entrepreneurs can use collaborative partnerships to grow their business
1️⃣ Welcome new opportunities. Put yourself out there! 2️⃣ Look for collabs with likeminded people. Turn away the wrong fit! 3️⃣ Show up & give 10x!#ContentWritingChat
If partnerships are something you’re interested in, keep Julia’s advice in mind. Work with those who are like-minded. Turn away anyone who isn’t a good fit.
A7: Collaborations are your secret weapon. If you team up with someone who's comfortable on camera, they can be lead and you can take questions from the audience during an Instagram Live, for example.
When doing partnerships, it helps to play up your strengths. Find ways to allow each of you to really shine and stand out when working together.
#CollaborationNotCompetition We've all got strong and weak points. The more we focus on collabs, the more opportunities we can co-create. We don't need to do everything ourselves, when we co-host or co-create and collab on different projects = more success #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/7JjQUWDqRp
— Zala Bricelj – ?? ? #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) May 4, 2021
And as Zala said, we don’t have to do everything ourselves. Working with other people can help you achieve the results you desire much faster.
Q8: What are ways that an introverted entrepreneur can grow their brand online?
And finally, we wrapped up the chat by sharing some additional tips that introverted entrepreneurs need to know. Here’s some wisdom from the chat:
A8b. Participate in online live streaming, Twitter chat interviews, Twitter Space interviews, etc. that grows your visibility online. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/fVmdOXG8FH
Kim suggests trying out video content to promote your business. Consider creating YouTube videos or using Instagram Stories or IGTV. You can even spend time live-streaming if that feels exciting! But if video isn’t your thing, the audio-only Twitter Spaces is definitely worth trying.
A8: As you are able, try to embrace the #buildinpublic mentality: Share your business learnings, your struggles, and what's coming next. While introverts may be reluctant to share, these kinds of posts, which speak to universal feelings, will help you grow. #ContentWritingChat
Rachel’s advice is to open up and be vulnerable. Share your bearings and struggles. This helps to humanize your brand and makes you more relatable. That will really help you connect with your audience.
How would you like to join the next #ContentWritingChat? Mark your calendars for the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central Time. Then, follow @ExpWriters and @writingchat to stay updated!
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) April 6, 2021
Our guest host for this month’s chat was Janet Machuka. She’s a social media marketing strategist and she has her own Twitter chat, #AfricaTweetChat. Janet shared some great tips with us, so let’s dive in!
Q1: What does it mean for a brand to be authentic?
If you’re curious what it truly means to have an authentic brand, here’s what you need to know:
A1. Being real, genuine and most importantly honest as a brand to your audience. #ContentWritingChat
Janet feels an authentic online brand is real, genuine, and honest.
A1. IMO, an authentic brand is one that shows its human side. How? By lifting the veil over the people managing their social media, showing their personality, having a brand voice, and sharing lots of BTS content too. #ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) April 6, 2021
For Masooma, it’s all about showing your human side. People want to get to know the real you and see your personality. It helps build a stronger connection.
A1: An authentic brand is one you trust, one that is approachable, and one whose content is relevant to you through several layers of your life. If you can't relate to a brand on a personal level, the authenticity score will go down for you personally. #ContentWritingChat
Being approachable is another great element of an authentic brand. When your audience can relate to you, you have a much better chance at succeeding on the way to your goals.
A1: A degree of transparency is necessary for a brand to be truly authentic, I think.
Transparency definitely helps! Be open and honest with your audience.
A1: To build an authentic personal brand, you need to be yourself. Allow people to get to know who you really are. Don't try to be something you're not. #ContentWritingChat
And don’t try to copy exactly what another brand is doing. You need to forge your own path and do your own thing. Be your true self and everything is sure to come together.
Q2: Why is brand authenticity such an important factor in establishing yourself online these days?
The authentic brands stand out more than the rest. Here’s why it’s a crucial factor in branding:
A2. —It differentiates you from the rest —To be engaged more, you need to be authentic as a brand —It makes a brand attractive and loveable —Authenticity can boost your brands network and referrals #ContentWritingChat
An authentic brand is going to stand out from everyone else in the crowd. People are more likely to support a brand that they find to be real, relatable, and trustworthy.
A2: Because people want to know who they're buying from. Social media provides a great opportunity to show them who you are. #ContentWritingChat
As Michelle said, people want to know who they’re buying from. Through social media, you can help people get to know you and your team. When they know you and like you, they’ll be more likely to engage with your brand and purchase your offerings.
A2: Authenticity is online currency. If you can't prove yourself here, where you have the chance to curate yourself, present products thoughtfully, & genuinely respond to feedback, why would I seek out your website or store?
Rachel brought up a great point about how people aren’t likely to visit your website or your shop if you fail to position yourself as an authentic online brand.
A2: Because you will position yourself as an expert. People will come to you to solve problems and that's how you make money. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/pRTXLKbmTc
At the end of the day, being authentic and showcasing your expertise is what will lead to even more sales in your business.
A2: Authenticity matters because you get to bring your uniqueness and individuality to the brand. A lot of companies are just copying each other but when you are authentic, genuine and real, you are going to stand out. #ContentWritingChat
And you’ll never get anywhere if you’re trying to be something you’re not. Don’t copy the other brands out there. Be yourself and do your own thing.
A2: I think people are now more skeptical and discerning because of the amount of in-authenticity–from fake news, to fake influencers, to brands "posing" their "realness" and people realizing they're not. So thinking and being "real" is critical #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) April 6, 2021
With so much fake content going around, it’s more important than ever to be genuine.
Q3: Can you share some advice on how to build an authentic, genuine brand online?
