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Go Live & Win: How to Master Live Videos for Maximum Engagement

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 11:25:22 GMT

Live videos remain one of the most powerful tools for social media engagement.

Live videos remain one of the most powerful tools for social media engagement. Whether you're on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or LinkedIn, live streaming helps you connect with your audience in real time, creating authentic interactions that boost reach and engagement. If you want to take full advantage of this feature, follow these expert tips to Go Live & Win!

1. Plan Your Live Stream Ahead of Time

While live videos are meant to feel spontaneous, a well-thought-out plan can make a huge difference in keeping your audience engaged. Outline your main talking points, prepare any necessary visuals or props, and decide on an engaging title to attract viewers. Promote your live session in advance to build anticipation—post reminders on your stories, feed, and even send out email alerts if applicable.

2. Choose the Right Time

Timing is everything! Analyse your audience insights to determine when they are most active. Each platform has different peak engagement hours, so schedule your live stream accordingly. If your audience is global, consider choosing a time that works across multiple time zones.

3. Have a Strong Opening Hook

Attention spans are short—if you don’t capture interest within the first few seconds, viewers may leave. Start with a strong hook by asking a question, teasing valuable insights, or stating an intriguing fact. Avoid long-winded introductions; jump right into the content to keep viewers engaged.

4. Interact with Your Audience

One of the biggest advantages of live video is real-time engagement. Greet viewers by name, respond to comments, and encourage questions throughout the session. Hosting a live Q&A is a fantastic way to boost interaction and make your audience feel valued. The more interactive your session, the better the engagement.

5. Take Viewers Behind the Scenes

Audiences love authenticity, and live videos offer the perfect opportunity to give them a behind-the-scenes look. Whether you’re showing how a product is made, sharing a day in your life, or taking them backstage at an event, behind-the-scenes content fosters a deeper connection with your audience.

6. Keep It Engaging with Visuals & Movement

Static live streams can get boring quickly. Keep your content dynamic by using props, switching angles, or showcasing different locations. If you're demonstrating something, use a second camera or invite a co-host to add variety and keep things lively.

7. Use Calls to Action (CTAs)

Don’t let your live video end without a clear call to action. Encourage viewers to follow your page, visit your website, sign up for a newsletter, or check out a product. CTAs help convert live engagement into meaningful business results.

8. Save & Repurpose Your Live Content

Once your live stream ends, save the video and repurpose it. Trim highlights and share them as short clips, reels, or TikTok’s. You can also turn key insights into a blog post or infographic to maximise reach.

Final Thoughts

Live videos continue to dominate social media, offering unmatched opportunities for engagement and reach. Whether you’re hosting a Q&A, giving a behind-the-scenes tour, or demonstrating a new product, going live can help you connect with your audience in a meaningful way. So, plan ahead, interact, and most importantly—have fun!

Are you ready to Go Live & Win? Let us know your best live streaming tips in the comments!

Hook ‘Em in 3 Seconds – Your First 3 Seconds of Video Are EVERYTHING

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 08:43:19 GMT

Did You Know Viewers Decide in 3 Seconds Whether to Stay or Scroll?

Hook ‘Em in 3 Seconds – Your First 3 Seconds of Video Are EVERYTHING

Did You Know Viewers Decide in 3 Seconds Whether to Stay or Scroll?

In today’s fast-paced digital world, capturing attention is the name of the game. The harsh reality? You have about three seconds to hook your audience before they scroll away. Whether you're on TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or Facebook, those first few moments can make or break your video’s success.

So, how do you make those precious three seconds count? Here are 7 key strategies to stop the scroll and keep viewers engaged.

1. Open With a Bold Question or Shocking Statistic

Starting with a compelling question or an eye-popping stat instantly grabs attention. People love curiosity-driven content, and they’ll stick around to hear the answer.

Examples: "Did you know 80% of viewers drop off within 3 seconds? Let’s change that!" "Your engagement rate can DOUBLE just by fixing your intro. Here’s how!"

2. Get Straight to the Point

No fluff, no filler. Viewers don’t have time for long intros. Avoid generic greetings like, “Hey guys, welcome back to my channel!” Instead, jump right into the content.

Example: Instead of saying, "Today I’m going to show you how to grow on social media," say, "Here’s how I gained 10,000 followers in 30 days!"

