You might read that title and wonder how a toddler compares to social media...let me explain.
My son is very busy. He never stops and has to be monitored 24/7. If I let him out of my sight for a second, he will probably hurt himself, or get into something that he is not supposed to. If I am not playing with him, or entertaining him, he will get bored and play with something else...or look for Dad.
I have noticed that if he is watching something colorful, like Mickey Mouse or some other cartoon, he will stay in one room and pay 100% attention to the show. I have also learned that, with him, it’s all about timing. If it is 20 minutes until nap time, nothing I do is going to keep his interest or make him happy. I have to catch him at just the right time, to have a happy camper who cares about what I am saying.
So what do toddlers have to do with social media?
Everything. I am not trying to compare grown adults to toddlers, but we are all visual people. If something looks entertaining to us, we watch it. If it bores us, we are probably going to ignore it and move on to something else that does the job. When it comes to social media, people want to read or watch things that make them say to themselves, “Wow, that looks interesting!” As brands, we have to delight and entertain. We need to develop content that is so appealing that people actually want to read what we’re sharing.
1. Pictures work wonders.
We, as well as toddlers, like pictures. On Facebook, for example, pictures are key. With a good picture, you increase the probability of shares or “likes” (ultimately, increasing your reach). Like I said, we are visual people. Sometimes, pictures tell the whole story. If they don’t, they give you a good idea of what you're about to read, and may even help you base your decision on if you will read it.
2. Pay attention to your audience.
You have to pay attention to your followers. If you aren’t communicating with them, on a regular basis, they may move on to someone who will. If you are keeping a friendly relationship with your customers, they will remember and care about you. When they remember and care about you, now you’ve got brand ambassadors and advocates-- They may even spread the word about you, or share the information you shared, leading to even more followers.
3. It’s all about timing.
Social Media, much like my toddler, is about timing. Know your audience, and know what they’re doing and when. For example, if you’re a B2B Organization, and you’re sending things out in the middle of that night, you may not be reaching your target audience. They’re not engaged, at that time. You have to catch them at just the right time.
These tips are all things I’ve learned, by watching my one year old son. Did I miss anything? What would you add to this list?