These tips will ensure your brand is authentic and resonates with your target audience:
A3. — Show your face — Be Transparent — Focus on Personal Interactions — Be open about our successes and failures — Communicate in a way that reflects your persona
Great answer from Janet! Show your face, be open and honest about your successes and failures, etc. Check out the article she shared for more tips.
A3: I think a brand needs to know who it is _before_ they go heavy on the digital marketing side. They need to have their values in order so they can build their brand authentically online.
Michelle suggests getting clear on your brand’s values before diving in. From there, it’ll be easier to build an authentic online brand people love.
A3. A good place to start is to have your values in order. Decide what you stand for then as @PRisUs said walk the talk.
Also, work on your brand voice and personality (helps get you noticed sooner rather than later) & shoot a lot of BTS content. #ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) April 6, 2021
Masooma agrees that you need to know your values first and foremost. After that, it’s about showing up. Behind-the-scenes content is a great way to showcase this!
Q4: What kind of content can you share that will allow you to showcase your personality and the values your brand stands for?
No need to stress over content ideas! Here are some suggestions you can use:
These are some great ideas from Janet. Draw inspiration from those who have created custom GIFs for their brand. They’re recognizable and add a little flair to your posts. You can even share inspirational stories about yourself and your customers.
A4. Behind the scenes content + personal account-based takeaways (for instance, X strategy worked for us).
Customer success stories also help in this regard to an extend. #ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) April 6, 2021
Behind-the-scenes content is always a great idea. People love to see what your everyday life is like, as it shows off your personality.
A4: Show off your employees, do behind the scenes short videos, GIFs, take part in community building activities and post those.#ContentWritingChat
If there’s more than just you working on your brand, make sure you’re introducing your team members to your audience as well. Better to get them acquainted with everyone!
A4: I wish more brands were brave enough to do Twitter Chats. Off the cuff content is a great way to get to know the vibe behind a brand: their humor, what matters to them, & how they work together.
I also think personalized infographics can be a great tool! #ContentWritingChat
Rachel would love to see more brands doing Twitter chats. They provide a great way to make connections, but brands also have the opportunity to just be themselves during chats.
Q4. Just be yourself. Share your thoughts, challenges, successes. Just share your journey. Couples with your unique brand identity you're all set, the rest will fall in place on its own. Just be consistent #ContentWritingChat
Share your thoughts, challenges, and success. Share your journey with others. The ideas here are truly endless, so get creative with what you post online.
Q5: How can you know if you’re actually resonating as being authentic with your target audience?
To know if you’re truly an authentic online brand, pay attention to metrics like these:
A5. —More engagements with your content — Your audience will love talking about you and referring you more often —Your audience will share more ideas, feedback, reviews and UGC about your brand —Increase in conversions, leads, sales. #ContentWritingChat
When it comes to metrics, you may notice an increase in engagement. More people starting conversations and offering feedback is always a plus since it’s an essential step in relationship building.
A5. A brand that resonates with its audience is a brand that garners lots of engagement, social mentions (for their personality and other aspects), and, of course, increased word-of-mouth recommendations. #ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) April 6, 2021
And who does’t love word-of-mouth referrals from happy customers?
A5: If your brand resonates with an audience, you'll feel it in the feedback. They'll respond to your emails, they'll provide thoughts with a smile instead of a smirk, and they'll share and respond to your content positively.
You’ll likely see more engagement on your social media platforms and even via email. When people are responding positively to your content, you know you’re on the right path.
A5. Numbers don't lie. Follow the figures, be it engagements, leads, sales or just an increase in traffic (reach, impressions). Genuine and authentic content gets genuine and authentic engagements #ContentWritingChat
And if you aren’t seeing the results you want, make some tweaks to your strategy. Don’t be afraid to change directions if needed.
Q6: If you have multiple people creating content for your brand, how can you be sure everything is aligned with your mission to be an authentic brand?
It’s important to keep everything on-brand! You can do that with your team by following these tips:
A6. —Communicate your brand niche clearly before they start writing the content. —Share a guideline with them to fully understand what kind of content that represent your brand#ContentWritingChat
Guidelines are incredibly helpful when you’re working with a team. Communicate your niche, your brand values, etc. before having anyone create content for you.
A6. A good way to be aligned is to create documents such as a document on brand voice, content creation guidelines, and more. Distribute them so that all teammates refer to the doc as they create content. #ContentWritingChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) April 6, 2021
Masooma suggests making a document that details everything a team member would need to know about content creation for your brand. Outline your brand voice, as well as any other tips they’d need to know.
A6: Two words: Style Guide. And go beyond "guide" to make it your Brand Bible–not just look and feel but a deep dive in tone, voice, personality, identity, content examples that reflect who you are. #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) April 6, 2021
A style guide will be a major help! Use it to share details of what works for imagery, brand voice, and more to keep everyone aligned with your brand vision.
A6. The simplest way is to align everyone to the same content calendar and the brand guidelines. The do's and don'ts should be like bible for folks working on the brand#contentwritingchathttps://t.co/wjtxtxTANl
— Vivek Nair – The Thrifty Marketer (@vivektweetsso) April 6, 2021
It’s also smart to get everyone on the same content calendar. Create a calendar and give everyone on your team access so they can stay updated.
A6: Have each person responsible for a certain niche or format (video, podcast, photos, blogs). I would also create a shift/day where each is responsible and put it on a master content calendar. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/AwV8voV9xj
Carla suggests assigning certain people to a specific format. If you have someone that’s great with video, make that their priority. It helps when people are able to shine and showcase their skills.
Q7: Are there any brands that show up authentically online that we can learn from?
Draw inspiration on being an authentic online brand from these examples:
These are some great brands to check out. Visit Janet’s suggestions over on Twitter and pay attention to what stands out about their brands.
Want to join the next #ContentWritingChat? Mark your calendars for the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central. And follow @ExpWriters and @writingchat for all the latest.