3. Show, Don’t Just Tell

Visuals speak louder than words. Instead of explaining what your video is about, SHOW something intriguing in the first three seconds.

Example: If your video is about fitness, start with a crazy transformation before explaining how you achieved it.

4. Use Fast Cuts & Motion

Quick edits, zoom-ins, and dynamic movement keep people engaged. A static frame is easy to scroll past, but movement forces the brain to pay attention.

Try: Jump cuts, text animations, or quick transitions to keep the energy high.

5. Use Emotion – Make Them Feel Something

Emotion is a powerful tool in content creation. Whether it's excitement, surprise, or even humour, making viewers feel something increases retention.

Example: Instead of just stating a fact, tell a quick, relatable story that connects with your audience.

6. Leverage On-Screen Text & Captions

Many people watch videos on mute. Adding bold text captions reinforces your message and ensures your hook lands even without sound.

7. Use a Pattern Interrupt

A pattern interrupt is something unexpected that makes people stop and take notice. This could be a sudden camera angle change, an unusual facial expression, or a surprising statement.

Example: "STOP! You’re making this huge mistake with your videos!"

Final Thought: Keep Testing & Analysing

Not every hook will be a winner, and that’s okay! The key is to test out different ones, analyse your video retention rates, and refine your approach based on what works best for your audience.

The first three seconds are EVERYTHING. Nail your hook and watch your engagement soar!

Repurpose Like a Pro: Maximising Your Content for Social Media

Tue, 27 May 2025 12:27:39 GMT

Creating content takes time, effort, and creativity, so why let it go to waste after just one use?

Creating content takes time, effort, and creativity, so why let it go to waste after just one use? The smartest marketers know that repurposing content is key to maximising reach, engagement, and ROI. By transforming one piece of content into multiple formats, you can extend its lifespan and reach different audiences across platforms. Here’s how to repurpose like a pro!

1. Turn a Blog Post into a Carousel

A well-written blog post is a treasure trove of content. Instead of only sharing the link, break it down into a carousel post for Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

● Extract key points and present them in a visually appealing slide deck.

● Use bold headlines and easy-to-read fonts to make each slide digestible.

● End with a call-to-action (CTA) encouraging users to swipe, comment, or visit your website for the full article.

2. Convert a Reel into a Twitter Thread

Short-form videos are highly engaging, but you can also maximise their impact by repurposing them into a tweet thread.

● Outline the main takeaways from your reel in a threaded series of tweets.

● Use emojis, bold hooks, and short sentences to keep readers engaged.

● Link back to the original reel to drive cross-platform traffic.

3. Extract Quotes from Webinars and Live Videos

Webinars and live sessions are packed with valuable insights, but not everyone has the time to watch them in full.

● Pull out the most compelling quotes or stats and turn them into branded graphics.

● Share these as Instagram Stories, LinkedIn posts, or Twitter updates.

● Create short clips (30-60 seconds) featuring highlights to keep engagement high.

4. Transform Long-Form Content into Bite-Sized Social Posts

Not all audiences consume content the same way. Some prefer reading long-form blogs, while others engage more with bite-sized social posts.

● Summarise key sections of an article into a LinkedIn post or Facebook update.

● Use a “Did You Know?” or “Quick Tips” format to spark curiosity and discussion.

● Reformat text into listicles, polls, or question-based posts for more engagement.

5. Compile User Comments & Testimonials into New Content

Your audience’s feedback and comments are a goldmine of content.

● Turn positive testimonials into social proof posts.

● Share frequently asked questions (FAQs) from comments as a Q&A-style post.

● Use engaging responses as a basis for your next video, blog, or podcast topic.

6. Repurpose Old Content with a Fresh Angle

Great content never gets old—it just needs a fresh perspective!

● Update older blog posts with new data and share them again.

● Refresh old social media posts with new graphics or captions.

● Repost successful tweets or Instagram posts at different times to reach new audiences.

Final Tip: Always Optimise for the Platform

Each social media platform has its own best practices, so tweak your repurposed content accordingly. Keep videos short for Instagram and TikTok, focus on professional insights for LinkedIn, and craft snappy, engaging threads for Twitter.

By strategically repurposing content, you can save time, expand your reach, and increase engagement without constantly reinventing the wheel. Now, go repurpose like a pro! ��

Tips for Using Trending Hashtags Effectively

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 09:55:09 GMT

Using hashtags strategically is one of the easiest ways to amplify your social media presence

Tips for Using Trending Hashtags Effectively:

● Stay updated with trends using Twitter’s trending topics, TikTok’s discover page, and Instagram’s explore section.

