Did you miss #ContentWritingChat this week? We have good news for you! We have a recap of our latest Twitter chat, which was packed with amazing tips on effective Instagram strategies for your business. Are you ready to dive in? Just keep reading!
#ContentWritingChat Recap: Smart Instagram Strategies for Your Business with Sue B. Zimmerman
Our guest host this week was Sue B. Zimmerman. Sue is a speaker and a top Creative Live instructor. She’s also known as the “Instagram Expert,” which is why she joined our latest chat. She shared a ton of amazing tips for building a presence on Instagram that you’ll want to put to use today.
Q1: How can you determine if Instagram is the right platform for your business?
With so many social media platforms available today, it can be tricky to determine which ones are best for you to invest your time and energy into. So, how can you figure out if Instagram is right for you? Keep these things in mind:
Are your customers on Instagram? Are your competitors active there? Can you actually commit to building a presence there? Those are questions you need to answer when deciding whether Instagram is right for you.
.@writingchat A1: if your target audience hangs out on Instagram, then it’s where your business should be. #ContentWritingChat
Sue recommends having an “Instagram Mindset.” She said you need to make taking great photos a priority. After all, Instagram is a visual platform and your followers expect to see quality posts.
A2) As with any social channel: Consistency, quality content and commitment! #contentwritingchat
We all know hashtags are a must on Instagram. Pamela recommends choosing the right mix of hashtags. Pick those that are popular (but not so popular that your post will get buried in seconds) and align with your audience. Consistency is key, too!
A2: Want Instagram growth? Post great content and engage with your audience. You need to BE PRESENT! #ContentWritingChat
Optimize your Instagram strategy by posting when your audience is actively using Instagram. Don’t forget to add relevant hashtags and be social with others.
Pamela recommends seeing how your content sits together and determining the story it’s telling. Make sure the content you’re posting aligns with your brand.
A3. Ask yourself: Would I like this if someone else posted? Does it align with my brand? Does it provide value? #contentwritingchat
Brittany brings up some great questions you should ask yourself before you hit that “post” button. Would YOU like what you’re about to post? Does it align with your brand? Does it provide value? These are important things to consider.
A3: Take the TIME to take a great photo. Don’t rush just to be able to post one. Make it an extension of your brand. #ContentWritingChat
Make sure your’e also taking the time to take great photos for your Instagram profile. Don’t rush content creation just so you can get something posted. It’s more important to post something great.
A3 Engagement, activity, real conversation! And when people want to follow you for more, you’re doing it right. #ContentWritingChat
As Julia said, you’ll know you’re on the right track when you see those engagement rates start to rise. When people are engaging with your content and starting to follow you, that’s a great sign.
Q4: What are the qualities of a great Instagram caption?
When it comes to Instagram, not only do you need a great image, but you also need a great caption. Here’s how to write one that stands out:
Varun recommends finding a sweet spot with your captions when it comes to length. Don’t forget the important CTA to tell your audience what to do next.
You have to do a little research to find the right hashtags for your posts and your audience. Once you’ve chosen the right ones, don’t put them in your caption. Instead, post them in a comment.
It’s important to know the answers to the questions Sarah suggested. Which hashtags are your audience using and engaging with? Which ones fit your brand?
A5: it’s better to be at the top of a smaller hashtag than drown in the content of a big one! #contentwritingchat
Spot on! Using hashtags that are too popular will only result in your posts getting buried within seconds. Choose hashtags that are still popular, but have a smaller audience.
Sue knows that you need to provide a CTA if you want your audience to take that next step with you. Direct people to the link in your profile to get them to take action. It’s also so important to build a community first. They’ll be more likely to take action then.
A7. Make a compelling offer in your caption and direct your bio link to a landing page. Get them off Instagram. #contentwritingchat
Pamela recommends making a compelling offer in your caption, then directing people to click the link in your bio. You want to move people from Instagram to your website to make a sale or convert them into an email subscriber.
@ExpWriters A7 – We use a bit.ly link to track and update it with almost every post to help users through the funnel. #contentwritingchat
Lori is a big fan of our very own guest host, Sue!
We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing. Follow @ExpWriters to stay updated on our new topics and guests!
Let’s face it. With all the platforms available today, social media can sometimes feel a little overwhelming.
After all, you have to create content for Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn – and don’t forget Pinterest and Instagram.
Managing all of your social media accounts can be a lot of work.
The good news is, social media management doesn’t have to be hard.
With so many tools available at our fingertips, it’s never been easier to create and schedule amazing social media content. You just have to choose the right apps for you!
And to make it a little easier, we’ve put together a break down of some of the best social media management apps.
The Benefits of Scheduling Out Your Social Media Using Tools
In case you needed a little convincing to get on-board with the social media management apps, here are a few benefits of scheduling in advance:
It creates consistency. One of the most important things when it comes to social media is consistency. You don’t want to pull a disappearing act by forgetting to post. You want to make sure you stay top-of-mind for your followers by posting on a regular basis. By scheduling your social media posts in advance, you’re able to do this.
You create better content. When you plan your updates in advance, you’re more likely to put thought into the updates you’re creating as opposed to the ones you craft on the fly. Your audiences expects to see the best and they deserve it, too. Make time to schedule so you can plan posts that your audience will enjoy and that your brand will benefit from.
Your Best Social Media Management Apps
To help you decide which app is right for you, we’ve rounded-up some of the best social media management apps to help you take control of your Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram profiles.
1. Buffer
Here at Express Writers, our go-to tool is Buffer. We use it to manage our many Twitter accounts, plus Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn. That’s not all it does! It also handles scheduling for Pinterest and Instagram.
The great thing about Buffer is that it’s incredibly easy to use. There’s really nothing complex about it! Both their website and mobile app (for Android and iOS) make it a breeze to schedule updates for any platform.
