Stand out with new types of content
There’s a lot of the same stuff floating around on social media.
You know what I mean.
You log into Twitter and see tons of blog posts being shared in a similar format.
Then, you scroll down your Instagram feed and see loads of styled photos that look like they could all be from the same account.
After that, you get on Facebook and notice the same thing:
Nothing stands out.
Are you guilty of posting the same kind of content over and over?
If so, it’s time to make a change so you can really get noticed on social media.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s good to follow some best practices and share content that you know will drive results for your business.
But you shouldn’t be afraid to take risks and share unique stuff too.
Let’s talk about 3 unusual content ideas you can use to get more social media engagement and set yourself apart from the competition.
1. Comics
That’s right – comics aren’t just for spandex-clad superheroes anymore. You can totally use them to boost your brand’s online presence.
Take a look at this example from Bradbury & Partners:
See how that works?
They’ve shared a comic specifically related to their business – something that’s relevant to their target audience.
If you want to create comics for social media (or share someone else’s comics), make sure you stay relevant to your target audience too. You want to tell a story that they can really relate to.
For example, I run a blog that helps freelance writers learn how to win clients. So, I hired an illustrator to create a comic called “Confessions of a Freelance Writer” for my blog.
Here’s the most recent one:
I’ve found that these tend to get the most engagement when I share them on Twitter (as opposed to other social networks). But I suggest testing comics out elsewhere too – your results will depend on where your target audience hangs out.
2. Branded social proof graphics
Social proof is key to building trust with your potential customers. And trust is important – it’s what makes them feel comfortable buying from you.
One of the most effective types of social proof?
Customer testimonials/reviews.
And I’m not just saying that – research shows that about 70% of online consumers look at a product review before making a purchase. On top of that, consumers trust reviews 12 times more than they trust sales copy and product descriptions.
Now, you may already be using social proof on your company website. But have you ever considered sharing those testimonials on social media too?
If not, try it out. You can create a branded social proof graphic in a matter of minutes using a design tool like Canva.
Here’s an example from entrepreneur Melyssa Griffin:
She shared this graphic on Instagram during the launch of her online course, Pinfinite Growth.
If you decide you want to create a testimonial/review graphic, make sure you get the customer’s permission first. That way, you can avoid any potential legal issues.
You could also create a graphic showing an award your company won, like in this example from Hubspot’s Instagram feed:
Sharing something like this is a great way to build credibility.
And the more credibility you build, the more likely your potential customers will be to trust your brand.
3. Twitter polls
Everyone wants to feel like their voice is being heard. And your business can make the most of that by creating a Twitter poll.
Here’s an example of one I made to get feedback from my following:
To create your own Twitter poll, log into your account, and click inside the “What’s happening?” box at the top of your feed.
Then, you’ll see several options pop up. One of those options is a bar graph icon.
Click it, and you can start creating your poll.
Twitter makes the process pretty simple – you simply add your question and up to 4 options for your followers to choose from.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to use this tool to collect data. You can simply use it to build your brand and drive engagement.
Take a look at these examples of unusual Twitter polls from Denny’s:
Obviously, they’re not using Twitter polls to collect data. They’re using them to show off their sense of humor and create a strong brand voice.
I mean, do you know any other restaurants using a similar approach?
I don’t.
Denny’s really stands out. And it works.
Seriously – you’ll find blog post after blog post online about how successful this social media strategy has been for them.
A word of warning:
You may not want to be as casual as Denny’s in your approach to Twitter polls (and marketing in general).
It works for them because they’ve identified their target audience and know how to create content tailored to that audience.
Think about the target audience for your business, and come up with content ideas based on what you know they’ll enjoy.
The main takeaway here? Be human online.
Whether you’re marketing to college students or big-shot CEOs, you’re still marketing to people.
And you won’t catch people’s attention with bland, stuffy content that reads like it was written by a robot.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you need to be super informal.
But make sure you do come across as human on social media, regardless of the content you share.
Because knowing your target audience and consistently sharing content that interests them is what will put you on a path to social media success.
