Warning
Sorry for the dramatic title but this is important…
Before you publish another post on Facebook for your brand or business page, consider the following:
1. Mix it up
There is nothing worse than someone who only posts advertisements about their business… or the person who only post pictures and videos of cats… or the person who only talks about politics.
The point is people are more than one dimensional, so mix up your content to keep it fresh and keep people engaged.
We recommend the following content mix:
-25% Personal (Friends, Family, Fun)
-25% Hyper-Local (Things going on, causes, events etc)
-25% Industry / Business (News, Updates, Building credibility)
-25% Promotional (Something with a call to action)
2. Is it spelled correctly?
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be amazed at the number of spelling mistakes we encounter on social media in any given day. You probably see them too. There’s nothing worse than a misspelled word on a corporate Facebook page.
Before you post, proof and edit what you’ve written to make sure there are no spelling errors that need fixing.
3. Does it make sense?
Leaving out a word or phrase can change the meaning of what you are trying to say.
That’s why it’s so important to proof read and edit your Facebook content (see above).
Sometimes we can type something that sounds conversational and then things like tone and context don’t come across to readers.
In the world of social media, often a first impression is the only one you have. So don’t make the mistake of posting content that should have been proofed or edited.
4. Does it have purpose? (ie: Does anyone care?)
It’s not enough to simply use social media. You have to have purpose in all that you do.
Efforts aren’t going to bring results if they aren’t done according to a bigger plan. Think about what type of action you are trying to spur by what you are posting.
And don’t post things that no one cares about (like how you got to Aunt Ednas house and she left a big lipstick kiss mark on your cheek).
5. Does it fit with your brand identity?
Your brand is defined by the experience your customers have when engaging with you.
If you have a strong brand identity, your social media messaging will reflect that.
If you don’t have a strong brand identity, you should contact us!
6. Does it line up with your brand’s voice?
Just like your brand should have an identity, it should also have a voice.
This means that every message coming from your brand, from the corporate website down to the smallest piece of internal communication should be unified.
Social media will always be a bit more informal than other media channels, but your social media messages should still line up with the overall voice of your brand.
7. Does it pass the grandma test?
Meaning, if your grandma was in the room watching you post, would she approve?
Don’t do anything that would be offensive or harmful to others.
Even though Facebook now allows you to go back and edit past posts, you only get one chance at a first impression.
Don’t make the mistake of sharing content on Facebook that hurts your brand.
Hope this helps!
If you have questions, contact us: www.TheCommissionLab.com/Ask
Oliver & Sam
Co-Founders of The Commission Lab