Check out our scheduled social media feed on Buffer (we have a lot of posts and profiles):
While you can use Buffer absolutely free of charge, you’d be missing out on some of the main features this social media scheduler has to offer.
The free plan limits you to scheduling only 10 updates at a time per account and you’re unable to add multiple accounts for each type of platform. (This means that two Twitter profiles or two Facebook pages would be out of the question.)
The good news is, Buffer’s “Awesome” plan is pretty affordable at only $10/month.
Buffer provides built-in analytics that give you insight into how well your posts are performing. You’re able to see which posts are actually resonating with your audience and which ones aren’t. This is essential so you can adapt your social media strategy for maximum results.
To make scheduling even easier, Buffer also offers an extension for your web browser. If you see a blog post you’d love to share with your followers, all you have to do is use the extension to quickly and easily add it to your Buffer queue without ever opening their website.
And finally, another great option on Buffer is their Optimal Timing Tool. What will this do for you? Well, you’ve probably seen all kinds of studies that show the best times to post on Twitter, Facebook, etc. While those studies are helpful, those times aren’t unique to your social media profiles. Buffer’s Optimal Timing Tool calculates the best times for you to post based on your own audience.
From its features and affordability to how easy it is to use, it should come as no surprise that Buffer made our list of the best social media management apps. It’s definitely one to check out if you haven’t already tried it.
Note: Buffer also provides plans for Teams & Agencies ranging from $99/month to $399/month, depending on your needs.
2. Hootsuite
When it comes to scheduling tools, Hootsuite is comparable to Buffer when it comes to price. Hootsuite offers a free plan that allows you to add three social media profiles. If you need a little more, you can upgrade to their Pro account for just $9.99/month, which allows you to add up to 50 social media profiles. It’s another great option if you want something that will get the job done without breaking the bank.
Here’s what a dashboard in Hootsuite would look like:
Courtesy of matthewfarmer.com.au
Hootsuite provides scheduling for a variety of platforms, including: Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
However, one thing they do differently is that they offer support for YouTube scheduling. By linking your Hootsuite account with YouTube, you’re able to schedule and share your YouTube videos right from Hootsuite. This is definitely convenient for video creators.
One of the great features about Hootsuite is that it’s more than just a social media scheduler. You’re actually able to monitor and engage in conversations with your followers directly from the Hootsuite website. Their engagement tools ensure you’ll never miss an important reply from someone.
Like Buffer, you also receive access to analytics on Hootsuite. You can use this information to see which posts are performing well on each of your platforms. With a Pro account, you’re able to go even more in-depth to improve ROI and analyze campaign performance through your analytics.
Note: Hootsuite also provides plans for small businesses and agencies. You can sign-up on their website to learn more about pricing.
3. Edgar
You can’t talk about the best social media management apps without mentioning the powerhouse that is Edgar.
Courtesy of Problogger.net (Darren Rowse)
While Edgar is certainly pricier than Buffer and Hootsuite, coming in at $49/month, it comes packed with features the other two platforms are lacking. It’s the only tool that will back you up in case your post queue goes empty.
Edgar is designed so that you add updates to your “library.” You can choose which platforms you want each post to be shared on, plus you’re able to save each one in a certain category. For example, you could create a category for “Blog Posts,” where you’d save any posts that link back to your blog. If you’re a big fan of sharing cat photos, you could even create a category for that, too.
Then, your next step is to create a posting schedule. You get to tell Edgar which types of posts you want to share and at what time. So, if you want to share a link to a blog post every Tuesday at 10 AM, you can do that no problem. Edgar will pull a post from your “Blog Posts” category and share it for you.
Edgar pulls your social media content straight from the library you’ve created. Whenever something has been posted, it goes back into your library at the bottom of the list. When Edgar runs out of content, he starts all over by pulling from your library. You’ll never have to worry about your queue going empty and not having something to share with your followers. Talk about making social media easier!
If Edgar sounds like one of the best social media management apps for you, you can give it a go with a free trial. Edgar currently works with Twitter profiles, Facebook profiles, Facebook pages, Facebook groups, LinkedIn profiles, and LinkedIn pages. It may not provide scheduling for as many platforms as Buffer and Hootsuite, but it sure packs a ton of value with its library feature.
Bonus: Tools That Manage Pinterest & Instagram
Now that we’ve given you scheduling tools for Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn, let’s talk about Pinterest and Instagram. First up, Pinterest!
4. Pinterest Scheduling: BoardBooster & Tailwind
First, you can use Buffer to schedule posts to your Pinterest boards (for paid accounts only). This is quite handy if you’re already using Buffer as your primary scheduling tool. You wouldn’t have to pay for something else and you’d have everything right in one place. However, if you’re looking for a tool with a few more features, you have a couple great options.
BoardBooster and Tailwind are both powerful tools for scheduling your Pinterest content. They each offer a free trial so you can see which one fits your needs and purchase from there. Both tools allow you to schedule your pins and have them post at optimal times for your account. If you’ve been seeing lackluster results on Pinterest, one of these tools could be just what you need to step up your presence there.
With Tailwind, you’re able to see a visual representation of your Pinterest queue before it posts. It makes it easy to see how many pins are in your queue and what’s coming up next. You can also schedule certain pins to be shared at specific times, which is quite convenient if you want to time a pin for the same time your latest blog post goes live.
To use BoardBooster, the application sets up a secret board on your current Pinterest profile. You pin to that secret board, then BoardBooster moves your pins from there to the public board throughout the day. In your “Board Performance Report,” you’ll be able to see exactly what BoardBooster has posted for you, plus a few stats on each pin. You’re also able to “loop” old pins by reposting them and you can pull popular pins from another user’s board.
