#ContentWritingChat March 15 2016 Recap: Strategies to Maximize Your Outreach on Social Media

Did you miss this week’s #ContentWritingChat? If so, there’s no need to worry because we have you covered with a full recap! We talked all about social media this week and our chat participants shared some amazing tips. If you’re looking to boost your presence on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more, keep on reading.

#ContentWritingChat March 15 2016 Recap: Strategies to Maximize Your Outreach on Social Media

Join us Tuesday, March 15th at 10 AM CST for #ContentWritingChat with @shane_barker as our guest host! pic.twitter.com/W52948pFuo

— Express Writers (@ExpWriters) March 8, 2016

Our guest host this week was the one and only Shane Barker: a #1 ranked Digital Strategist in social media, a major influencer in the social media marketing space, and a consultant that works with clients providing them with SEO and Internet marketing advice and strategies. You can learn more about him on his website, ShaneBarker.com.

Q1: What are steps every brand/business should take when starting out on social media?

Whether you’re just starting out on social media or you’ve been at it for a while now, there’s still plenty to learn from the responses to our first question. Shane, Netvantage Marketing, Jessica, and Ai all chimed in with great answers.

A1) Test multiple social media platforms and see if building a community there makes sense. #ContentWritingChat

— Shane Barker (@shane_barker) March 15, 2016

As Shane mentioned, it’s wise test multiple platforms to see if they’ll work for you. Remember that you don’t have to be on every social media platform available. Instead, you should invest your time and energy into the platforms your target audience is using.

A1: Be sure to fill our your profiles completely. Use a recognizable/well-branded profile image. #contentwritingchat

— Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) March 15, 2016

When you create a social media profile, don’t forget to add all the necessary information. Write a bio, upload a cover photo (on applicable platforms), and choose a great profile image. As Jessica and Ai pointed out, it’s all about building relationships. Don’t be afraid to dive in and start talking to people. Make connections by starting conversations with new people. You can’t start selling right away. You have to build trust first.

A1: Get to know your people by personally reaching out, engagement w/ PURPOSE @ExpWriters #ContentWritingChat

— Jessica Smith (@coachJessness) March 15, 2016

A1: Don’t use social as a way to sell but to build relationships and communities, which can lead to sales #ContentWritingChat

— Ai Zhang (@aiaddysonzhang) March 15, 2016

Q2: Which social media platforms are best to be on in 2016 and beyond?

New platforms are always on the horizon when it comes to social media. So, how do you know which ones are worthwhile to be on? Shane and Dagmar both offered up some great advice. When you’re trying to decide which platforms to build a presence on, consider your audience as well as the product/service you provide. You want to make sure you invest your time in platforms where your audience is spending time if you want them to help grow your brand/business.

A2) This all depends on your product/service you provide & how willing the business owner is to create content & engage. #ContentWritingChat

— Shane Barker (@shane_barker) March 15, 2016

A2) Depends on: your niche; the ideal client you want to attract; what media you enjoy using: text, images, video, audio #contentwritingchat

— Dagmar Gatell (@DagmarGatell) March 15, 2016

Don’t forget about what’s most enjoyable to you, too! For example, if you’re great on video, build a presence on Periscope, Blab, or Snapchat. Our CEO, Julia, knows some of the best platforms to be on are the tried and true favorites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+. Even though they have all been around for a long time now, they’re still worthwhile. Newer video platforms such as Periscope and Blab continue to increase in popularity though.

A2 Facebook and Twitter are top. Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, G+, Periscope, Blab #ContentWritingChat

— Julia McCoy (@JuliaEMcCoy) March 15, 2016

Q3: What are a few strategies for success on Twitter?

Here at Express Writers, we love Twitter! It’s one of our favorite social media platforms to use and connect with our audience. If you want to step-up your Twitter presence, check out these tips. Shane recommends utilizing Twitter Lists. Lists are a great way to create a curated timeline of people whose updates you don’t want to miss.

A3) I would recommend using Twitter Lists to organize your people. You can organize them by groups, events or location. #ContentWritingChat

— Shane Barker (@shane_barker) March 15, 2016

Try creating a few Twitter Lists for yourself! You can have lists based on a certain topic, a select group of people, or even potential clients you want to build relationships with.

A3 Use for networking, research, provide useful info – not direct selling. Build relationships #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/8ykCfo1XxO

— Grenae Thompson (@DGGT) March 15, 2016

A3. Engage with both individuals & brands, join conversations already happening in your space. #contentwritingchat

— Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) March 15, 2016

Both Grenae and Kristen know the importance of building relationships on Twitter. Put yourself out there and start connecting with new people! You just might find your next clients or customers or even a new friend.

A3: Twitter chats; it’s learning and engagement in one spot. #contentwritingchat

— Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) March 15, 2016

And much like Netvantage Marketing, it’s no secret that we love Twitter chats! Not only are they a great place to connect with new people, but many are quite informative!

Q4: Name some best practices for Facebook outreach.

Facebook’s algorithm can make it tricky to get eyes on the content you post. Put these tips to use for a better Facebook strategy.

A4) Make content that resonates with your audience. Link dropping doesn’t cut it anymore. Competition is stiff. #ContentWritingChat

— Kyle Murray (@TheKyleMurray) March 15, 2016

Kyle shared some great advice when he said to create content that resonates with your audience. When it comes to any platform, you need to create with your audience in mind.

A4) I think the best form of @Facebook outreach is through FB ads. You can drill down & market to your perfect client. #ContentWritingChat

— Shane Barker (@shane_barker) March 15, 2016

Many people these days are turning to Facebook ads to reach their audience, which Shane knows. You can target your exact audience and make sure you’re reaching the right people.

