Crafting The Perfect Social Media Post

What does the perfect social media post contain? I have found that including these three key elements ensures you can achieve perfection every time.

A Visually Appealing Graphic, Image or Video

The option to post without a visual asset does exist (on most platforms), but I’ll never use it and neither should you. According to Kissmetrics, content with relevant images gets 94% more views than content without relevant images.

If that incredible stat weren’t enough to convince you, keep in mind that a well-designed asset can be the difference between standing out and getting lost.

Below is an ad that illustrates this point very well. The simple text catches your eye much more effectively than the headline or website title, doesn’t it? Had they just used another sleek home image (with no text), I likely would have scrolled right past it.

Not sure how to create relevant visual assets? Focus on simplicity and sticking to designs that enhance (not contrast) your brand. Tutorials from sites like Canva are very helpful for beginners.

A Direct Call-To-Action

Not all posts should blatantly promote your product or service. The 5:1 rule exists for good reason! However, much of the best promotion is done subtly.

Each post is an opportunity to build brand loyalty, drive website traffic, grow your email list, and so on. Of course you shouldn’t be promoting the 20% off sale in every post, but you can promote your brand in every post. To do this without becoming redundant, consider the following non-product/service related CTAs:

• Grab this free list of 3 ways to grow your Instagram conversions today! www.website.com | This drives traffic, provides value and increases credibility without trying to sell something.
• It’s no wonder the XXL Spicy Oyster Shooters are our best seller…just look at them! Are you brave enough to try one? www.website.com | This promotes a dish, invites engagement and offers a way to visit the website without ever saying “Come eat this”.
• Tag a loved one who deserves something special this holiday season and help us give away these $25 Starbucks gift cards! Learn more about spreading holiday cheer: www.website.com | Requiring a tag or share increases exposure for the brand significantly and adding the website offers a way to get more info without being pushy.

Include Your Website, Please!

You may have noticed that all the samples above include a link. If you’re trying to sell something with your social media presence, there is never a reason to exclude a link to your website.

It’s one of the most common mistakes I see and it’s also the easiest one to change.

Yes, it is true that people can click the post, go to your Facebook Page, search around for your website, and get there that way. It’s also true that most people won’t spend the time doing that unless they’re actively seeking your product. Even then, you need to create as few barriers as possible (aka – the less clicks, the better).

Take it up a notch by creating dedicated links for products and services you’re promoting. Specifically, if you are offering 20% off event planning services in January, create a link that takes the user directly to that offer. You can drop them on your homepage and hope they find it before they get distracted, but why would you?

Crafting The Perfect Social Media Post

These three elements help increase reach, traffic and conversions time and time again! I hope you find them valuable and I’d love to hear your thoughts on “the perfect post”.

For more on social media marketing trends, keep up with me @bellestrategies.

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Belle Strategies is a boutique Social Media Marketing company based in South Carolina. Our team mixes innovative strategies with attention to detail for an online presence that produces tangible results. For assistance growing your brand on social media, contact us or find me on social media @rachelcreveling.