February 7, 2015
We've all heard that old adage about how "less is more" right? When it comes to business Facebook posts, there's a lesson to be learned. In this article we'll explore some of the key reasons to keep your social media posts short, direct and effective, while making them as interesting and personally engaging as possible.
One of the most common mistakes businesses make when posting to Facebook, is trying to tell complex stories to an audience that is pressed for time. Moreover, many companies and organizations forget that they're not the only posts being read. On any given day, your Facebook fans are subjected to dozens upon dozens of promotional posts. And despite how important you feel your message is, it's wise to see things from their perspective. Recommended News Feed image size: 1,200 x 900 pixels
► Click here to view Facebooks image guidelines
Be Direct and Avoid Fluff
While it's tempting to write a clever into paragraph to your post, it could also be costly. It's easy to lose the interest of your audience, especially on Facebook, if you get too wordy or verbose in your daily postings. Instead, take a more direct approach. If you're offering a sale or special promo, be sure to mention it in the opening line. If you're having an event, make mention of the details and dates right away. This will appeal to their realistic interests without losing them in pointless verbiage.
Over-posting can Be Detrimental
There are scores of companies out there who have a strict policy on the frequency of their Facebook business posts. Some post daily like clockwork, others post every three to four hours. And while yes, consistency is noble, it's more important to know when to give your fans a break. If you're constantly posting things they have little interest in, they may end up overlooking the promotions that are most appealing, or un-liking you altogether. Study your audience and learn what pattern of frequency they respond most favorably to. Depending on your industry, if your a Roofing company, don't post daily, that will cause more people to hide and unlike your page... roofing is not fun! if you have a news website, posting multiple times per day is more natural to do.
Don't Overlook the Power of Hashtags #
Using hashtags (#) is one of the most effective, trending and addictively popular ways to get others engaged in topics that you've covered in your Facebook post. Interestingly enough, they're also one of the most commonly misunderstood and misused. As a rule of thumb, make sure that your hashtags are directly related to the core topic you're discussing, and be sure to write them out as one word.
If the New York Yankees made a post about Derek Jeter and hashtagged #jeter and you made a post with the hashtag #jeter, when someone clicks the #hashtag from the New York Yankees post, your post has a chance of displaying because of the common hashtag. Think of a hashtag like a keyword, just don't spam them. More on Hastags from Facebooks Guidelines here.
If you're a business in need of a stronger social media presence, Sam Pizzo offers a full spectrum of services for businesses of all sizes. This includes complete customized Facebook business pages, SEO and content writing for all social media platforms.