Tailwind’s most affordable plan is for bloggers and small businesses. It comes in at jut $9.99/month. BoardBooster’s plans are set up differently in that they’re based on how much you pin per month. If you pin only 500 pins each month, you’d end up paying only $5/month, which is quite a bargain.
Instagram Scheduling
The tricky thing about Instagram scheduling is that the platform doesn’t allow third-party applications to access its API. What does that mean? None of the scheduling apps can actually post for you. Instead, you can schedule posts within the tool of your choice, which then sends a notification to your phone as a reminder to post. There are applications that post to Instagram for you, however they technically go against Instagram’s rules and we’d advise not using them. There are a few great options to consider for your Instagram scheduling that are absolutely safe to use.
5. Later
Later (formerly Latergramme) is a nice tool for scheduling your Instagram content. You can easily upload images and captions via desktop or through the mobile app for Android or iOS. One of the handy things about scheduling with Later is that you can actually upload multiple images and save them in your library. So, you don’t need to have your post planned out right away. You can save images and move them from your library to your queue later on.
6. Buffer or Hootsuite
Both Buffer and Hootsuite provide scheduling for Instagram. If you’re already using one of these tools for scheduling on other platforms, you may want to stick with them just to keep everything in one place. It’ll make things much easier for you!
Using The Best Social Media Management Apps To Your Success
By putting your social media management under one application umbrella, you save yourself a great deal of time, management, and trouble.
It’s a necessary step for the modern content marketer!
Take that a step further and hire a social media manager expert from our hand-picked, expert team! We’ll manage your profiles, create custom imagery, and write original, creative posts.Visit the Content Shop.
Did you miss #ContentWritingChat this week? Check out the recap and learn everything you need to know about leveraging your social presence and how to find clients with Twitter!
#ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Find Clients with Twitter with David Boutin of Social Quant
Our guest host this week was David Boutin. David is a digital marketer, writer, and marketer over at Social Quant.
Q1: What are ways to build potential customer/audience following and trust on Twitter?
If your business doesn’t know how to find clients on Twitter, you’re really missing out! These tips from Tuesday’s chat will have you building trust and attract all the right people to your account:
A1) It’s all about providing value. With every Tweet you make, ask yourself: “Will my audience care about this?” #ContentWritingChat
As David said, it’s all about providing value. If you want to build trust with your audience and show your expertise, you need to share valuable content with them. Before you post that next tweet, ask yourself if your audience will actually care about what you’re sharing.
A1: Curate content instead of going with 100% self-promotion. Respond with thanks when your content is shared. #contentwritingchat
Annaliese knows that you can’t promote yourself all the time. Instead of constantly pitching your own content, products, and services, you need to curate great content as well. Pull valuable articles from other sources and share them with your audience. And when someone shares your work, make sure you say thanks!
She also said to be human with how you use the platform. We agree that Twitter chats are a great way to show your human side by engaging in conversations and adding value.
A1: Talk to people, jump into conversations, offer to help & be consistent. It takes time to build relationships/trust #ContentWritingChat
It’s all about engaging with your audience! Brandie said to talk to people on social media. By jumping into conversations and offering your help, it can establish trust.
A1: Be sure to engage with your followers through social listening, curating content for variety, and memes for fun! #ContentWritingChat
Halle from CoSchedule agrees that engaging is a must! You can do some social listening to get to know your audience better and curate amazing content your followers will love. And you can add in some memes or GIFs for a little fun!
A1. Interact with like-minded ppl in your niche, share their content & look for opportunities to work together. #contentwritingchat
Kristen’s advice was to interact with like-minded people in your niche. You can share their content or potentially collaborate. Collaborations are a powerful way to not only grow your audience, but also establish trust with your audience.
A1: Join Twitter chats that have a huge following such as this one. Follow up with people you connect with afterwards. #ContentWritingChat
Remember that it takes time to build trust. It won’t happen overnight, so you need to be consistent about growing your social media presence and providing value to your audience.
Q2: Has Twitter played a role in helping your land customers for your business?
So, has it? Take a look at what some of Tuesday’s chat participants had to say:
A2) Yes! Twitter is great for content marketing b/c ppl want it there – sharing content on FB and IG feels intrusive IMO #ContentWritingChat
Brandie has had a great experience with using Twitter. The conversations she’s had on the platform have led to friendships, clients, and other opportunities.
A2: Yes! I have received book readers from using Twitter. #ContentWritingChat
As David said, it all goes back to providing value for your audience. If you want to convert someone into a customer, you need to establish yourself as an expert in your field by showing your knowledge and expertise. Share great content with your audience that they want to see.
A3: Communicating & engaging with them. Treating them like a human & not someone on the other side of a screen! #contentwritingchat
You also want to make sure you’re aware of who your audience is. What are they interested in? What do they need help with? Show them how you can help and those conversion rates will increase.
A3. Ask ’em to sign up for your email list! That’s where the relationship really blossoms ? #contentwritingchat
Kristen knows just how powerful email marketing can be. She suggested getting those Twitter followers on your email list. You can nurture the relationship there and encourage them to make a purchase.
A3 We’ve started including more CTAs in our blog posts for email grabs. Clickthroughs = subscribers = potential buyers #ContentWritingChat
Julia also agrees email is where it’s at! Once you get those subscribers on your email list, you can grow those relationships and promote your products to increase sales.
A3. Give away a LOT of value for free, to build that “know, like, trust” factor. Then charge for the best of the best. #contentwritingchat
Pamela’s advice is to give a lot of value away for free. This can help establish you as an authority in your field and it gives your audience a taste of what your paid content is like. It’s really going to help you build that Know, Like, and Trust Factor.
A3) Provide value to your followers. Value = trust. Trust = conversions #contentwritingchat
David knows Twitter chats are a great way to make connections online. They make it so easy to reach out and start a conversation with someone new. Just make sure you take the time to nurture those relationships after the chat.