● Participate in trending challenges or conversations relevant to your niche.

● Don’t force a trending hashtag if it doesn’t align with your brand.

4. Rotate Your Hashtags to Avoid Shadowbans

Using the same set of hashtags repeatedly can flag your account as spammy, leading to a potential shadowban. A shadowban limits your post’s reach, making it almost invisible to non-followers. To avoid this, rotate your hashtags regularly.

How to Rotate Hashtags:

● Create different hashtag sets and alternate between them.

● Mix up niche, trending, and branded hashtags.

● Monitor hashtag performance and swap out underperforming ones.

● Avoid banned or flagged hashtags that could harm your reach.

5. Test, Analyse, and Adapt

Social media algorithms are always changing, so it’s essential to test different hashtag strategies and analyse their performance. Use tools like Instagram Insights, Twitter Analytics, or third-party apps to track engagement and reach.

Pro Tips:

● Keep a list of your best-performing hashtags.

● Don’t overload your posts with hashtags—stick to 10-15 quality ones.

● Engage with posts under your chosen hashtags to increase visibility.

Final Thoughts

Using hashtags strategically is one of the easiest ways to amplify your social media presence. By balancing niche and trending hashtags and rotating them regularly, you’ll maximize your reach, grow your audience, and stay on the right side of the algorithm. Start hashtagging smarter today and watch your engagement soar!

The Power of Storytelling: Why Mini-Stories Get More Shares

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 08:09:26 GMT

Once upon a time… there was a brand struggling to get noticed on social media.

Once upon a time… there was a brand struggling to get noticed on social media. Despite posting regularly, their content wasn’t gaining traction. That was until they discovered the magic of storytelling. By sharing mini-stories, their engagement skyrocketed, and their posts were shared far and wide. And so, they learned that stories aren’t just for fairy tales – they’re the secret sauce of social media success.

Why Stories Work

People are wired for stories. From childhood, we crave narratives that evoke emotion, create connections, and inspire action. Studies show that our brains process stories differently than facts. When we hear a compelling story, multiple areas of our brain light up, making the content more memorable and shareable.

Think about your own social media habits. What makes you stop scrolling? It’s often a post that pulls you in with a relatable story, an intriguing hook, or an emotional moment. When content feels personal, it feels important – and people love to share what moves them.

How to Craft Engaging Mini-Stories

You don’t need a novel-length post to captivate your audience. A well-crafted mini-story can be just a few sentences long but still powerful enough to make an impact. Here’s how:

Start with a Hook – Your opening line should grab attention. Try “Once upon a time…” or “You won’t believe what happened to me today…” to create curiosity.
Set the Scene Quickly – Introduce a relatable character (it could be you, a customer, or a fictional person) and a challenge they face.
Create an Emotional Connection – People connect with vulnerability, humour, and inspiration. Share struggles and triumphs.
End with a Takeaway – Every good story has a lesson. Tie your mini-story to a message, a call to action, or a brand value.
Keep It Short and Sweet – Attention spans are short, so make every word count.

Examples of Shareable Storytelling Posts

● Personal Triumph: “Once upon a time, I was terrified of public speaking. My hands would shake, my voice would crack, and I’d avoid it at all costs. But last night, I spoke in front of 500 people—and loved it! Here’s what changed… ”

● Customer Success Story: “Jane started her small business with just £100 and a dream. Today, she’s running a six-figure company. Here’s how she made it happen…”

● Relatable Everyday Moments: “I spilled coffee on my laptop this morning, missed my train, and showed up to work late. But then, something amazing happened…”

The Viral Effect of Stories

When your audience connects with your story, they’ll want to share it. A compelling post can spark conversations, inspire others, and even lead to virality. Brands that master storytelling don’t just gain followers – they build loyal communities.

So, the next time you post on social media, don’t just share information. Tell a story. Because every great connection begins with, “Once upon a time…”

March Social Media Audit: Time to Check In!

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:54:24 GMT

As we step into March, it's the perfect time to conduct a social media audit!

