Some of my favorite bloggers have become just that not only because they share amazing content on their sites, but because they continue that onto social media.
I always look forward to snaps and tales of NYC from Hallie and Hitha. I’m excited to watch as Victoria settles her roots back into San Francisco soil. Felicia always shares the best thought provoking articles, book recs and snaps of inspired and incredibly healthy recipes. I love that Whitney is always cooking up a new creative venture.
All of these amazing women, I’d venture to say, spend time curating on site as well as off site. And the pay out is definitely evident.
Because the fact is you can tweet out links to your posts every hour, or join online communities of bloggers for the #shamelessplug back to your site, but providing direction doesn’t guarantee leading someone to your site. Your blog readers, followers or what have you are looking for that common thread that goes beyond that content was useful.
In short: they’re looking for you –the flawed, curious, interesting and humanized you.
Now, I know that last statement may be a bit controversial when you consider how much editing and picking and choosing goes into what gets shared on social. True, I get that. But the point is that using social gives you a chance to connect with followers a bit deeper, and then convert those followers to visitors to your site.
I tried to get to the root of just what makes me enjoy some of my favorite and most successful blogger’s social profiles, and I came up with these six elements —
six things successful bloggers do on social media
1. They spark conversations about what they’re passionate about. If you blog about organization and productivity, keep that conversation going off the blog as well. Be on the lookout for articles and images to share that keep your brand in the mix.
2. They take time to create quality content. Taking the extra few minutes to edit that photo before you Instagram or scheduling a few social posts to go live throughout the day makes a huge difference.
3. They build community. A great example of someone building community towards her brand using social is Lauren of Elle & Co. Her weekly Twitter chats connect her blog readers with could-be readers in a common forum. The B Bar does an amazing job at this as well with their link ups and Twitter chats.
4. They keep it consistent. This is the key to success in almost everything. Make a plan for each social platform you’d like to tackle and stick to it.
5. They showcase their brand values. Promote things on social media that really back up and further your brand’s values. This includes the other brands you select to collaborate with and promote on your channels.
6. They constantly encourage curiosity. I just recently started following bloggers on SnapChat and I’m loving it! Just watching bloggers do their every day things –heading to work, grabbing coffee, makes me excited for the projects they’re working on behind the scenes. Showing sneak peaks is always nice, too.
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Oh, and something in my head: would anyone be interested in attending an online webinar/class on social media? I’m thinking – Creating a Social Media Plan 101. It’d be targeted to bloggers and small business owners, aspiring or otherwise! I though I’d put some feelers out before diving into this one. Thoughts?
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I’ve never understood how to use Twitter or Snapchat properly so I don’t use them often, but I think I’ll definitely check it out a Twitter chat and follow some bloggers on Snapchat 🙂 Who knew Snapchat would be a form of connecting bloggers to their readers! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
I will be doing social media freelance work soon so I would totally attend an online webinar!
I would love to attend the webinar! I’ve never attended a webinar before, but always been curious. Social media is something I’ve really been trying to work on recently, especially in creating a cohesive brand between my website, blog, and instagram (for some reason my instagram has it’s own mind!).
Thanks for these tips! You def got my gears spinning 🙂
I found you through twitter. Nice post 🙂 You were able to pinpoint exactly what the “it” factors are for online brands/personalities. Content, consistency and letting their passions shine through their work (across all platforms) is key. It’s like they are 3D in a land of one dimensional sameness. I recognize it..now I need to try and make that transition! (I really think I need to work on a blog business plan or some sort of global strategy to work from…I’m kind of all over the place LOL) A Webinar sounds really great..
Loved this! I’m so down for social media 101!