Erika said the key is to finding the chats where your ideal customer is hanging out. Those are the chats you should participate in regularly. She also said to make sure you introduce yourself by telling people what you do and who you serve.
A4) Twitter chats are an amazing tool. Use them to monitor & engage customers, partners, vendors, prospects, local bizs! #ContentWritingChat
David’s advice is to wait until after the chat to reach out. Don’t do it in the middle of a Twitter chat. Reach out afterwards via a direct message or through email. You can read their responses to figure out what their struggles are and reach out later with specifics on how you can help.
It helps to touch on the topic you discussed during the Twitter chat when you reach out later. It shows you were paying attention. You can even start by sharing a relevant blog post from your website.
A5. Learn everything you can about them & reach out via email/DM. Having a fully-baked idea/pitch helps! #contentwritingchat
Kyle said to answer any questions this potential customer may have. If you have a solution to their problem, let them know about your product or service. It’s a great idea to do by following-up after the chat.
A5: Don’t sell, but communicate. Sharing products over and over and not caring about your audience is a no-no. #contentwritingchat
David said to make sure your profile is working together. Have a nice cover image, a captivating bio, a link to your website, and a pinned tweet with a call to action that’ll get your audience’s attention.
A6 Being present! Make sure you’re involved with your twitter account everyday & sharing content that’s worth looking at #ContentWritingChat
Annaliese said you shouldn’t only broadcast your content and services. You should retweet others, curate content from other sources, and interact with your followers.
A6. Sprinkle in some non-work stuff, to show you’re a real (and fun) person. People do business with people they like. #contentwritingchat
Brittany knows that authenticity is important when building your presence on social media. Be true to yourself. If you aren’t, your audience will see right through it.
Q7: How can you promote your service the right way on Twitter?
Promoting your services on Twitter doesn’t have to be hard! This advice’ from Tuesday’s chat will help you out:
A7) Nurture leads on Twitter and organize them w/lists. As they become warm, take the conversation off Twitter and sell #ContentWritingChat
David said to use Twitter to nurture leads, and then take the conversation off of Twitter to make the sale. He recommends using Twitter lists as a way to keep track of people and build relationships.
A7) Speak about its value to the customer – use case studies instead of simply pitching. Talk about the benefits. #contentwritingchat
Focus on the value your product or service can provide to a potential customer. Annaliese suggests using case studies as a way to show the benefits it can have.
A7: By sharing your knowledge. Show that you are good at offered services instead of telling potential customers you are #contentwritingchat
Make sure you give your audience a clear call to action. Thell them what the next step is. Pamela said to send them to your website or encourage them to sign-up for your email list.
@ExpWriters A7: use your banner, update bio, use Twitter ads for promotion, share content via graphics with hashtags #ContentWritingChat
Quite a few of you agreed about utilizing Twitter headers. Make use of your Twitter header and bio as a way to promote your latest product or service. You can even try Twitter ads if you’re willing to spend a little money.
Q8: What brands do a great job of promoting themselves on Twitter?
Who is doing a fantastic job on Twitter? Check out these brands:
We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing. Follow @ExpWriters to stay updated on our new topics and guests!
Mary was lucky enough to snag a free ticket to a conference she wanted to attend. (Pretty cool, right?) All she did to get attention was tag the conference on social media when she shared a link to her blog post about it. They got in touch and offered her a free ticket. It’s super simple, but highly effective. Tagging brands or influencers is a great way to get noticed.
A1 Free event tickets from my guest blogs. I’ve reached out to online writers on Instagram and sold my book to them. #ContentWritingChat
Our CEO, Julia, said she received free event tickets as a result of guest blogs she’s written. She’s also been proactive about reaching out to writers via Instagram as a way to promote her book.
A1: Tagging brands when sharing on social media has gotten me some free swag. Can’t argue with that! #ContentWritingChat
Amanda said starting conversations and sharing honest thoughts is a great way to get noticed. You can’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Start talking to new people.
@ExpWriters A1: Having conversations. Whether it’s through your blog or on twitter, everyone enjoys feeling acknowledged #ContentWritingChat
Mary likes to use her social media bios as a way to mention both of her businesses. She also makes sure to include some personal information about herself as a way to make her a “real” person. This is a great way to form a connection with your audience. Those personal tidbits are something they might really resonate with.
A2. Know that you’re talking to actual people and make your bio/ posts more conversational. Keep it real. #ContentWritingChat
Kyle is absolutely right with his advice. One of the best ways you can stand out is to just be yourself. You need to be genuine and people will resonate with that. If you aren’t true to yourself, people will see right through you.
A2: Be human, show personality. Display who your team is behind the brand to showcase who you are. #ContentWritingChat
Be human and show your personality through the content you create. If you have a team working alongside you, let your audience get to know them as well. When you give them a chance to see who the team is behind the brand, they’ll start to connect with you.
A2 Be PERSONAL! Don’t just share about biz. Coffee fanatic? Word nerd? Tea lover? Mom/dad? Add what makes you relatable #ContentWritingChat
Julia agrees! Allow people to get to know you outside of your business. That’s what helps you form that bond with your audience because they can relate to you.
A2. Have a distinct personality and point of view. And know what *types* of content you want to share on each platform. #contentwritingchat
Jane knows great images can be very powerful on social media. She suggests using high-resolution photos or sharing quick videos to help your posts stand out.
A2: Give them a reason to come back! What makes you or your brand worth a like or follow? #ContentWritingChat
For Mary, she tells stories about how she has approached situations that deal with her area of expertise. Not only does this provide informative content for her audience, but it can help build trust with them as well.
She also likes to share content from other sources and add her unique perspective.
