What to post on social media

Types of Social Posts 

Last week we began to explore best practices for taking action & promoting your business on social media. 
Part of that was starting to consider that we need to do a mixture of posts. Not all sales based & not all tips.

This week I wanted to take you through the types of posts you should be sharing on social media & how to choose the best mix for you.

(The brilliant thing about the list I will be sharing with you, is that you can use it everywhere from facebook to twitter).

Post Categories
1. Content
2. Sales
3. Inspirational
4. Behind the scenes
5. Involvement posts

Within each of the above categories, there are a number of types of posts. After all every single one of our businesses is different. Let's look at each category now and some examples:

1. Content Posts
For this type of post you demonstrate your skills, knowledge & give value to your audience. You can share things such as:

• Tips
• Blogs
• Awards
• Content you have created elsewhere

Some examples of these posts can be found below:

2. Sales Posts
For this type of post you will share things that are related to any products, services or offers. Some types of sales posts are:

• Results- Sharing the results that your customers have had
• Questions- Asking if your audience want a solution you are offering
• Stories- Sharing before and after stories from you or your client
• Proof- Showing results you have created for others, or proof that you know what you are doing.

The trick with sales posts is to make sure that you always include a link or call to action to make sure your audience can take action.

3. Inspirational Posts
For this type of post you are trying to inspire your audience. Examples of inspirational posts are:

• Affirmations
• Inspirational Quotes
• Inspirational Stories
• Inspirational Images​

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Inspirational posts can be from third parties.

4. Behind the Scenes Posts
For this category of posts the key is to show what makes you and your business from your competitors. You may offer exactly the same products or service as your competitor but you are the reason people will choose you over someone else.

Nowadays your audience wants to see the human side of business as this is what they relate too. And remember people buy from people they like. Share things to give them a reason to like or love you. 
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Examples of behind the scene posts include:

• Your beliefs
• Your motivations
• Your values
• What experiences you have
• How you are feeling

Behind the scenes posts can make everyone feel awkward, especially if you are an introvert or private person like me.
​Remember you are in control.
If you don't want to show your kids, or have private things that you don't want to share- simply don't. 
Go with your instincts and share what you are comfortable with.

Here are some of my behind the scenes posts:

5. Involvement Posts
For this category of posts you will be sharing things that interest your audience and encourage them to interact. Remember social media is social. Examples of involvement posts include:

• Asking questions
• Polls
• Posts from other people that will encourage discussion
• Emotive statements to instigate a reaction
• ​Funny posts

What should I choose?
Now you understand the types of social posts that you can put out there, you now have to choose the best mix of posts for you.

There is no magic formula.

Every single one of our businesses are different. Each of us will find some posts better than others.
To begin with choose one type of post from each of the below categories & then choose an additional one or two types of posts. 

Content Posts

• Tips
• Blogs
• Awards
• Content you have created elsewhere

Sales Posts

• Results
• Questions
• Stories
• Proof

Inspirational Posts

• Affirmations
• Inspirational Quotes
• Inspirational Stories
• Inspirational Images​

Behind the Scenes Posts

• Your beliefs
• Your motivations
• Your values
• What experiences you have
• How you are feeling

Involvement Posts

• Asking questions
• Polls
• Posts which encourage discussion
• Emotive statements 
• ​Funny posts

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You can select the ones that jump out at you, or see what works well for your competitors.

For 1 month use this combination of posts & test them. See what works well, what you feel comfortable using and what doesn't work so well. Replace or swap the posts you need too.
Once you have 5/6 types of posts that work well, you can always add more in and experiment with other types.

I have known businesses who have just focused on sharing inspirational quotes and succeeded. 

(And remember to make sure that you share 1 selling related post in every 4 posts you publish)

I hope this has helped you understand a little more about creating a winning combination of posts for your social media profiles. 
I would love to know what works well for you?

Remember using the right combination will help you promote your business. But to make marketing really work for you, you must have the complete marketing magic not just promotion. More on this next week.

Carrie x