Don’t Post and Run on Social Media

When it comes to social media, writing snappy tweets and compelling Facebook posts is only half the battle. Once you have your social media blast getting some buzz, your job has really just begun. Whether your post is turning heads or getting buried, you shouldn’t be walking away from the screen just yet. Here are four things you must do to go beyond the post in social media marketing:

Say Thanks to Sharers

Anytime someone shares your social media post, take a moment to thank them for passing on your post. This is especially critical the first time anyone shares a post of yours. Saying thanks often leads to good customer feedback, a new business-to-business relationship, and even more posts getting shared by the same user. No matter how big or small your company is, taking the time to say thank you always shows other social media folks that you are paying attention.

Engage With Commenters

If you’re lucky, your social media post will get at least a few comments. At the very least, “Like” any comments you receive. If you can, respond to anyone who has something to add. Being open and friendly with customers, clients, and peers does wonders for your reputation. Comments can also have a way of bringing in even more people to notice your post and message.

Give Back to Others

Once your post has run its course, drum up some goodwill before you post again. Comment on and “Like” a few posts by people on your social media feed. A good rule of thumb is to interact with one person you know, one person you would like to know, and one person who is a stranger to you. In social media, you often need to give before you get, and being seen as an active and friendly participant will increase the reach of your subsequent social media posts.

Lurk a Bit

Check out accounts targeting a similar audience. See which posts get the most activity and which ones are duds. Write down a few things that you may want to try in your next few posts and what mistakes you’d like to avoid. Over time, you’ll have a good “best practices” document you can refer to when writing future social media posts.