Q5: How should you interact on LinkedIn?

A few people in Tuesday’s chat admitted they haven’t been putting too much effort into their LinkedIn profiles. If you’re feeling the same way, put these tips to use:

A5) For @Linkedin, make sure to provide value. Nobody likes to receive a new LI connection & be pitched instantly. #ContentWritingChat

— Shane Barker (@shane_barker) March 15, 2016

Shane’s advice could really work for any social media platform. Make sure you provide value and don’t pitch people as soon as you meet them. That’s not cool!

A5- I’m a big fan of #LinkedInPulse. Publish valuable content for your audience & connect with others in your space. #ContentWritingChat

— Hannah Chapple (@HannahChapple) March 15, 2016

Hannah loves using LinkedIn Pulse. If you haven’t started using it for yourself, be sure to check it out!

A5: Many strategies are valid across platforms: consistency, engagement, & valuable content #ContentWritingChat

— Ai Zhang (@aiaddysonzhang) March 15, 2016

A5 Connect. And publish content. Goes a long way & helps you position yourself in the community. #ContentWritingChat

— Zala Bricelj (@ZalkaB) March 15, 2016

Both Ai and Zala shared some great advice. Be consistent, engage with your audience, and provide valuable content.

Q6: What are some ways to best determine who to follow/connect to?

With the amount of people using social media, how in the world do you find the right people to connect with? We have the answer!

A6) Define goals of what you want accomplish in social media first. Then you know who it is you want to connect to. #contentwritingchat

— Dagmar Gatell (@DagmarGatell) March 15, 2016

Dagmar suggests setting social media goals. Know what you want to achieve with your social media presence and have a clear idea of who your audience is.

A6: Follow people who you’d like to be like in business, stay engaged and perhaps you’ll find yourself a mentor. #ContentWritingChat

— Amanda Chan (@dramandachan) March 15, 2016

Amanda says to seek out people that you aspire to be like when it comes to business. Start engaging with them and build a relationship. You never know where it might lead!

A6. I like Twitter chats and the Explore page on Instagram. #ContentWritingChat

— Brittany Brander (@BrittanyBrander) March 15, 2016

Brittany said she loves to participate in Twitter chats and check out the Explore page on Instagram to find new people to connect with.

A6) Make lists (Twitter or elsewhere) of people you’ve developed a symbiotic connection with; it sifts through noise. #ContentWritingChat

— Kyle Murray (@TheKyleMurray) March 15, 2016

A great tip from Kyle: Make lists of people you’ve developed a relationship with. This is a great way to help you stay in touch with them!

Q7: What are some of your favorite social media tools?

There are a ton of social media tools available at our fingertips today. If you’re looking for new ones to try out, check out some of these:

A7) One of my favorite tools right now is @ninjaoutreach! It is awesome for media, influencer and blogger outreach. #ContentWritingChat

— Shane Barker (@shane_barker) March 15, 2016

A7 @buffer @hootsuite @IFTTT @Crowdfire some video & pic editing apps #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/fF1bdTgRcF

— Varun Kumar ☺ (@varunkr842) March 15, 2016

Shane is loving Ninja Outreach lately. Varun uses Buffer, Hootsuite, IFTTT, and Crowdfire.

@writingchat A7. Tweetdeck is great, we can have multiple columns with different content #ContentWritingChat

— Samiran Ghosh (@samiranghosh) March 15, 2016

Samiran likes using TweetDeck and organizes his content through different columns. It’s a great way to keep everything organized on Twitter.

Julia shared some of our favorite tools here at Express Writers: Buffer, Canva, Commun.it, BuzzSumo, and Hashtagify.

A7 @buffer for scheduling, @canva for making visuals, @commun_it & @BuzzSumo for connecting, @hashtagify for Instagram #ContentWritingChat

— Julia McCoy (@JuliaEMcCoy) March 15, 2016

Q8: What are some commonly overlooked, but good, practices for social media?

To wrap up our chat, we asked chatters to share some of their best tips for social media. Here’s what some of them had to say:

A8) Don’t talk about your product/service all the time. Just provide great content & they will inquire if interested. #ContentWritingChat

— Shane Barker (@shane_barker) March 15, 2016

You can’t talk about your business and your product/service all the time. The focus should be on providing great content to your audience first and foremost.

A8) Scheduling time to engage with content from others. It means the world to them! People want to be heard/understood. #ContentWritingChat

— Kyle Murray (@TheKyleMurray) March 15, 2016

Kyle says it’s a good idea to block off time to engage on social media. Don’t forget to be social and chat with people!

A8) Give first. I think this one is huge. Many start social media with the pressure to sell. And become salesy. #contentwritingchat

— Dagmar Gatell (@DagmarGatell) March 15, 2016

Don’t try to sell your products or service right off the bat. You have to give first before you can ask for that sale.

A8. watch for your grammatical errors and remember that social media is a two way channel, engage with your audience! #contentwritingchat

— Village Print&Media (@village_print) March 15, 2016

Always a good one to remember: Double-check for grammatical errors or typos before you hit that button to post an update.

A8: Patience…it takes time to build a community & to nurture relationships. SM doesn’t always result in instant sales #ContentWritingChat

— Amanda Chan (@dramandachan) March 15, 2016

And of course, you need patience. It takes time to build a community on social media and to build strong relationships. If you put in the time and effort, you will see results.

We look forward to seeing you at the next #ContentWritingChat! Mark your calendars weekly for Tuesday at 10 AM CDT for great chats centered around content writing and marketing!