As we step into March, it's the perfect time to conduct a social media audit. Are your posts hitting the mark? Is engagement up or down? A social media audit helps you analyse what’s working, what’s not, and where you need to make adjustments to keep your audience engaged. Let’s see how you can audit your social media effectively and improve your strategy for the months ahead.

1. Review Your Goals

Your social media strategy should always align with your business objectives. Are you trying to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, generate leads, or boost sales? If your engagement is dropping, it might be time to reassess your goals and ensure your content supports them.

Action Tip: Make a list of your current social media goals and see if they align with your overall business plan. Adjust as necessary based on your findings.

2. Analyse Engagement Metrics

Are your followers engaging with your content? Take a deep dive into your analytics and look at likes, comments, shares, and saves. If engagement is decreasing, it could be a sign that your content isn’t resonating with your audience.

Key Metrics to Review:

● Likes, comments, shares, and saves

● Reach and impressions

● Click-through rates (CTR)

● Follower growth

Action Tip: Identify your top-performing posts and analyse what made them successful. Replicate these strategies in future posts.

3. Assess Content Performance

Look at the type of content that gets the most engagement. Are your videos performing better than static images? Are carousels driving more interactions than single posts?

Action Tip: Experiment with different content formats and track performance over time. Adjust your content mix based on what your audience engages with the most.

4. Evaluate Posting Frequency and Timing

Posting too often or too little can impact engagement. Analyse when your audience is most active and adjust your posting schedule accordingly.

Action Tip: Use insights from platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to determine peak engagement times and schedule posts strategically.

5. Audit Your Hashtags & Keywords

Hashtags and keywords play a crucial role in expanding your reach. Are you using the right ones? Check if your hashtags are still relevant and helping you reach your target audience.

Action Tip: Use tools like Hashtagify or Instagram Insights to find trending and high-performing hashtags in your niche.

6. Check Your Competitor’s Strategy

A competitor analysis can give you insights into what’s working in your industry. Look at their engagement, content themes, and posting frequency.

Action Tip: Identify trends from competitors that you can implement in your own strategy while maintaining originality.

7. Update Your Branding and Bio

Ensure your profile picture, cover photo, and bio accurately represent your brand. A fresh update can enhance credibility and engagement.

Action Tip: Review your bios across all platforms, update links, and ensure brand consistency.

8. Adjust and Optimise

Once you’ve gathered all your insights, it’s time to implement changes. Testing and optimising is key to long-term success.

Action Tip: Create an action plan with specific adjustments and monitor progress over the next few months.

By conducting a thorough social media audit this March, you can refine your strategy, boost engagement, and ensure your posts are hitting the mark. Still not sure?

Why not get us to take a look for you: https://www.fatcrocsocialmedia.co.uk/social-media-health-check

Travel Agents: Getting Social Media Right

183:687322897 (Claire Morton) — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 17:25:26 GMT

Well thought out strategies can, and do, make a difference.

To risk stating the obvious, if you’re in the travel business you’re battling in a highly competitive market. Wherever you go, your competition is there too. But all is not lost. Well thought through social media strategies can, and do, make a difference. Get your focus and targeting right, and those extra bookings will start to come through.

Social media and travel agents… what gives?

· If you’re a travel agent, you need to look to embrace social media as an additional marketing strategy that enhances all the other good marketing work you’re doing elsewhere. Social media isn’t a replacement strategy, it’s an addition that will support every message you send out elsewhere.

· Remember social media has a strong sense of immediacy and being of the moment. It’s more like being in a conversation, than standing up and presenting. Its raison d’etre is to engage, not just transmit.

· Social media platforms are an ideal way to get upfront and personal with your customer base. You can pick your tone. You can respond to their queries on a real-time basis. You can initiate, build, and strengthen relationships overnight.

· Social media platforms are the perfect vehicle for illustrating your expertise and approachableness. And that makes for the ideal customer engagement environment.

How can I, as a travel agent, use social media?

In all honesty, the ways you can use social media to promote your business are probably as numerous as there are stars in the sky. The beauty of using social media as a travel agent, though, is that it really comes into its own when you have eye-catching images. And let’s face it, good photos of holiday and travel destinations can be VERY eye-catching! So with that said, here are a few ideas to get you going…

1. Obviously, promoting deals and promotions is always going to work on social media – But a word of caution here… do this sparingly. Don’t ram it down peoples’ throats, get them intrigued and interested in the location first (see next point). And only then, from time to time, drop in details about an exciting deal that’s coming up. Do it that way, and you’re more likely to see your posts being shared. And that’s when the power of social media really kicks in.

