@Buffyandrews
Buffy Andrews
Writing for social mediaSocial Media
Keep in mindSocial media is about engagementIt’s not a one-way conversation (That’s called broadcasting.)Divide your time on social media in thirds.
1/3 engaging (retweets, replies, responding)1/3 promoting (sharing links to stories, videos, etc.)1/3 being yourself (have voice/show personality)
@Buffy Andrews
Examples of short writingTweetsHeadlinesCaptionsBlurbsBlog postsText messagesFacebook posts ListsFortune cookie fortunesSonnets
Writing shortFocus. Zero in. What’s the most important piece of
information to share?Ask yourself, what information can I leave out?Tighten. Eliminate needless wordsCut weaker elements: adverbs, passive constructions,
prepositional phrases, etc.The shorter the sentence the greater the value of each wordMore powerful the message, the shorter the sentence (I do.)
Writing shortPut most important word at the end of the sentence ie. In Macbeth, the messenger says: “The queen, my lord, is dead.”
Revise, polish proofreadGood reporting critical for short writing success It takes more time not less to write something good and
short Donald Murray: Brevity comes from selection and not
compression
Writing shortAuthor and editor David Von Drehle would focus with these
questions:Why does the story matter?What’s the point?Why is the story being told?What does the story say about life, the world, the timeswe live in?
@Buffy Andrews
5 types of tweetsLinksImagesQuotesRetweetsQuestions or comments of your own
Twitter tipsPost good profile photoFill out profile completelyTweet frequently (handwritten, not RSS)Tweets not all about youHave something interesting to say. Add value.Find and follow people who share your interestJoin the conversation. EngageRetweet, reply and promote others‘Steal’ followers from other accountsUse hashtags to find people with shared interests
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Twitter tipsUse @mention in tweets helps people notice youWhen you include someone’s handle, they’ll see it in their
“mentions” feed If you’re lucky, they’ll follow you back Twitter is all about connecting. Don’t miss this opportunity
to connect
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TwitterDifference between at @reply and @mention@Buffyandrews, only people who will see this tweet is the
sender, me and our mutual followersTo have this tweet seen by everyone, add “.” before name.
ie. .@buffyandrews
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Twitter tipsCheck to see if hashtag you’re considering is one that’s usedIe. Check #childabuse and you might find
#domesticviolence #negligence #abuseInclude the hashtags you discover in your tweet
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Twitter tipsQuickest way to find someone Twitter handle is to use
GoogleIts search function is better than Twitter’s. Just google “person’s name” and “Twitter” and you should
find what you’re looking for.
Twitter tipsInclude photo in tweet
for better engagement
Twitter tipsSchedule posts using Tweetdeck or HootsuiteInclude photo in tweet for better engagement
@Buffy Andrews
Twitter exercise: Moonwalkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMINSD7MmT4
Tweet exercises to tryJohn Lennon killedTMISeptember 11Osama bin ladenCrucifixion of Jesus
Buffy Andrews
Facebook tipsIdentify breaking news as “breaking” or “breaking news" Analysis
shows increase in engagementIf reader asks question on Facebook, answer itSchedule for engagement Engagement=18 percent higher on Thursdays/Fridays Engagement=32 percent higher on weekends Best time to post 1 to 3 p.m., also sweet spot in eveningUse hashtagsTry writing longer posts. Clicking on the “more” link triggers
relevancy Use photos: Images receive 37 percent more interactions
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Facebook exercise: Hindenburghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgWHbpMVQ1U
Google+
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Google+: Everyday usesSimilar to Facebook but with advantage of SEO juice
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Google+ tips
Research and find relevant Google+ accounts to tagType “@NAME” to locate accounts
Buffy Andrews
Google+ tips
Use relevant hashtags Type #Hashtag
Buffy Andrews
Google+ exercise: Swift new albumhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okTokQgOo6I
Content marketing
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Social mediaPerhaps the most important tool in your marketing toolboxIt’s the new word-of-mouth advertising (Facebook, Twitter,
Digg, review sites, etc.)Efficient, allows you to connect with people interested in
your work Helps you engage with your audience
Buffy Andrews
Why promote Bring content to the attention of
those most likely to be interested.
By building audience, we build more opportunities to stack digital dimes.
72 percent of online adults use social networking sites
YouTube now reaches more U.S. adults aged 18-34 than any cable network.
Buffy Andrews
How to promote• Share links in a conversational way in places where the links
would be relevant, welcome content. These include:• Facebook• Twitter• Google+• Linkedin• Blogs• Newsletters• Websites• etc.
Buffy Andrews
Identify audienceIdentify the audience for
your content (blog post, story, video, slideshow, etc.)
If you want to hook fish, you have to cast your line where they swim.
Use tools like Topsy to find potential targets
Buffy Andrews
Match audience with content
Buffy Andrews
Read Across America Day Seuss FB pageKids Craft Corner FB pagePetSmart PetcoElementary teachers Elementary schools Children’s book publishersEtc.
Match audience with contentMedical marijuana Epilepsy FB pagesEpilepsy Google groupsEpilepsy Twitter accountsEtc.
Buffy Andrews
Look at metricsMeasure value of your hard work; adjust if necessaryWatch what gets the most traffic, most links, most social
shares, most commentsSocial media audience will help spread your content if they
find it worthwhileContent that attracts most attention tends to be well-
defined and focused
Buffy Andrews
Promote: Facebook
Buffy Andrews
Facebook tipsFind relevant Facebook pagesBe conversational; don’t want to come across as a spammerComment within thread that makes senseTag people in comment when appropriateInclude links and keywords in postPeak time = 1 to 3 p.m., also boost early evening
Buffy Andrews
Facebook tips
Buffy Andrews
When you post within comment thread on Facebook, check to see who shared the post. Those who shared post are potential targets
Promote: Twitter tipsResearch and find relevant
Twitter handles, accounts to include in tweet
Use photos
Promote: Google+ tips
Research and find relevant Google+ accounts to tagType “@NAME” to locate accounts
Buffy Andrews
Google+ tipsResearch and find relevant hashtags to includeType “#SUBJECT”
Buffy Andrews
Promote: National websites• Submit unique, weird or important posts that could go viral to: Digg
FarkRedditStumbleUponDrudgeBoing BoingJezebeletc.
Buffy Andrews
Other ways include: PinterestNewslettersBlogsLinkedinYoutube
Parting wordsContent finds readers; they often don’t look for itBest content provides value to reader Use SEO best practices Don’t be afraid to try new things and failBe a visionary
Buffy Andrews
Follow me
Buffy Andrews
• Buffy’s World: http://www.yorkblog.com/buffy/
• Buffy’s Write Zone:
http://buffyswritezone.blogspot.com/• Author website:
www.authorbuffyandrews.com• Twitter: https://
twitter.com/Buffyandrews• Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/buffy.andrews• Google+:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/102646936236475852585/posts
Follow mePinterest: https://pinterest.com/buffyandrews/Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/buffyandrewsStorify: http://storify.com/buffyandrewsInstagram: buffyandrewsLinkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?
id=40047960RebelMouse:
https://www.rebelmouse.com/BuffyandrewsGoodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7370309-buffy-andrews
Buffy Andrews
Contact Buffy AndrewsAssistant Managing Editor
Features and Niche Pubs
Social Media Coordinator
York Daily Record
Email : Buffy@ydrcom
Phone: 717-771-2052
Buffy Andrews
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