A3) Find others passionate about your interests. Listen to what they have to say and then provide your own perspective. #contentwritingchat
Kyle said to make sure you’re listening to what others have to say on social media. (After all, you need to be social instead of just posting about yourself all the time.) Join conversations with others and share your own perspective on topics.
A3. Get involved with the community surrounding your niche. That means FB groups, Twitter chats & forums. #contentwritingchat
Kristen and Pamela agree that it’s important to get involved in your niche’s community. You can do this by joining Twitter chats, Facebook groups, and even online forums. As Pamela said, just make sure you’re engaging with others and adding value.
A3: Talk to people, share content (yours & Theirs), participate in chats, take it offline, connect on other platforms #ContentWritingChat
Brandie said to talk to people. You can participate in chats, connect on other platforms, and even take it offline. Make sure you’re not just sharing your own content, but sharing the content of others as well.
A3: I think it’s not just about sharing your opinion but sharing articles/opinions of others! Takes one to know one! #ContentWritingChat
Jane recommends also sharing the articles and opinions of others. It’s not just about sharing your opinions, but you need to know what others are saying as well.
A3: Showcase who you are and the knowledge you have within your industry. BE an expert, BE an influencer. #ContentWritingChat
Never stop learning! As Zachary said, experts are students of their niche. Even if you think you know it all, there’s always more to learn. Stay updated on what’s going on and keep an open mind.
Q4: Can you really connect ROI to a social presence?
Can you connect ROI to your social presence? Here’s what some of Tuesday’s chat participants had to say:
A4: Absolutely. I have people who see my TEDx talk from my LinkedIn account, and we wind up working together. #contentwritingchat
Mary said YES! You can definitely connect ROI to your social presence. She said people see her TEDx talk from her LinkedIn account and then they often end up working together. That’s results!
A4) Absolutely. You need to track the numbers, though. Engagements, checkouts, web traffic. Show progress over time. #contentwritingchat
You never know where you’ll find your next business deal! Social media can certainly help you gain the attention of someone who wants to work with you.
A4 Yes. Focus, engagement & conversations can lead to sth. A deal, a connection, referral, job, kind word, opps. #ContentWritingChat
Mary encourages those who send her LinkedIn invitations to join her email list. Once someone is on your list, it becomes a great way to make connections and drive sales.
A5. Social media builds your “know, like, trust” so you’r ready for the sale – whether that’s on social or not. #contentwritingchat
Pamela said social media can help build the Know, Like, and Trust Factor with your audience. Ultimately, this can help you convert a follower into a client or customer.
A5: Engaging in your community creates brand awareness. Consumers are likely to choose business from a brand they know #ContentWritingChat
Great points from Tim! Instead of promoting your business all the time, you need to make sure you’re also engaging with your audience. You want to be social and establish a relationship with them.
@writingchat A5. Have social goals tied to your business goals. Don’t do social just as a checkmark of todos #ContentWritingChat
It’s so simple, but it works! Mary knows a great way to start engaging with influencers involves sharing their content and updates. It shows that you’re listening and that you’re interested in what they have to offer. If you share an influencer’s content regularly, he/she is sure to take notice.
A6: If I use their name in content I’ve written I’ll tag them in my social share of my content. #contentwritingchat
Mary also recommends tagging people on social media if you’re mentioned them in your content. It’s a great way to start a conversation and the influencer just might share your work.
A6) Comment on their content, particularly their pinned content which is likely their featured piece. #contentwritingchat
You can’t be afraid to put yourself out there by starting conversations with influencers. Niall recommends asking questions as a way to get a chat going.
A6: I’m a firm believer in joining in on the conversation and making a platform for yourself. Build your reputation! #ContentWritingChat
Brandie’s advice is to connect with influencers and develop a relationship with them. You can share their content, talk to them, and find ways to offer value.
Julia recommends approaching it like you would in real life. How would you start a conversation with someone? You can retweet their posts and reply to them to get started.
A6. Find a common area of interest, start a conversation, build rapport & clarify how you can be useful to them as well. #ContentWritingChat
As Mary said, people likely didn’t see it when you shared it the first time around. No one is judging you for resharing your content, so don’t be afraid to do it.
@ExpWriters A7: Add an update, put a new perspective, or explain why it is still relevant. Good content seldom expires #ContentWritingChat
Here at Express Writers, we share blogs that are over a year old as long as they’re evergreen. You want to make sure it’s still relevant to the times and to your audience. You can change it up my writing a new blurb for each share.
Q8: What brands are doing it right with a powerful social media presence?
Who does a great job with their social media presence? Check out these brands:
A8) @Buffer are killing it online on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (and probably more that I haven’t seen yet!) #ContentWritingChat
Brittany loves Travel Alberta and Everlane. She also knows Gary Vaynerchuk is awesome at everything on social media and we have to agree! We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing. Follow @ExpWriters to stay updated on our new topics and guests!
Did you miss #ContentWritingChat this week? Well, you sure missed one busy chat! This Tuesday, we shared a ton of tips that will help you become a Twitter superstar. Keep reading to learn more!
#ContentWritingChat Recap: Twitter 101, How to Build a Following, Write Compelling Posts, & More with Madalyn Sklar
Our guest host this week was social media guru Madalyn Sklar. Madalyn is the host of the #TwitterSmarter podcast and Twitter chat. She has also been ranked #1 in social media for the Houston, Texas area. Pretty amazing! Be sure to check out Madalyn’s website and her podcast.
Q1: What are the best practices for building a following on Twitter?
Are you looking to give your following on Twitter a major boost? You just need to keep these tips in mind:
A1: Best practices for building a Twitter following: listen, engage, share great content, be consistent, be real. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
A1: Being real and transparent is everything on social media and especially on Twitter. You can’t fake it over here. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
What are Madalyn’s tips for landing more Twitter followers? Listen to others, engage with your audience, share great content, be consistent, and be real. If you do these things regularly, you’re sure to see results. Also, make sure you’re always true to yourself. If you aren’t, your audience will see right through you.
