Writing for social media

@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?

Twitter

@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

Facebook

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