Seven hot tips for writing engaging social media posts

So, you’ve been given the task of writing engaging posts for your company’s social profiles – where do you start?

Here are my top tips for creating compelling content that gets your business noticed.

1) Think social

The key to creating engaging social media posts is in the name.

It’s social.

Imagine chatting to colleagues around the coffee machine, or discussing new ideas with a prospective client over lunch.

Effective social media is a two-way dialogue, not a one-way monologue.

You want your audience to engage with your posts, so get curious, ask questions, seek feedback and opinions – even be provocative (within reason).

2) KISS

Readers are busy, so get to the point.

Short, simple sentences, human language, plain English – they’re all key to writing engaging social media posts that help your business cut through the communication clutter.

Remove redundant words such as very, really, that and just, and avoid jargon and abbreviations.

Aim to inform, entertain or inspire action, while keeping your name – or the name of your business – front of mind.

So remember: keep it simple, sweetheart.

3) Set the tone

If you’re used to writing for traditional channels you may feel comfortable with a certain level of formality – business speak, buzzwords and jargon – and a happy distance between you and your reader.

But stuffy, formal writing doesn’t work on social media. (I’d argue it doesn’t work full stop, but that’s a whole other post.)

Thinking of your writing as a chat with your dream client – not a group of people – will help you get the tone right.

Keep it light, informal and chatty. Imagine you’re addressing friends, rather than prospects.

Consider each post as a chance to build a relationship with your audience, rather than make sales.

4) Create shareable content

A successful social media profile is one that inspires engagement: shares, likes, comments and saves.

Valuable posts that are thought-provoking, informative and/or entertaining are more likely to be shared – and shares help to get your business noticed.

Win–win!

5) Pacify the punctuation pedants

The grammar police are more active on social media than anywhere else.

If you screw up your spelling, you’ll know about it!

If you’re unsure of the difference between affect/effect, principle/principal, bear/bare and other confusing words don’t worry – my Little Book of Confusables and The Little Book of Confusables 2 have your back.

Between them, they demystify 1,000+ misused words – and they’re guaranteed to make you laugh while you learn.

By checking your confusables, you won’t just avoid the wrath of the nit-picking word ninjas, you’ll learn something new for next time.

6) Say it loud

When I finish any copywriting job, from a complex website to a simple email, I read it out loud.

The process of reading aloud makes it easier to identify repetition, inconsistency and inaccuracy.

Alternatively, get your computer to read it to you.

If you’re working in Word, go to the Review menu and click Read Aloud, or dig into your computer’s accessibility settings.

Listening to an automated voice read your words out loud is a great way to spot repetition, clunky phrasing and spelling mistakes.

7) Sleep on it

Finally, it may sound like a luxury, but try to build time into your schedule to let your copy settle.

You’ll be surprised what you can pick up when you review what you’ve written with fresh eyes the following morning.

Start using these simple tips and watch your social media engagement soar.