2. Showcase your favoured hotspots – You’ll know why a particular location is popular with a particular type of client, so post enticing pictures, enthusiastic testimonials, and details of local events that are coming up. Drum up interest in the target audience for the area. Whet their appetites. Get them thinking about their next trip without the hard sell.

3. Share recent client experiences – Clearly, you need to get permission first. But if one of your clients has posted a fab review on Trip Advisor, make the most of it. The personal approach of showing you’re delighted they had a great holiday, when worded right, is a really nice touch. It shows you care.

4. Run a competition – There are strict rules to adhere to regarding competitions, of course, but if they’re something that you use as a hook in other areas of your marketing then you’re really missing a trick if you don’t promote them on social media too. The power of the punter is key here. You want to get them sharing, liking, and otherwise promoting your messages for you. Potential customers are more likely to read something their friends have shared and posted, than something you have shared and posted. It’s one of those social media ‘things’… so tap into it.

5. Become a recognised font of knowledge on a location – Highlight interesting facts and articles you find in magazines and the press. Prove that you have your finger of the travel pulse and keep your knowledge up to date. Hand out tips. Give advice. Share what you learn from other customers. Your audience will appreciate your generosity and show their appreciation by passing on your name.

Having read what we’ve written above, you won’t be surprised to learn that what we’ve said is just the tip of the social media iceberg. If you’d like to find out more about how social media can work for your travel agency then please give us a ring. We’d love to help you achieve what you’re aiming for in 2018!

How can speciality food producers market via social media?

183:687322897 (Claire Morton) — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 10:57:13 GMT

Social media is a great medium for reaching out to your market when you have a niche product.

Social media is a great medium for reaching out to your market when you have a niche product. Particularly if it’s photogenic, and let’s face it – food can look fab! At times, it might feel as though you’re only managing to engage with small numbers and subsets, though. And that can be disheartening. But you know what? It’s a VERY targeted group of individuals you’re interacting with.

So… if you’re beginning to think that social media might actually make a difference to the marketing of your speciality food products and offering, what should you be doing?

Top tips for engaging on social media when you’re a speciality food producer

As with any marketing strategy, it’s best to start by asking yourself a few questions.

Who are you trying to reach?

Before you schedule another Facebook post, or plan another tweet, stop and think! Who are you trying to engage? Why would they be interested? What do you want them to do? Clearly a whole raft of other details like age, gender, social circles, and influencing trends, need to be ascertained, but those questions need answers first. Is it gourmet foodies you’re chasing down? People who are into health? Or are you hunting folk who love to cook with great ingredients? What does your target audience look like on paper?

Where will your particular target audience hang out?

Different platforms appeal to different generations, as well as people with different interests and focus. And it’s worth noting that it seems there’s less disparity between the sexes these days than you’d think. Ask yourself if your audience is B2B or B2C? Is it food retailers or the consumer you’re after? Speciality foods will often work well on particularly visual platforms, but different customer bases hang out in different places. One very important point to note, though, is that regardless of where you end up hanging out, it’s not about shoving your logo in front of everyone’s face. It’s about engaging their interest and interaction through striking posts and informative tips and news.

How do you become part of the chatter?

Social media providers are very well aware of the need to differentiate themselves, so each platform has its own method of pulling people together who have a shared interest. However that works, though… get involved! Join groups. Ask questions. Answer questions. Tell jokes. But don’t hide who you are. And, whatever you do, don’t just bombard them with branded material. Let them get to know you first. Build up trust. Don’t be salesy, be helpful and knowledgeable. Showcase your expertise and understanding of their interests and needs. It’ll be a slow burn but it’s worth taking this approach.

How can you begin to promote your products?

Rather than direct selling, social media really works best when fun is involved. Think about contests, giveaways, and quizzes you can start to get traction with. Are you bringing you a new product line? Run a competition to name it! Who knows, a funky little bit of video might go viral. By keeping things carefully focused but light-hearted, your foody audience will relax when they see your posts and start to share. When the sharing begins, you know you’re making really good headway.

How do you stay focused?

Never, ever, try to be all things to all people. Targeted posts that connect with a specific few will ALWAYS be more powerful than a generic message that only probes skin deep. Pick the platforms that will work best for your business and don’t be tempted to stray. Though, with that said, a periodic reassessment of how things are working and what can be improved and changed is always necessary.

