How To Stay Active On Social Media Without Annoying Online Learners
In the beginning, social media was a tool for staying in touch with family and friends. But now it is a valuable asset that helps eLearning brands promote their products and stay in touch with online learners. You have the power to share updates, offer sneak previews, and even host live eLearning events in real time. However, if you annoy online learners, they’ll skip right past your content. Worse, they may unfollow your social media page or block it altogether. How can you stay fresh in their minds without driving them up the wall?
1. Proofread Your Posts
There’s a popular internet saying that if you want more comments on your post, just make a typo. Nothing frustrates followers quite like bad grammar and spelling. Sometimes errors can even turn into a negative meme or hashtag. This will boost your numbers if it goes viral, but it can also damage your reputation. Avoid the drama by double-checking everything before you post it. You might think you can fix it with the ‘edit’ function, but beware the power of the screenshot. Always spell check, just to be safe. When in doubt, ask a colleague or collaborator to review the post before you publish it. They can also provide feedback on the length and subject matter. For instance, whether it includes all the essentials or barrages readers with too much information.
2. Give Readers What They Want
Online learners are less likely to be annoyed by a post if it gives them the information they need. Thus, you should research your audience to identify their expectations and topics of interest. As an example, informative tips that help them bridge a skill gap or solve an everyday challenge. If you’re unsure about what they want, conduct surveys and polls using the same social media platforms. That said, there can be too much of a good thing. Don’t flood their feeds with countless problem-solving techniques or insider tips. You might consider a posting schedule that outlines which topics to cover and when. This reduces the risk of redundant content and helps you research the subject matter ahead of time. Thus, your posts are more polished and accurate.
3. Tread Lightly With Trends
When a topic is trending, it’s tempting to piggy-back. However, not all trends are relevant to your eLearning course. Some might reflect badly on your brand. Others seem so forced that you will irk customers, as they may feel you’re trying too hard. It’s okay to contribute to a hashtag, but make it count. Put some thought into it, and stay on brand. This can be challenging because trends can last two seconds or two weeks. Consider hiring a social media manager who is savvy with the online world. They can easily stay on top of things and keep your brand relevant, as well as provide online learners with regular updates and announcements.
4. Keep It Brief And Tell A Story
Initially, social media platforms had character limits, but these are swiftly expanding. Facebook no longer restricts you to 500 characters, and Twitter is currently at 280. But just because you have more space doesn’t mean you have to use it. Online learners won’t bother to read three paragraphs describing your eLearning course or product. Save that for the press release.
On social media, anecdotes work better. So instead of saying how your eLearning course has engaging characters and relevant content, tell a story. Introduce your audience to the key character in your eLearning course, and share some trivia. Invite online discussions on a specific area of your eLearning course by posting a leading question. Use fun and informative visuals, video, and polls to engage fans.
5. Post With A Purpose
Consistency trumps quantity. Everything you upload on social media has to have a solid strategy behind it. Don’t just post twice a day because you think you should. Have a reason for hitting ‘enter’. It helps to have a content calendar with pillars. For example, you could divide your material into trivia, brand background, product information, and so on.
When you jump on a trend, you can ensure relevance by linking it to one of your pillars. Posts don’t just include your own content. You should comment on relevant posts, and retweet/share ideas that support your mission and vision. Never use an auto-responder, it usually won’t end well. Answer questions and comments in a timely, relevant, human fashion.
6. Keep Business And Pleasure Separate
Although it’s important to show fans that there’s an actual person behind your social media accounts, there’s a fine line. You need to develop a brand persona and stick to it all times. This is important because different employees can maintain a consistent presence. The brand voice assures trust and credibility, so don’t sneak into your own personality too much. There are exceptions, of course, like customer care or joint campaigns. In such cases, individual team members can inject a personal touch. However, you shouldn’t engage personal contacts, at least not deliberately. Use different browsers or devices for your personal and brand accounts to avoid mix-ups, which minimizes the nightmare of cross-posting.
eLearning professionals need to walk the thin line between being visible and being annoying. You have to post enough so that online learners know you, but not enough that they block you. Make sure your spelling and grammar are on point, and be consistent. Don’t jump on trends unless you can contextually tie them to your brand. These 6 social media tips can help you engage with your audience and expand your online presence.
How can your company benefit from an active social media presence? Are there any downsides you should consider? Read the article The Use Of Social Media In Online Training: Benefits And Drawbacks to discover the advantages and drawbacks of using social media in online training.