Social Media Prompts & Some Sound Advice
Keeping up with social media can be a total drag. This week we pooled our collective knowledge of all things social and tried to create some inspiration for topics.
Of course, in true Cobblers style, the topic meandered a bit, so we also covered some plain ole good advice for your social media.
First, before posting, ask yourself, “Is it entertaining, helpful, or showcasing your work?” This came from a podcast from Marc Scott that one of our Cobblers, Vanessa from Vanessa Jones Voices heard over the weekend. (Give it a listen while you’re folding laundry or hitting the treadmill, it’s worth the time.)
We also kept coming back to the idea of being genuine. The more human you are, the more engagement you’ll get from your followers (and the better the algorithm will treat you.) But also, if a post isn’t really your style or is recycled without input from you, it comes off as insincere. You don’t have to post, but you really shouldn’t just post by rote.
Try to include a photo for better algorithmic ranking or, better yet, post a video.
Know your limits! Social media can be a time-consuming always, hungry monster. Feed it when you can, but don’t do so at the expense of your health, time, and client work.
Consider a theme for the year or the month. Even better, if you do a word for the year (as some of our Cobblers do) try tying it to your posts.
Tune into the zeitgeist. Are more people thinking about hot chocolate this time of year rather than lemonade? In January, there is a collective song about fresh starts; tap into that. Is there a meme that “slaps” that you could apply to your business in a unique way.
And when you tune into the zeitgeist, look around and see if there is a reason you might want to hold a post till a more appropriate time. Don’t post a photo of you full-on Scrooge McDucking in a gold-filled pool just after a company makes major layoffs or the unemployment rates tank. Always read the room before posting.
You can always ask for engagement, but don’t wear out your social capital. A good rule of thumb is the 80/20 rule. Only ask for engagement 20% of the time, and you’re unlikely to wear out your followers.
Don’t be afraid to delete posts or unfollow/block fans. You are human and can make mistakes, and you do not have to have negative or mean people on your platforms.
Know your audience and your tone. Don’t post to LinkedIn what would be better on Facebook.
And now here are some prompts from our conversation that can help you come up with posts. Don’t forget you can use these more than once!
For example you can take a trip around town and visit some cool local businesses, then share how much you like them. Do this once a month, and that’s 12 posts in the bag! (Do remember to do this authentically. Posting about a business that may or may not want to be tied to your brand can eliminate your social capital in real life, as well as online.)
Share a podcast, playlist, or youtube video you like
Show the “Human side” of your work - like bloopers or IRL situations of you going about your work. What does it take to do the work you do?
Share a quote from people you actually know, or situations you have been in. Do avoid recycling famous quotes unless they truly, truly, truly speak to you.
Holiday-based posts, thankful at Thanksgiving. Earth day post? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Have you cleaned out your inbox/project backlog/schedule or finished a big project - share it!
New gear, new tech, or unboxing review
Show how you run your day or your workflow
Anecdotes from clients or stories from your work
Tell a story that impacted you or your work (like your first client)
Is there a book your clients or other people in your industry should read?
What’s the biggest misconception about what you do?
What’s a counterintuitive thing about your business?
Share three facts about what you do.
What’s your mission? How do you support it through your work?
New habit/skill you are bringing to your business
What do you predict your business will be doing in 12 months?
How do you give your clients hope?
What’s a big audacious goal you have for your business?
What are common misconceptions about what you do?
What are the biggest reasons clients don’t get the results they want?
Tell about a moment that deeply affected your business and how your business changed.
How do you deal with being stuck?
What’s something you’ve done that you’re really proud of this year?
What’s your business cycle? Bookkeepers and accountants have a predictable cycle, but it’s a good bet you do too.
Shout out to your business friends and other small businesses in your community.
What are some easy things clients or potential clients can do to increase their success? Use your personal expertise. What bookkeeping they could do, what’s a design thing, what’s a safety thing. Share your knowledge.
Who do you admire, professionally or personally?
Do you have a personal motto? (If not, you can post about why not!)
What’s a question you wish people would ask you?
What’s something your industry could do better?
What’s the project you’ve worked on that made you laugh the most?
What makes a great customer/client for you?
Tell a story about someone you helped in the past month or two.
Do you have a passion project? Share it!
Where do you volunteer time or money locally?
If you win an award, you should share it. (This is great on LinkedIn, particularly.)
What’s a fun fact about your business
What did you want to be when you grew up? How does it tie to your work?
What’s your favorite office lunch or snack?
What technology is essential to your business?
Share your Spotify playlist for focus mode or creative work (it’s not cheating if you have to curate it a little bit.)
What makes you say no to a potential client?
Why do you keep the office hours you do?
Who in your circle is doing something cool you could share?
Do you have a kick-ass vendor?
I’m sure we could develop more, but 45 seems like a great place to start!