6 steps to creating engaging content for Social Media

What is the best way to engage people to your social media updates? Simple. Offer something that is real.

In my 25 years in radio both on the air and as a manager and coach, it was my job to create interesting content for my listeners. Each day prior to a 5 or 6 hour shift, I would spend approximately 2 hours to prepare my show with relevant information. And where do you suppose I gathered this information? By spending more time reading newspapers, watching TV shows, listening to the other radio stations and paying attention to what my friends and society were talking about.

The same principles should apply to you when you are preparing to post content on your social media sites.

Here are 5 easy steps to think about in the creation of engaging content for your sites.
1) "What's in it for me?". Think of content that reflects the wants and needs of the reader - not of yourself.
2) Celebrate your successes. Go ahead, brag about a success story but remember point number one just above; it is not all about you...there has to be a pay off for the reader.
3) Be current and relevant. Talk about your favorite television show or favorite newspaper columnist. It demonstrates that you are plugged-in to the real world.
4) Talk about other people. In radio we called this a 'shout-out'. Mention people you met today in person or online. Use their online name (for Twitter).
5) Be real. Your close friends know the real you. Now here is your opportunity for the online world to get to know the real you as well. Talk about things that matter in your personal life.

Here is one more.
6) Never be boring. A good friend and mentor named Valerie Geller has been coaching top media talent around the globe for years. This one point has always resonated with me and with the thousands of personalities that she has worked with. Never be boring.

Did you find these tips helpful? Once you employ even a few of these suggestions, I am sure your readers will find you more engaging and will return to your website, blog or social media site more often.

-Darren
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Is anybody out there

The answer is yes.
Ipsos Reid confirms in a Canadian study released October 27, 2009, 82% of all Canadians now have internet access at home.

From their media release:
“Even in difficult economic times, Canadians understand that having Internet access is essential in today’s society,” notes study author Mark Laver, Associate Vice President with Ipsos Reid. “Internet access is critical to finding employment, it can be used to save money, for paying bills, finding deals, and as a form of entertainment. It has become so important to the lives of Canadians, that in some areas of the country, Internet access is almost identical to home telephone access.”

The study found that access at home is almost universal for those under 55 years of age as 89% of those aged 18 to 34 and 87% of those aged 35 to 54 have Internet access at home. In comparison, only 69% of those aged 55+ have access at home.

Laver continues, “The older generation is the fastest growing segment of online users, quickly catching up to the younger generations in their adoption of the Internet. By comparison, in Q1, 2006 only one-half (57%) of those aged 55+ had Internet access.”

Everyday, more and more people are looking for you and your products. What does your on-line presence say about your product, your company, your business, your brand?

-Darren