A1: Think of Twitter as a cocktail party. Talk to people. Connect with them. That’s the mindset to building a following. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
Madalyn also said to think of Twitter as a cocktail party. Make sure you’re talking to people and connecting with them. That’s a great way to look at it!
A1: We would say engagement! Twitter is a great tool to build relationships and converse with your audience & users. #contentwritingchat
— MioDatos (@MioDatos) July 19, 2016
A1: Engage, engage & engage! Also share valuable information that your followers want to interact with. #contentwritingchat
— Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) July 19, 2016
Engagement is definitely key if you want to grow your following on Twitter or any social media platform.
A1: Follow people, talk to them, participate in chats that appeal to you. Communicate a worthwhile message! #contentwritingchat
— Chris Christensen (@christensen143) July 19, 2016
Chris knows participating in Twitter chats is a great way to build your audience. Twitter chats make it easy to connect with others. You don’t have to worry about feeling awkward when jumping into a conversation.
Sarah from ThinkSEM said to get to know your audience and share the content they want. When you give your audience what they’re looking for, you’re giving them a reason to follow you and stick around. Don’t forget to also listen to them as well. What are they saying online?
#ContentWritingChat A1: Post useful, interesting content consistently (at least 5x per day) & use 1-2 industry-specific hashtags per tweet.
— New Jupiter Media (@NewJupiterMedia) July 19, 2016
Post content that is both useful and interesting to your audience and do so consistently. Don’t forget to select a relevant hashtag or two to expand your reach.
A1 Joining #ContentWritingChat and other Twitter chats has been a great way for me to find like-minded followers!
— Bill Skowronski (@BillSkowronski) July 19, 2016
A1 If you provide value or solutions to problems, you will build a Twitter following organically. No short cuts! #ContentWritingChat
— Bill Skowronski (@BillSkowronski) July 19, 2016
Bill has us all blushing over here! He knows that Twitter chats, including #ContentWritingChat, are a great place to find like-minded followers. He’s also spot on with his advice. If you’re providing valuable content, people will want to follow you.
Q2: What makes Twitter chats a must for anyone on Twitter?
If you haven’t joined a Twitter chat yet, you’re really missing out! (And you should absolutely be joining #ContentWritingChat.) If you haven’t yet figured out why they’re a must, just read these tweets:
A2: Twitter chats are an amazing way to connect with like-minded people and build your tribe. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
A2: Twitter chats allow you to get educated on a variety of topics and subjects. It’s better than Google! #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
Madalyn said Twitter chats are an amazing way to connect with like-minded individuals. With so many chats going on these days, it’s easy to find one where your audience is hanging out. She knows they’re also a fantastic way to learn and expand your knowledge.
As Sarah said, Twitter chats are the perfect place to network, meet new friends, and get insight from others.
A2. Connection. Collaboration. Expertise. I love learning from others and creating great online communities w/ chats! #ContentWritingChat
— Bourbon & Honey (@BrittanyBrander) July 19, 2016
Connection, collaboration, and expertise. Great answer from Brittany!
A2) They’re fun! Lot’s of like-minded (and not so) participants. You learn and share what you know #ContentWritingChat
— Tim Fawkes (@Tim_Fawkes) July 19, 2016
Tim thinks Twitter chats are a lot of fun. He knows they’re a great place to connect, but also to learn and share the knowledge you have.
A2: chats are HUGE for genuine relationship building..it brings together like-minded individuals #ContentWritingChat
— Brett Pucino (@BPucino) July 19, 2016
Brett said chats are a must for genuine relationship building.
A2. A great place to find others to follow, helps show your knowledge on a topic and can help you learn a things too. #contentwritingchat
— BrandBlox (@BrandBloxNet) July 19, 2016
The best chats are ones where you can share your knowledge to help others and you can learn a thing or two as well.
@ExpWriters A2: Great opportunity to network, talk to great people and learn something new from the great responses! #ContentWritingChat
— TransactViaLegal (@TNTL2015) July 19, 2016
Chats are a good opportunity to network and learn something new.
Q3: How can you create content that stands out on Twitter?
Dealing with Twitter’s character limitations doesn’t have to hold you back. You can still create amazing content that gets noticed by your audience. Here’s how:
A3: Know what content your audience is interested in and cater to them! #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
A3: Use content that stands out on Twitter: images, video, GIFs #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
Madalyn knows it all goes back to your audience when it comes to creating content. If you want to share amazing content on Twitter, you have to give your audience what they want to see. Provide value to them.
She also recommends using images, videos, and GIFs to get your content noticed.
A3: Always think: What is of value to my audience on Twitter? What pulls them closer to me? #contentwritingchat
— Ray Sidney-Smith (@w3consulting) July 19, 2016
Ray is on the right track with his answer. He knows how important it is to consider your audience when creating posts for Twitter. Think about what your audience would value and give that to them.
A3. Be passionate about the stuff you share + engage others in discussions about it. #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) July 19, 2016
Kristen feels passion is key when it comes to sharing content on Twitter. If you want your tweets to get noticed, make sure you’re passionate about what you’re posting.
A3: VISUALS! Adding videos and images to your content will help them stand out on your followers timelines! #ContentWritingChat
— TransactViaLegal (@TNTL2015) July 19, 2016
Adding a visual is always helpful if you want your content to stand out. Create eye-catching graphics that will grab the attention of your audience as they scroll through their timeline. Don’t forget to add relevant hashtags as well.
A3 Creating “stand out” content requires a great visual, a great subject, & a great deal of subject-matter research #ContentWritingChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) July 19, 2016
Shereese said if you want to stand out, your content needs to have a great visual, a great subject, and a great deal of subject-matter research.
