3 Tips for When You Don’t Know What To Say on Social Media
Do you ever feel like you just don't know what to say on social media?
Well…I can tell you that you're not alone. Not only have I heard the sentiment from so many people planning their social media content, I've felt it myself.
I know, I do social media for a living, how is that possible?!
When it comes to creating content for @socialwithpurpose on Instagram, even with well-laid strategies and plans, I still sometimes feel a mental roadblock.
But, with years of experience comes strategies to overcome these roadblocks, so here are some of my tips to overcome mental roadblocks that get in the way of creating content for social media (and not just any content – content that feels authentic to you and that you're excited to share with the world!)
1. Re-center your “why”
Ask yourself the following questions to re-center yourself with why you (or your organization) are showing up on social media:
What do I want to be known for?
Who do I want to connect with?
How do I want to make people feel?
What do I want my audience to take away from my content?
What would success look like as a long-term result of social media?
2. Create content pillars
I know I know, not another person talking about dang content pillars! They're such a popular topic in the social media space because they work by giving you a plan and a structure for your social media content.
It's like building a piece of Ikea furniture without the instructions. You might get it done, but it'll probably be half the quality and take double the time.
Your content pillars should be the main 3-5 topics you will post about based on the answers to the questions in #1. Think deeper than “educate, entertain, inspire, promote.” For example, a nonprofit organization dealing with advocacy might have content pillars like:
Policy & advocacy updates
Explainers
Impact stories
Community & ways to get involved
About the organization
You could get even more granular than that because not only will you focus on policy & advocacy, you’ll focus on policies related to your mission.
The goal is that when you sit down to create content, these categories strike inspiration and give you a plan of action for what topics to dive into.
3. Adopt a social media schedule that works for you
Figure out a content workflow that will keep you inspired. Some people prefer to make content in monthly batches, like I do for my clients' content.
But, for Social with Purpose I prefer to create content weekly. I don't need to worry about what to say for 16 posts at a time, just 4, which reduces overwhelm.
Others might prefer to do graphics all at once, or work through one post at a time. Figure out what works for you and set time for it on your schedule.
And you don't need me to tell you, but allow yourself to take a break.* I know there have been times when I've needed it. There have also been times when I've felt like pushing myself through the rut because I knew that getting started would be the toughest part, so listen to your instincts.
*One more thing on taking breaks: set some guardrails for yourself, especially if you're creating content for a business or organization. Once you're out of the habit, it's a lot tougher to get back into it, and you don't want to abandon your community completely. You could set a time limit for the break, ask someone else to step in temporarily, or repurpose old content for the time being.
I honestly find it shocking any time I meet nonprofit leaders who don’t know what to say on social media, and I've heard it time and time again.
What advice might the leader of a youth mentorship organization have to share for youth on social media?
What stories might an executive director whose organization has helped thousands of individuals transition from incarceration tell?
In my mind, it's a no brainer: your experience and expertise can impact hearts and minds, you might just need some help pulling out and organizing the ideas.
If you’re looking for support with that, consulting with Social with Purpose is a great option! Book a complimentary discovery call to discuss our consulting services here.
