Social media is a hungry beast. The social networks require constant feeding. They need to be thrown a diet of content that keeps readers and viewers coming back for more.
This is one of the biggest challenges if you want to do social at scale.
Finding ideas for content then leads to the resource intensive process of creating, publishing and promoting that content. Solving this problem is an integral part of your social media marketing strategy that meets the voracious demands of an information hungry world that is looking for content titillation is never ending.
We want to read and view knowledge and ideas on our PC’s, laptops, smart phones and the latest hot hardware platform… the tablet. We want information and we want it now! Mobile is now providing the freedom to get that content anywhere, anytime. Add a dose of the latest 4G mobile networks and the content is delivered at blistering speeds. No longer is it necessary to experience the “World Wide Wait” that made surfing the web a lesson in patience as videos stopped and started and dribbling downloads demanded a visit to the kettle corner for that cup of tea.
It also needs to be focused. Content about photography is irrelevant to the fashionistas and articles on fishing will not be read by the techies.
The Content Foundation
There are four main types of content that you should be considering creating:
- Educational content
- Informative content
- Entertaining content
- Inspiring content
Do all four well and you are on your way to producing advocates and ambassadors on Facebook, Twitter , Google+ and other platforms that will spread and share your content for free.
Content is Multi-Media
Content on a social web also needs to be multi-media rich these include media such as:
- Photos
- Videos
- Images
- Infographics
- Podcasts
- Screencasts
The rise of Pinterest and Instagram has fed the desire and demand for beautiful imagery and high definition photos. No longer are people happy with a wall of text that says “boring!!”
The problem that most companies and bloggers have is finding the inspiration to come up with the different types of content and information that keeps the blog fresh, the Twitter stream pumping and the Facebook page flowing. Ignore this and the crowds slowly disappear and the tribe loses interest.
So here are some ideas to create content that on a visual high speed web.
#1. Create Lists
I can hear some of you yawning. The reality is that in a time poor world giving people a list of things to do or 10 tips for creating a great video are the types of headlines and article that people click on. Packaging and chunking it down tells your reader you aren’t wasting tjeir time and it is easy to read and view.
Creating this type of content still works and works well.
Example: 10 Powerful Tips to Increase Fan Engagement on Facebook
#2. Go Negative
It is sad but true but most people prefer to hear bad news or know about things that they shouldn’t be doing or avoiding. Take the negative angle to a story or learning and be surprised by the traffic.
Example: Personal Branding on LinkedIn: 10 Mistakes to Avoid
#3. Infographics
The last two years has seen the rise of information that presents complex data and information with a combination of text and images. It’s called “Infographics”
Infographics is a media that has a propensity to get shared on Pinterest and passed around on Twitter.
Example: 23 Hints for Creating content that Google Loves – Infographic
#4. Curate content
Take a topic and find some of the best articles on it when you do a Google search. Package it up and serve it to your readers. You have saved them time and effort by putting all that information in one place.
They will love you a little bit more!!
#5. Provide “How To’s”
It never ceases to surprise me the appetite for simple instructions that take people by the hand and shows them where to start and the steps along the way. Provide a “how to” framework that makes it easy to read, understand and implement.
Your blog will be valued and admired.
Example: How to Verify Your Pinterest Account and why You Should
#6. News
People want to know what is happening whether it is in their industry, city or the world. Help them find it easily and quickly. Create, publish and promote this content fast. It has a nasty habit of becoming outdated and irrelevant very quickly!!
Get it right and the news break streams over the web in a torrent of tweets.
Huffington Post and Mashable are a success beacuse of this.
Example: Apple Makes Huge Announcement About Twitter
#7. Research
Provide research backed facts wrapped up in a well structured article whether it is a singular or multiple source and they are printed off (or emailed) and put in front of the managers and CEO’s eyeballs. If the university research says it is true… it is!!
Many people want proof before they make that first step of action.