A3. Provide value – Could someone get this info somewhere else? Take common info but present it in a more usable way #contentwritingchat
— BrandBlox (@BrandBloxNet) July 19, 2016
Provide value to your audience. What are they interested in? What would help them? Give your followers what they’re looking for.
A3: By sharing/creating posts that share a consistent message with media, appropriate hashtags, interactions, etc. #ContentWritingChat
— Jane Clauss (@JaneClauss) July 19, 2016
Jane recommends keeping your message consistent across all of your posts. Don’t forget to add hashtags and interact with others as well.
A3) Drill down into demographics analytics and optimise keywords/hashtags. Have a new take even if it’s an old topic #ContentWritingChat
— Ellie Hubble (@ellie_hubble) July 19, 2016
Ellie said to check out your analytics and find out the demographics of your audience. When you get to know them, you can optimize your content for keywords and hashtags so you can stand out.
To put it simply, write for your audience. Give them what they’re looking for and they’re sure to love your content.
Q4: Are there rules to how often you should post on Twitter?
How often should you really be posting? Is there such a thing as too many tweets? Check out what some of the participants from Tuesday’s chat had to say:
A4: There are NO rules when it comes to Twitter. You make the rules! You can post how often you want. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
A4: But I will say you don’t want to post too little or too much. Find an amount that works for you. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
Madalyn said there are NO rules when it comes to Twitter. You can post as often as you’d like. Just make sure you don’t post too little or too much. Find a balance that works for you.
A4: If you are new to Twitter and just starting out, I recommend tweeting 3-5 times a day. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
She also recommends to post 3-5 times per day if you’re just getting started on Twitter. Great advice!
As Sarah said, it all goes back to your audience. No matter how often you post per day, make sure you stay consistent.
A4: Post as often as you feel comfortable with. Just make sure you’re focused on providing value + remaining consistent. #ContentWritingChat
— Rachel (@redheadrachel) July 19, 2016
Ultimately, you want to make sure you’re providing value to your audience with every tweet you post. You should always be focused on giving your audience the great content they want to see.
A4 I prefer a solid Created/Curated balance rather than a posting quantity limit. Whatever amount, give valuable content #Contentwritingchat
— Bill Skowronski (@BillSkowronski) July 19, 2016
Bill agrees that providing value is key. The value you give to your audience matters more than how often you post.
A4. Find out what your balance should be by watching metrics. No need to post more if it doesn’t generate anything. #contentwritingchat
— BrandBlox (@BrandBloxNet) July 19, 2016
Keep an eye on your metrics to see how well your tweets are performing. You can do this by checking Twitter Analytics. Is your audience engaging with all the tweets you’re posting?
As David said, make sure you re-post content for different time zones. Keep in mind that your followers are likely located all over the world. You don’t want them to miss anything by limiting your posts to a certain chunk of the day.
A4: Honestly, you should post the amount that feels right to you & your audience. There’s not a single magic # for all. #contentwritingchat
— MioDatos (@MioDatos) July 19, 2016
Do what feels right for you and your audience. There isn’t a magic number that works for everyone.
A4) Experiment! Find your peak times and tweet most then. Don’t be afraid to talk if you have something to say #ContentWritingChat
— Tim Fawkes (@Tim_Fawkes) July 19, 2016
Tim said you should experiment with your posting schedule. Find your peak times for posting and tweet the most during that time. If you have something to say, don’t be afraid to share.
A4. Find out when your audience is most active on Twitter, then plan your posts around that. #contentwritingchat
— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) July 19, 2016
Kristen also recommends taking advantage of your peak posting times. Find out when your audience is most active on Twitter and schedule your posts around those times.
@writingchat Q4: Daily. It’s important to know your audience. Learn when & how often they’re looking to engage with you. #ContentWritingChat
— Jessy (@jessyh2609) July 19, 2016
Make sure you’re posting daily. You should create a schedule and stick to it.
Consider your industry and your community. They’ll respond to things differently than another online community.
A4) I usually schedule 5-7 a day and then mix in live tweets and live interaction #ContentWritingChat
— Nick Rishwain (@expertsdotcomvp) July 19, 2016
For Nick, he likes to schedule 5-7 tweets per day. He mixes that up with live interaction with his audience.
A4. I think the most important thing is to engage rather than just post about yourself. Have conversations. Be polite. #ContentWritingChat
— Jorgenson Lockers (@JorgensonLocker) July 19, 2016
Remember that social media isn’t just about talking about yourself or your business. You should also make sure you’re engaging with your audience and having conversations.
Q5: How important are hashtags on Twitter? What can they help you do?
Are you using hashtags regularly on Twitter? You should be! A relevant hashtag can help you expand your reach on the social media platform. Check out these tips:
A5: Hashtags are important because they help you find tweets using a relevant keyword(s). #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
Madalyn knows hashtags are great for finding tweets using a relevant keyword. They’ll help you to connect with your audience and others who are interested in what you’re sharing.
A5) Relevant hashtags give your tweet wings! Targets it to an audience, extends it’s life and makes it discoverable. #contentwritingchat
— Jim Carter (@MSLJim) July 19, 2016
Jim said relevant hashtags give your tweet wings. Hashtags allow you to target your content to a specific audience, helps to extend its life, and makes your post more discoverable.
#ContentWritingChat A5: Hashtags are vital! They help people find conversations about your industry & organically grow your following.
— New Jupiter Media (@NewJupiterMedia) July 19, 2016
Hashtags are a must if you want people to find what you’re posting. They can help you to grow your following organically.
A5) Hashtags connect you to people who are interested in what you’re saying. They enable amazing chats like this too! #ContentWritingChat
— Tim Fawkes (@Tim_Fawkes) July 19, 2016
Tim said hashtags can help connect you to others who are interested in what you’re saying. They also help us to have amazing Twitter chats, just like #ContentWritingChat!
