Social Media Trick Writing

May, 2019

Fearless and full of fancy, trick riders flash their skills and leave you wanting the next crazy.

Yancey Red’s great-granddaughter is gearing up for rodeo season by dreaming her vivid trick riding inclinations. It could be her Russian roots (not from the Yancey side), her mad animal skills, or her love of the stage that makes her cherish the modern day cowgirl. Whatever the source, she’s got the appetite.

Creating content for social media isn’t at all like trick riding. You don’t need a strong core to write dope copy. Showy outfits may put you in the mood, but it’s usually not necessary (there are exceptions). And the rodeo circuit moves at a much faster pace than your flying fingers.

Trick riders are daringly visionary women who train for excellence and risk injury. And there aren’t very many of them.

While trick riders are up at dawn performing safety checks, social media content writers can usually get by without peril while solely working on their typing muscles. The good ones, the people who read well-written books for fun, maybe have written a book or two themselves, the witty, creative, smartypants writers, these are the people you want writing your social media content.

We’ve published about how to write your own blogs. But what about the actual craft of writing for social media?

What makes for good social media writing?

Link Humans, a UK branding agency, says “don’t be all me, me, me.” That translates to making sure your social media manager knows how to create strategy that includes content diversification beyond your own business. Yes, that makes sense, but strategy doesn’t yield words that work well.

There’s a site out there (we won’t share the link) that provides a free “proven formula” for successful social media writing. Not even joking. Apparently, each social media platform has a precise writing method that will make your business ultra successful. We’re gonna tell you now, it’s not quite like that in real life.

Here are three writing tips for you and your social media manager:

1. Use your casual voice.

That’s the first advice from Agorapulse, a social media management tool. “Understand that your social media accounts are not supposed to be a replica of your website. Even if you are a serious corporate brand, you will need to soften your tone and make it more casual.”

2. Shift your writing style on every social media platform.

What works for LinkedIn isn’t going to fly on Pinterest. LinkedIn is more buttoned up and professional, while Pinterest is about the visual description.

LinkedIn example:
These two important social media starter tips will help even the seasoned cowgirl keep it together on social media. #socialmediamanger

Pinterest example:
Even if this isn’t your first rodeo, stay tuned…These two radiant social media starter tips will help even the seasoned cowgirl keep it together while wearing the most awesome boots. #socialmedia #cowgirlboots #allcattle #cutehat

3. Put your Call To Action out there.

Ask for what you want. Just because you’re putting your vibe online doesn’t mean it’ll rain customers. You have to ask people to take action - this is called your Call To Action (CTA).

A CTA isn’t always about you and your business. “Buy now” and “Order here” prompts are great, but so is asking open-ended questions of your followers.

Ask for their attention by including them in the conversation. Examples:

Roof cleaning company showing photos of random found objects on roofs:
What odd things have you found on your roof?

Meal delivery service showing a carousel of photos:
Check out our meals this week and let us know your favorite.

Here’s the thing, your followers want to be informed and entertained at the same time. They want to feel good and have their interest peaked. They are waiting for you to get their attention.

Now remember, keep it interesting and live your red.