Content marketing is about attracting people who are interested in what you're selling, and giving them information they need or want. By creating top-notch material, you can convert prospects into customers, and customers into fans. These days, that's how successful businesses are gaining traction.
But what if no one sees your content? What if you're creating it in a vacuum? Your time and effort will go down the drain.
That's one of the beauties of getting your content shared through social media. You can put your blog post, special report, infographic, or white paper in front of an audience that will pass it around. If you take the right approach, your material may spread like wildfire. Below, you'll find several tips for creating shareable content on social media that your readers will share with others.
6 Ways to Get Your Content to Spread Like Wildfire on Social Media
1. Write About Something People Care About
Your material should relate to your business. That's the best way to draw people who will eventually become buyers. Remember, you're not interested in getting in front of everyone. You just want the attention of your own market.
Your blog posts, reports, and other content don't necessarily need to deal directly with your field of expertise. But there should be a connection. For example, suppose you sell home security systems. You can write about crime rates, the benefits of security, and common mistakes people make when going on vacation.
The important thing is to make sure your topic is something people care about and relate to. They won't share if they don't care.
2. Offer A Different Perspective
Everyone is publishing content these days. That means it's tough to find something to say that hasn't already been said by someone else. But if you can dig up a unique perspective and package it in a way that makes people think, it will get shared on Facebook, Twitter, and the rest.
Let's say you're running a site that sells fitness DVDs. Your entire business is based on getting people to work out. A “unique” perspective that is sure to turn heads is “Why Going To The Gym Is A Big Waste Of Time.” Package it into a juicy blog post or report, and let your audience know about it. Many of them will pass it around.
Side tip: be careful not to sound like a heretic. Having your content spread through social channels because you're “nuts” isn't a great strategy for attracting loyal customers.
3. Make Your Content Actionable
It's one thing to teach a subject. It's another thing to teach it in a way that's actionable. People want to know how to do something specific. If you show them how to do it, they'll tell others.
One way to do this is by sharing tips that can be used immediately. This can work in just about any niche. It doesn't matter if you sell home security systems, DVDs, or vacuum cleaners.
4. Make Your Content Available On A “Connected” Site
If you plan to post your content onto a blog – your own or someone else's – make sure that blog includes social media sharing buttons. The buttons should appear at the beginning or end of each post. You want people to be able to easily like your post on Facebook, tweet it to Twitter, and pin it to Pinterest. It's even better if they can stumble it to StumbleUpon.
Folks can still share your content through social media channels without the buttons. But chances are, they won't. Make it easy for them!
5. Mail Your List After Posting Your Content
You should be getting people to join a mailing list. Your list makes you all but immune to changes in Google's search algorithms, because if your site gets pummeled in the search listings, you can still reach folks.
Another benefit of having a list is that you can use it to drive traffic to your new content. Each time you post new material, let the folks on your list know about it. Provide a link and encourage them to take a look. Ask them to share your new content with others on Twitter, Facebook, and other social channels. (Sometimes, a simple call to action is all you need to get things started.)
6. Promote Your Content On Social Media
You can sit back and hope that your content creates a firestorm on social media on its own. Or you can light the fire yourself. That means going to Facebook and sharing it with your fans. It means getting the party started on Twitter. Ultimately, it means telling the social world that you've created something worth reading or watching.
Even if your new piece of content is a masterpiece, you still need to get the word out. To turn a quote from the movie “Field of Dreams” onto its head, just because you build it doesn't mean anyone will come. Your content needs a push.
And those are my 6 ways to get your content to spread like wildfire on social media! Each one of the sections above deserves its own post (actually, a series of posts). For now, take a close look at how you create and promote your content for the social media channels.
Are you taking steps to ensure it spreads?
Your Turn!
How are you using social media to spread your content? What strategies are you using to get it in front of as many people as possible? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
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Jackie, I think once a week would be fine to send out an update on your new articles. Tara, excellent article… currently, I am using google plus to get the message out about my 2 month old website. It’ll take some time, but I am building an authority website, and plan to work on it for the next few years. The key is to not give up so easily when you have no sales, and not many visitors at the beginning. Keep adding content!!
Great Article. As a Newbie Blogger, I gained so much knowledge! Thank You so much for sharing all these valuable Information.It gives in depth information and I have never read any article more comperehensive than this. Thanks for this valuable knowledge.Keep it up!
Tara did a great job! I am so glad you found it full of great info!
I use both Facebook and other methods to build out my list. You definitely want to have a list for sure!
Great blog post. I like to use Pinterest to post my blogs as well as the other social media sites. It seems my Enlightened News organizing blog and small business Administrative Support blog get more views through Pinterest. So, I decided to go back and add images to my older blog posts so I can share on Pinterest.
That was a smart thing to do Sabrina because that will definitely pull in more traffic. If you make the photo a graphic by putting the blog title on it, that would give them even more insight on what you are leading them to.
Love it! Thanks for stopping by James!
Thanks for dropping in!
I listen and I ask – both are truly great ways to find what your audience’s pain points are and then you know exactly how you can serve them.