By Danielle Mellema, Digital Content Manager, Chief Ghostwriter

Are you stuck in a social media content rut?

Just like a friend who spends so much time talking about themselves but rarely asks how you’re doing, filling your social media feed with content that only serves you or your organization but not your audience is not going to lead to a lasting relationship.

You need to think about what kind of content your audience wants to engage with. And if you’ve made it a habit to post only about your own products, news, promotions, etc., then the only way to find out what might catch your audience’s attention is to mix it up, and pay attention to what works—for you and for them! 

Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

Ask the audience

Ask your followers for input on something that actually has stakes—next week’s dinner special at your restaurant or which logo they like better for your next event, for example. Many social media platforms have polling or rating applications built right in, but if that seems too complicated, the good old fashioned comments section will get the job done.

Tell a story

Have you had a particularly meaningful interaction with a customer recently? Or maybe one of your employees has an inspiring reason they come to work each day, or perhaps you’ve seen some amazing changes to the neighborhood your business is located in over the years you’ve been operating there? Tell your audience about it! This is a great opportunity to introduce video into the mix if writing it out isn’t a viable option.

Keep it real

Hey, we get it. Stock photos are readily available, and not all services or products are easy to capture in a photo. If you rely heavily on stock photos or video, try incorporating a few candid ones every once in a while.

Give shoutouts

Praise your employees. Welcome new members or B2B customers. Thank the business in the office space above you for being a good upstairs neighbor and not stomping around the office or overflowing the bathroom sink. Tag people or companies whenever you can or email them to make sure they know you mentioned them on your social media. Who knows—maybe they’ll share your post with their audience and expand your reach!

Share a peek at your industry

Try sharing the occasional news article, interesting infographic, or your own commentary on trends in your industry. This sets you apart as more than just one brand among many similar ones, but a thought leader and an organization who believes that “a rising tide lifts all boats.”

Play a game

From quiz creators to crossword generators, there are tons of free tools online that can create a fun way for your audience to engage. Whether it’s a quiz to find out your brand superpower (ahem, that was us!) or a word search featuring your customers’ most beloved menu items, making it playful can be really memorable in feeds full of the same-old-same.

Teach your audience something

Does the building or neighborhood your business is in have a cool history? Is there a science to how you set your tables or arrange your window displays? Do you have tips for beginners in your field? Humans are inherent learners, so share the love!

At its heart, social media is about connecting people. If you’re ready to go beyond sharing pictures and status updates but need a little help to get there, our collaborative done-for-you social media posting service might be just what you need to help transform your social media platforms into an incredibly powerful marketing tool.