Why Should People Read Your Social Media Content?

One excuse that I hear from some, not all, clients, is “Who’s going to read anything I post on social media?”

This is actually a very good question while being a very bad excuse at the same time.

Understanding why people read anything on social media, let alone your writings, is crucial to being successful on social media.

Let’s talk about this!

Why do people read anything anyway?

People read for three primary reasons.

First, to be informed.

Second, to learn how to do something.

Third, to be entertained.

(Some may argue that there is a fourth reason, to fall asleep. For my purposes, I’m going to disregard this one.)

What’s the common denominator across all of these reasons?

The common denominator is value!

People perceive that they’re going to get something of value from reading whatever it is that they’re reading.

(Even the fourth reason meets this requirement!)

However subjectively it’s measured, value is something that will make people allot a small amount of a very precious commodity, their free time, to read whatever it is that has caught their attention.

So to answer the question that titles this article, to get people to read your social media content, some value has to be contained therein for them.

(Getting them to notice your content in the first place in order to read it, is another question for another article.)

We’re talking now about having valuable, relevant content for the people who follow you on social media and to whomever else they may share your content with.

Here’s the kicker, how do we write value added content?

First question, whom are you writing for?

You’re not writing for everyone, you’re writing for your ideal client personas ( or hiring managers if you’re looking for another position.)

Ultimately, someone’s going to pay you in cold, hard cash because they found value in your writing.

Next question, what should you write about?

What’s of interest to your readers?

(Hint: if you don’t know then ask them! You’ll be surprised what you can learn.)

What are their needs?

Do you know something that they don’t?

Use the appropriate social media channel.

Your content should be in a format and style that’s suitable for where you’re posting.

(i.e., What’s suitable for Facebook may not work on LinkedIn.)

Always be succinct with your writing and use graphics.

Finally, don’t forget to reuse your content!

It’s not one and done!

Your goal with your community is to always be top of mind as an influencer.

You’re the subject matter expert (SME)!

Do this and people will come to rely on you not only for the answers but the questions as well!

That’s it for now!

Please check-out my 8 step approach for developing a social media program to get some more ideas on how to use social media.

Also, never forget to reach out to either ask questions or to ask for help from someone like myself!

In the meantime, thank you for following and reading my blog!

I look forward to any and all comments that you may have. I will reply to any comments made to this blog post as promptly as I can.