A5: Hashtags are essential but many times overdone. Two tops per tweet and in your bio. Anymore and it looks messy. #contentwritingchat
— Chris Christensen (@christensen143) July 19, 2016
As Chris said, hashtags are essential but it is possible to overdo it. Limit yourself to two hashtags per tweet.
A5: Hashtags can be very powerful! But only use ones that make sense and don’t go overboard with them. #contentwritingchat
— Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) July 19, 2016
Use hashtags that are relevant to your audience and the content you’re sharing. Don’t go overboard either. Twitter is not the place for it!
Q5: Hashtags are pretty vital, since they help ensure your post reaches your target audience, & a wider range of people. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexia P. Bullard (@ap_bullard) July 19, 2016
Alexia said hashtags are vital for making sure your content reaches your target audience.
@ExpWriters A5 – Relevant hashtags reach an audience that may not be following you yet. I use hashtagify.me to research. #ContentWritingChat
— globalHMA (@globalHMA) July 19, 2016
Relevant hashtags will help new people discover you. Try a tool like hashtagify.me to find the right ones for you.
Think of hashtags as search keywords to help your content be seen.
A5: Hashtags are super important for awareness, relationship building & engaging with your community #ContentWritingChat@writingchat
— Zola Creative (@ZolaCreative) July 19, 2016
Hashtags can help you generate brand awareness, plus help you build relationships with your community.
A5. We do hashtag research to keep a bank of approved hashtags and keep them in order of possible impressions. #contentwritingchat
— BrandBlox (@BrandBloxNet) July 19, 2016
Great tip! Do some hashtag research and find ones that are relevant to your audience. Save them all by order of possible impressions and refer to them when scheduling your posts.
Q6: How can you take advantage of Twitter’s features such as Analytics and Lists?
Twitter Analytics and Lists are great tools to utilize if you really want to make the most of Twitter. Here are some great tips from Tuesday’s chat:
If you haven’t used Twitter Analytics yet, you can access yours at the link Madalyn shared.
A6: I recommend viewing your Twitter analytics every month so you can see what’s working best. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
A6: Twitter lists help you cut through the noise and see the most important tweets. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
Madalyn recommends checking out your analytics every month so you can see what’s working best. Which posts are resonating with your audience? Which ones didn’t perform as well as you’d hoped?
For lists, she feels they help you cut through the noise to see the most important tweets. Carefully curate your lists so you see just the updates you’re truly interested in.
A6) Twitter analytics help you learn who your audience is (and isn’t) and what they like (and don’t like) – imperative! #ContentWritingChat
— Ellie Hubble (@ellie_hubble) July 19, 2016
As Ellie said, you can get insight into what your audience likes and doesn’t like when it comes to your posts.
A6: b) Tweets can also get lost in a user’s feed pretty easily. Analytics can show the best times for you to tweet. #contentwritingchat
— MioDatos (@MioDatos) July 19, 2016
Analytics can help you determine your best times to tweet. You can schedule your most important posts around these times for an increase in engagement.
Your analytics will give you insight into what’s working for you and what’s not. The metrics you see can help guide your social media strategy and set up up for success.
Varun knows lists are great for monitoring relevant and important accounts. You won’t miss a thing if you keep your lists in order.
A6: Twitter lists when combined with Tweetdeck make sure you never miss a thing. I would be lost without this combo #contentwritingchat
— Andy Drinkwater (@iqseo) July 19, 2016
As Andy said, TweetDeck is a great tool to use if you want to stay updated with your lists. The columns TweetDeck provides makes it easy to see what everyone is sharing. You’ll never miss a thing!
Q7: How can you write a targeted Twitter bio that earns more followers?
The bio you include on your Twitter profile is so important. It can make or break whether or not someone chooses to follow you. Take a look at these tips to ensure you maximize the characters you have for an amazing bio:
A7: Make your Twitter bio stand out. Be compelling. Be descriptive. Tell your story. #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
A7: People will look at your Twitter bio and decide in seconds if you are worthy to follow. Be worthy! #ContentWritingChat
— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) July 19, 2016
Madalyn’s advice is to be compelling and descriptive. Use your bio to tell your story. It can play a deciding factor in whether or not someone follows you, so you better make sure it’s a good one.
A7. Use your bio to tell a story about you: what you do and why you do it. #ContentWritingChat
— Bourbon & Honey (@BrittanyBrander) July 19, 2016
Brittany said you should tell people what you do and why you do it.
Sarah recommends stating your mission, describing who you are, and how you can add value to your audience. Don’t forget you have to do all of that in only a few characters.
A7) Brands should use some (relevant!) hashtags, & summarise their USP. The character limit forces you to be creative #ContentWritingChat
— Tim Fawkes (@Tim_Fawkes) July 19, 2016
Tim said to use relevant hashtags in your bio and summarize your unique selling point.
A7 Be short, precise, what, where, why. Location, website. And plz, include your real name if ur handle does not say it #ContentWritingChat
— Zala Bricelj (@ZalkaB) July 19, 2016
Zala said to keep it short and precise. You should share what you’re doing and why. Make sure you’ve also included your location and a link to your website. She said if your handle doesn’t include your real name, you should add it to your bio.
In response to Kristen, Madalyn said she loves pinned tweets. The pinned tweet is prime real estate on your profile and you want to take advantage of it. Pin something you want to receive extra attention.
A8: @ellie_hubble Twitter continues to provide great ways for us to market. It will keep growing. Use the new features! #ContentWritingChat
She thinks Twitter ads are hit or miss, but that they’re worth trying out. If you’re thinking about using them, just give it a go and see how it works for you. Everyone has a different experience. We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing. Follow @ExpWriters to stay updated on our new topics and guests!