A final word…

Social media is really worth considering if you’re a speciality food producer. It’s where a small business can rub shoulders with the big boys and still shine out. The ‘word’ of the people is a great leveller, and social media has a habit of providing the perfect platform for that levelling to take place. Yes, it does require regular attention. But when done correctly, time spent will reap rewards. You’re passionate about your business. Go get all those foodie gourmets out there passionate about it too!

What Should Recruiters Be Doing On Social Media?

183:687322897 (Claire Morton) — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 12:18:25 GMT

Social media plays an interesting multi-tiered role for recruitment agents

Social media plays an interesting multi-tiered role for recruitment consultants. On the one hand, they’re keen to attract new clients, promote their business services, and find businesses that need new staff. On the other hand, however, they’re also looking for the next prospective candidates they can put forward for interview. Not forgetting the different types of recruitment, ranging from permanent placements, to temporary placements, to sometimes something in-between.

When one realises how broad the reach of recruitment can be, it soon becomes apparent how useful social media might be. The key, though, is to get the messaging consistent, despite the diverse nature of the intended audience.

How can a recruitment consultant stay consistent?

It’s a good question. The answer is to understand the values and ethos your consultancy represents and then hold true to those things and your brand in every interaction. This will ensure that whichever audience you’re attempting to reach with a particular post, the underlying message will remain on brand, on message, and authentic.

Which platforms suit recruitment?

As you would expect, different platforms suit different needs. With regard to attracting new clients, one has to think about where those potential clients will ‘hang out’. LinkedIn is the best starting place, with Twitter sitting behind it in support. LinkedIn is very much the B2B of social media. And if you’re looking for companies who need to recruit, that’s a good place to start.

On the other hand, the answer to this question with respect to finding potential applicants is a bit more diverse, and really depends on the type of recruitment you are doing. E.g. is it temporary or permanent? And what type of positions you’re recruiting for? E.g. bar staff or senior management?

It’s worth exploring this a little further…

Liking LinkedIn

LinkedIn is business focused… big time. It’s about online schmoozing, networking, connecting, and engaging. As a platform it actually works for both potential clients and candidates. When people are on LinkedIn they are in business mode. They are often looking for job opportunities, or people to fill job opportunities. And the demographic information available is incredibly useful, in comparison to other platforms.

Having a twitter strategy

Business and personal opinion mix and hold hands on Twitter. It is a good platform to reach out to candidates, as well as build a brand for potential clients. A key way to maximise this is via hashtags. Always think to link your posts to relevant hashtags, be they be about recruitment, a geographical location…or both. It’s very possible someone searching will see your post at a time when they’re actively open to receiving that information.

Facing off on Facebook

Interestingly, Facebook is not nearly as easy a nut to crack as people think. You need to have a business page, and people need to have ‘liked’ it to be presented with your posts in their news stream. It does have its place for attracting candidates, possibly more so than new clients, but it has to be done carefully. Facebook is about personality and engagement. It’s not about transmitting. Facebook users are presented with so many adverts, one more in their stream is likely to be dismissed by their eye before their brain even registers it. Far more effective, therefore, is to build your name via the personality of your brand. That’s done through posting interesting, relevant information about how to get a job, about your location, and about the individuals who work for you.

Summary thoughts

The key with social media for recruitment is to follow some strict rules:

· Understand your audience – Research the demographics; use what the platforms offer to do this.

· Research key terms – Understand what your audience – either clients or candidates – are searching for and use those key terms in your posts.

· Engage your audience, don’t transmit – Provide genuinely useful information and encourage people to interact.

· Be helpful and share content – Do as you would be done by, as they say.

· Always respond – Positive comments, neutral comments, negative comments, you’ll get them all. But whatever comes along each day, always respond constructively. It’s amazing how quickly a negative can be turned into a positive when handled well. But it’s equally scary how it can work the other way.

· Whichever platforms you choose, use them – Out of sight is out of mind; consistency and regular appearances make a difference.

What Should Letting Agents Be Doing On Social Media?

183:687322897 (Claire Morton) — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 13:42:43 GMT

Top tips for letting agents to maximise their opportunities using social media

What Should Letting Agents Be Doing On Social Media?

