What makes people follow, favorite, click, and retweet?
This post again updates one I did two years ago–a generation or more in social media right? Info comes from a Random Penguin author tutorial, among other places.
What Makes the Best Social Media Post…
1. Funny
is good.
2. Informative
ditto.
3. Images
are retweeted 94% more often (no that’s not the funny part of this). Images catch an eye on Facebook, too. And if you aren’t using images on Instagram and Pinterest, of course you aren’t using them at all!
Better than images? Video. Social media loves video.
4. Be genuine and intimate
What does this mean? Well, the webinar suggested sharing behind the scenes as you wait to go on the Today Show.
I just want to say that (1) If you’re going on the Today Show, you probably need to be reading something about how to put on tv makeup rather than this post; and (2) If I’m ever going on the Today Show and calm enough to remember to Selfie and Tweet on my way in … that’s probably an imposter Meg.
…and in the weeds
5. Size matters
On Twitter, you get 140 characters, but 120-130 is ideal. Ok to abrve8. On Facebook, if you can write a long post that is interesting enough to get folks to want to “see more,” it improves your post’s visibility
6. People like to be asked
So polish up that question mark.
7. No one likes a whiner
Well, almost no one. And no one likes a bore. Not even those few folks who don’t mind whiners.
8. Ring your own bell
Surprisingly, people like a self-promoter. (I confess, I did consider omitting this.)
I’m testing the boundaries with the self-promotion thing with the first review for The Race for Paris (HarperCollins, Aug 11). What do you think?
9. A Random Thought
People like random thoughts.
10. #Don’t #overuse #hashtags
But DO use them. You can reach new folks if you’re funny and informative with just a hashtag or two. More than that looks spammy. Some hashtags to consider if you’re an author: #amwriting #amreading #FridayReads #MondayMotivations and anything that’s trending that interests you.
11. Join the Conversation
Chat with friends and jump into conversations where appropriate–readers like to eavesdrop on conversations of folks they follow, but @mention folks who aren’t friends @your own risk.*
12. When to Post?
If you have a Facebook fan page, you can look at insights to see when your fans are most likely on. Post at the beginning of the longest, best stretch for maximum reach.
Tweets on weekends and afternoons get more response than at other times–although afternoon Pacific time is, of course, evening on the East Coast, and even later in Britain, and this is a global thing, right?
13. Imbed links in the middle
They get more clicks that those else-post.
14. Consider unlinking your social media
Different platforms call for different content, and autopushing one to the other doesn’t always work. For example, Facebook links are 47% less likely to be retweeted than other links. But if you’re short on time (aren’t we all), sometimes a pushed post is better than none at all.
15. CTAs work
If you don’t know what a CTA is, well I didn’t either. It is, for example “RT this if you like to read the end of a book 1st, favorite if that idea makes you squirm.” But don’t overuse this one!
16. Choose your words carefully
… lest you use one that followers decidedly don’t like, as all the social platform algorithms look at the words you use.
17. Include links to Your Presence on Social Media on Your Website and Elsewhere
If you’re on social media, presumably you do want to be found!
OK, how does this all translate into selling books?
Well, your guess is as good as mine. But I go by the theory that anyone who has connected with me and, hopefully, found my posts informative and/or funny (if somewhat self-promoting), is more likely to pick up a book with my name on it and give it a try.
Andf you found this helpful, please do use the twitter link below! I’m @MegWClayton, and I do retweet! – Meg
