Questions about what to post?

[massageblog]

At the Alliance For Massage Therapy Education Conference in Tucson, I shared social media strategies for Facebook, Linked In and You Tube.* We had lots of class discussion about utilizing these tools, how, why,* and strategies for them.* One of questions that we needed additional help was what to post.* Specifically class participates wanted some examples of the types of things to post.* Below I will share some ways to format your posts that give you the best opportunity to engage with your fans. Of course these are suggestions, you will need to tailor them to your own business.
Use fill in the blank format:

• Massage & Relaxing go together like french fries & ketchup, flip flops & summer, lightening bugs & July and (fill in the blank) you & ______

Use questions to engage with your customers:

• What’s in your weekend survival kit?
• How do you stay cool during the summer?
• What is your favorite way to wind down after a long week/day?
• If you could do anything you want for a living what would it be?
• Are you sick and tired of always being sick and tired of your current job?
• What was the worst job you ever had?* What is the best job you ever had?
• Wanna new career choice?

Use a polling question to gather research ideas:

• We’ve noticed that our fans love massage in various forms…what is your favorite

• Deep Tissue – the deeper the better
• Hot Stone Massage
• Nice relaxing massage
• Knot’s away – oh my aching neck
• Issues in Tissues someone get the Massage Cups!

• Remember back to your first massage what were your thoughts…
• • OMG do I have to get naked?
  • Must relax, must relax, must relax…
  • Oh no, did I remember to shave my legs?
  • I bet I could do this for a living.

Use the story method

• Tell us your funniest massage moment
• Share what you thought about massage before you had your first one
• Tell us about your first massage, how did it make you feel?
• Why did you choose massage as a career?
• What 3 words describe massage to you?

Use a post to drive up likes on a post

• Click “Like†if you are having a massage this week!
• Click “like†if you enjoy a career in massage
• Click “like†if you want to be a massage therapist
• Click “like†if you want to be your own boss!

Use posts to to give your community inspiring quotes and things to do

• Thank an Educator!* Oct 5th is World Teacher’s Day.* This month send a note of thanks to a Massage Educator who made a difference in your life?

These are meant to give your creativity a “jump startâ€, have fun, set your objectives of what you want to achieve, be consistent and you should achieve your desired results.
Now, let’s talk about some of the “unwritten rules†that you can use to guide social media postings.* Below are good general rules that you may find you need to adjust the way you currently do your posting to engage your audience.

• Post every day.* This is especially important the more fans/followers/subscribers that you have.* I know it seems excessive to some of you but as people make more friends and “like†more posts, your posts may be missed if you are not consistently providing information.* If you are only posting once or twice a week then your community will probably miss one or more of the posts.* Think of your posts like fresh produce in a grocery store.* There’s a “sell by†date on every message– and it’s today!* If you’re not delivering something new on a regular basis, other messages are going to replace yours on the shelves!*** Make sure you are varying your posts and also watch your insights to see what works best for your community.

• Engaging Content.* Once you get found, engage with your customers on their terms.* Start by offering insightful information, expert perspective, recommendations, news, helpful tips, links to articles that your audience will “like†and “shareâ€* and ask engaging questions.* Build relationships with your community, earn their trust so you can earn the right to do business with them.* Be consistent and continue to engage and follow up with them. * Like their comments and respond to them in a timely fashion.* Continue to provide valuable information. * Because when you make your posts about your audience and what they need rather than selling, you will develop a deeper relationship.

• Include a Call To Action (CTA).* Remember to tell your audience what you expect them to do.* For instance “click the like or comment on the postâ€.*** Share this with your friends.* Watch this video.* Go to our website.

• Never oversell or undersell.* No one likes the constant promoter.* Also, you do need to promote occasionally.* Use the 80-20 rule of sales message vs content/connection posts.*** If you are posting 5-7 times a week make sure at least 1 of those includes an opportunity to purchase a product or service from you.

• Keep it Social!* You are working within a social community.* Most of the people are using these tools because they want more FUN in their lives.* Remember to “let your corporate hair down†so to speak.* That is not to say you shouldn’t stay true to your brand but think of ways to entertain your audience.

Keep in mind these rules are just a starting place.* Ultimately you have to do what works for you and your business.* And finally if you found this information to be helpful, please share this blog with your friends.* If you ever find yourself needing more information about online marketing be sure to send me a message:* sbeck@srbsolutions.net
All my best,
Stephanie Beck
SRB Solutions.net – One Source with Multiple Solutions for your online business