When it comes to letting agents doing ‘social media’, you’d think there were some obvious high-fives when it comes to what they should post. And we suspect that property-to-let would be top of your list. But actually, that’s not so… Engaging with your audience is the name of the game, not just transmitting. And in order for those few (!) property-to-let posts to really reach the parts that other letting agents cannot reach, this is what we recommend.

Our Top Tips...

Property has its Place

Rightmove, Zoopla, whichever property portals you use, remember you use them because they are often the first place a prospective customer will search for somewhere to rent. So you’ll already have that bit covered. Social media, on the other hand, is where people go for interesting updates and fun news. So save your best, or most quirky, properties for the social media platforms. Make them fun or interesting enough for people to want to share or tag their friends. And don’t do it every day.

Get Vocal about Local

Lettings are all about geography, and tenants are usually looking for a home in a specific location. Landlords often like to keep their portfolios within a particular locale too. So why not catch the eye of both those markets with local news and updates. Your knowledge of the area will be reinforced by your enthusiasm for it. Follow local papers, media channels, charities and businesses and spread the local word. Illustrate how you are part of the community.

Show the Human Side of your Business

People buy from people, it’s an old saying; but the old ones are usually the good ones. If there are fun things happening in your office, share them. Let your audience get to know the individuals involved. It will make it much easier for someone to pick up the phone and speak to you when they want to.

Pictures Catch the Eye

As often as you can, use a relevant image to go with your posts. With smartphone cameras taking excellent quality pictures these days, it’s easy to take the photos you need and then upload them onto a post. NB: Always get permission to use someone else’s pictures, however.

Be THE Blog Bod!

An easy to read, informative blog article written about a letting issue, property tip, or industry piece of news each week will build up your credibility as a trusted business. Posting about your latest blog will help extend your social media reach, and social media will help you build up your mailing list. It’s win win when it comes to time spent on it.

Don’t be too Salesy

Social media is about catching the eye and connecting, not about the short term sale. At best, a reader’s eyes will simply bounce off a hard-selling post. At worst, however, you’ll find yourself blocked, or reported.

Don’t Overdo the Gimmicks

By all means keep abreast of the latest apps for creating content. Make use of those easy animated gif makers. Pull together great little videos of property pics. Use those funky colour backgrounds. But don’t do any of one type too much. Less is more, as they always say. Don’t risk irritating your audience.

Proofread Three Times, at LEAST

Most people say their spelling is atrocious, but they’ll spot a typo or spelling mistake without realising. Don’t blot the reputation of your brand with poor spelling and grammar. Just take a little extra care each time.

Always Respond

If what you’re aiming for with every post is for people to engage with you, then make sure you respond every time they do. People like to know there is an actual human being manning a social media account. There are too many scheduling programmes and automated post creators churning out content for you to miss this trick.

10 Reasons You Should Love Blogging

183:687322897 (Claire Morton) — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Blog posts are a great way to get recognised within your community and share your voice. Here are the top 10 reasons you should love writing blog posts.

Anyone can make one:
For better or worse, anyone can write a blog post about anything they want. Everyone has a voice and the best voices will rise to the top.

The writer can show their personality:
In blog posts, the writer has more leeway to add in their voice and personality than other types of writing.

Blogs are a great form of mass communication:
You can help people, learn new things, entertain your audience— the possibilities are endless and amazing. Blogging opens up all of these to a very wide audience.

You can make money:
Get the right blog going and you can make a lot of money through advertising and sponsored posts.

It allows people to craft better thoughts:
Instead of reading haphazard, uneducated Facebook statuses, it’s much better to see people’s thought process in a well-written blog post.

You can establish a community:
Blogging allows you to connect with other individuals who share the same interests. Sharing ideas and opinions within your community helps establish yourself as a thought leader.

Good for SEO:
Keeping content on your site fresh and relevant, you can use your blog to boost the search engine ranking (SEO) of your site and your business.

It brings people back to your site:
If your blog is strong enough and updated regularly, people will come back looking for more and bring traffic back to your site as well.

It’s free:
It costs you a grand total of zero dollars to post to the blog, so if you have something to say, there’s nothing to stop you.

You can establish yourself as a thought leader:
A blog is a great place for your original thoughts, and it can be a wonderful way to show off your individuality. If people like your ideas, you can become a thought leader in your industry!

What else do you love about blogs? Let me know!