Simplify Your Content Creation
If you’re here, you’re likely looking for some help creating a Social Media Content Strategy. If so, you’re in the right place! I’ll share some Instagram content creation tools, content ideas, and the best type of content for Instagram to help you craft a social media content strategy that will achieve your business goals.
Your social media content strategy should ultimately support your business goals. Ideally, you’ll want to post a variety of content that is relatable, relevant to your audience, and adds value to their social media pages. Doing all of this and more may seem overwhelming at first, which is why I’m giving you clear content ideas for Instagram and direct steps that you can take to simplify every part of your content creation. Instead of agonizing every single day over what to post, try following the tips below and notice how you have more time to focus on your business rather than stressing about your content!
Yes, You Need Great Visuals
If you’re like most business owners, you are way too busy to get dressed up and stage a mini photoshoot every single day. Well, you’re in luck! Rather than taking photos one day at a time, I always recommend having a half or full-day photoshoot and capturing hundreds of on-brand photos that you can store and use each time you post. The best type of content for Instagram is not only visually appealing, but also relevant to your followers. Be sure to take photos that portray the image you want them to see, while also remaining relatable and down to earth.
Bonus tip: your feed doesn’t have to be pretty to work for you! But, it does help make a good first impression to newcomers.
Photos
You can take pictures of anything that’s relevant to your brand! Not everything you post has to be a perfectly-manicured portrait or a gorgeous selfie (people want real, not perfect)! Let’s say, for example, that you love coffee and you drink it every morning to start your day. Well, the next time you go to a coffee shop or even make coffee at home, snap a few photos from different angles, in different settings – you holding the coffee, the coffee on a table, etc… and now you have at least 5 different photos you can store and use later! That way, the next time you need a coffee photo you have it right at your fingertips, so posting on the go will be much easier!
Don’t forget to post your face every once in a while! People want to get to know the person behind the account/business they’re following – it helps build connections and community, and also creates authenticity and can help lead to more new business!
Graphic Design
A great way to build a grid pattern is to use some graphically designed posts as well as photos. If you’re not a designer or don’t have one on your team - don’t worry! There are great, free programs out there (like Canva) that help you create stunning visuals with a few simple clicks. Don’t know where to start? Here is an article from Sprout Social that breaks down the basics of what makes a great graphic - incorporate these insights into your designs and you’re sure to create something beautiful and moving!
It’s All in the Caption
Writing a caption that converts readers into buyers doesn’t have to be stressful (and it doesn’t have to be sales-y either)! It’s important that your captions show your audience a glimpse into what you do, add value to their feed, and share benefits of what you’re offering.
What do I mean by “share benefits of your offer?” For example, if you’re a product-based business, you don’t want to talk directly about your product (which might sound counterintuitive but stay with me), you want to talk about a problem that your product solves. How will your product improve your consumers’ life? Answer that question and now you know how to write about the benefits of your product!
It’s also important to grab the reader’s attention the minute they see your post. In the first line of your caption, you’ll want a salient hook sentence that draws them in and makes them want to read more.
The Anatomy of a Great Caption
Like I mentioned, you’ll want to start each caption with a hook sentence that gets people to stop in their tracks and click “read more.” Some examples of good hook sentences are:
I have a secret…
We have new opportunities for vendors!
Did you hear what happened last night?
You get the picture. Draw their interest into your post by teasing what you’re going to talk about (p.s. It’s okay to be dramatic, just avoid clickbait - that’s an easy way to lose trust).
Once you’ve got the hook down, it’s time to share some insights and add value. Tell them what they need to hear/what you’re going to teach them. For example, if your opening line was “I have a secret,” your next line would be what the secret is. Or, if you opened with, “We have a new opportunity for vendors,” you’ll then share what the opportunity is and how the vendors can take advantage of it.
To finish off your caption, you’ll want to include some sort of action for your followers to take. This can be as simple as “comment your thoughts” or “send me a message to learn more.” You might be thinking…what about my e-commerce goals? Directing followers to your website is okay SOMETIMES, but make sure you’re not flooding every single post with sales-y CTAs (you will quickly lose a lot of followers and engagements, and likely won’t see an increase in sales because of it).
P.S. - You can include a second call to action at the end of your caption! Share a special offer, direct followers to your website, or invite them to take any other action by including a simple “P.S.” at the end of your post.
What Else Goes Into Content Creation?
Another important part of content creation is – you guessed it – actually creating content! Rather than worrying each day about what you’re going to post, write your content 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks at a time so that you aren’t scrambling to post each day! Having a social media content creation strategy is not only a good idea, but can also be very time-efficient for your business. I typically recommend creating content 1 or 2 weeks at a time - doing so allows you to be prepared, but also be ready to keep up with current trends as they arise.
Overwhelmed? Don’t be! If this sounds like too much to handle on your own, that’s what Fireside Social is here for. I offer everything from platform audits and social media content strategies, to full-on posting and community management for all of your social channels. Get in touch to learn more about how we can work together to take your brand’s social presence to the next level.