Example: How 5 Prestige Brands Innovate and Market on Facebook
#8. Case Studies
Research is great but real world case studies are the real proof that it works. Provide a multiple list of case studies and it is lapped up and shared by your advocates on the social web.
Example: 5 Successful Facebook Marketing Campaigns – Case Studies
#9. Evergreen Content
The web demands fresh news and content very minute of every day. In this frenzy of informing it is often forgotten to tap into the power of content that is just as relevant in 2 years time as it is today. It is content that can be continued to be promoted and shared with your readers for a long time. Create content that is a framework or covers first principles and you will give it longevity and endurance.
Example: 10 Ways to Launch and Promote a product Using Social Media
#10. Images
Create content that takes screenshots or uses images to convey an idea, concept or story. It provides emtional impact and they get shared on Facebook more than any other content type. A tool that helps me do this is Snagit and it is now an indispensable part of my content creation and optimising toolkit.
Images can take your content from average to awesome!!
Example: A Powerful Two Step System to Increase the Value of Your Facebook Community
#11. Video
When creating a content you can share your story and ideas many ways but as online video now streams easily on the high speed internet it needs to be included in your content marketing mix. It can be a direct to camera video, a video capturing your screen (such as the Camtasia software) or it can be sourcing videos from YouTube that enhance your story.
#12. Slideshare
Slideshare is the YouTube for Powerpoint presentations.It is often underestimated as a means of making your content accessible and attractive. It is also a very visual platform that displays ideas and concepts quickly and easily. You can take your articles, research papers and blog posts and put them into a Powerpoint that can then be uploaded to Slideshare.
In the last year I have used it more extensively and views of my Slideshare account are now averaging from 25,000 to 35,000 views a month and total views are now over 330,000.
It is a format for your content that should be seriously considered.
Example: How to get Started with Social Media Marketing
#13. Top 10 Lists
People love to know who or what is on top in almost any category or sector that you care to name. Create content that display this and watch the traffic spike.
Example: 10 Top Pinterest Boards
#14. Tool or Application Reviews
Everyone is looking for better ways,tools and apps that make life easier in what is sometimes seen as a complicated web world. Make it easy for your readers to find and download the software.
Example: 10 Must have WordPress Plugins Every Blogger Should Know About
#15. Solving problems
Provide step by step instructions about the major issues that plague your industry. This content adds enormous value to your readers and great content creation is always about adding value.
Example: 20 ways to Increase Your Facebook Likes and Engagement
#16. Statistics and facts
Content that outlines the latest statistics and facts are always an option that produces clicks and shares. People are intrigued by the bigger and better and articles about this are always a hit.
Example: 72 Fascinating Social Media Marketing Facts and Statistics for 2012
#17. Quotes
Put a quote on Twitter or Facebook and watch the “likes” leap. Nothing like an inspiring quote to put a gleam in someone’s eye to start their day.
Example: Stephen King on what is required to be a good writer “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
#18. Podcasting
Podcasting was big a few years ago but it is making a resurgence. Technology is making it easier than ever before to create a podcast. Not only produce content that is a podcast but take your old articles and turn them into podacsts. same content different medium. This media can be downloaded and listened to as people drive, commute and sit on a park bench.
Example: Marketing Is Dead
#19. eBooks
Turning content into an ebook is a great way to make tour content spread. Use them to build your email lists by acquiring a name and email for the privilege of accessing an eBook that offers valuable information.
Example: In my ebook on Amazon “Blogging the Smart Way” a lot of the chapters used blog articles as the foundation for the content
#20. Transcripts
Transcription services are now low cost and easy to do. This takes your podcast or video and turns it into a document.
What about you?
What ideas have worked for you in the past. Are there some you would like to try?
Have you tried podcasting? How is the visual web treating your content, sharing and liking?
Look forward to hearing your stories in the comments below.
Want to Learn More About How to Create Compelling Content that Your Audience Wants to Read and Share?
My book – Blogging the Smart Way “How to Create and Market a Killer Blog with Social Media” – will show you how.
