5 Tips For Getting Great Social Media Content From Your Readers
Posted by Deirdre Jones on Tue, Aug 30, 2011
Developing content for social media can be tricky - sometimes you are simply at a loss for new ideas. So how do you generate fresh, insightful content when it seems that you have covered it all? The solution is quite simple actually. Tap into the minds of your audience and you will develop a multitude of ideas for fresh content.
Here are 5 great ways to generate excellent content from your readers:
Tap Into the Power of Social Media
Social media is powerful. You only need to observe the fact that so many people are turning to social media for news rather than traditional outlets for an indication of that power. In the past, news took days and sometimes weeks to spread. Today, however, news is generated on-the-fly in just minutes thanks to the power of social media.
Whether you are using Facebook, Twitter, Linked in, Google Plus, or a combination of the most popular social media websites, make sure that you are maximizing the potential of the social platform. Sure, it can be a pain to keep up with multiple social networking sites, but if done properly, you will never be short of content ideas, since interaction is the main focus of social networking sites. Your readers like to interact with you, so use it to your advantage.
Controversy Works
If you want to generate some really great ideas for fresh content for social media, just post something controversial. Readers cannot resist the urge to weigh in with their own opinions when the topic is controversial. Monitor the comments section for new ideas and also to interact with your readers. However, when choosing controversy, you must be careful not to alienate your readers.
Solicit Tips for Tip-Style Articles and Posts
Readers seem to love tip-style articles, so why not use them as content for social media as well? The best part about this idea is that you do not even have to come up with your own tips. In one of your regular posts, present a common problem that your readers encounter and then solicit their tips for solving the problem. In a future post, compile a list of the top tips for solving the issue. This is an excellent way to repurpose existing content for social media.
Allow Readers to Submit Guest Posts
Guest posts are an excellent way to generate readymade content for social media. They are probably also one of the easiest ways to garner new content. Simply add a prominent link somewhere letting your readers know that you encourage guest posting. On the “guest post” information page, give details of how they can submit and share their own content for consideration.
Present a Problem and Ask for Solutions
It is the nature of people to be helpful, so readers simply cannot resist the urge to offer their advice when it is openly solicited for a problem, especially when the issue is an ethical one. Presenting an ethical problem and asking for solutions works particularly when developing content for social media since very backbone of social networking depends on interaction.
Everyone has an opinion, and most love to share it. Besides satisfying the urge to be helpful in solving your problem, your readers will enjoy sharing their own insights on the issue as well. You benefit with great ideas that you can incorporate into fresh content for social media.