You know you need to share your online news releases on all your social media accounts. But you’re not simply clicking the “share” button and leaving the update as-is, are you?
There are better ways to get people to click on the link to your press release. Here are four strategies to help.
1. Pick a Highlight Your Audience Cares About
Remember that people care about themselves, not you. So the more appealing you can make your social update, the more likely they are to click. What is it about your news they’ll care about?
That could include a quote, statistic or interesting fact.
2. Spread the News Without the News Release
Sure, you want people reading your release, but your real objective is getting people to your site. So mix up your social updates and include some direct links to your site, especially the page that relates to your news.
Here’s a great example. Amazon shared the news that it now offered HBO programming through its Prime Instant Video platform.
The @HBO Collection is now available on Prime Instant Video! What series will you watch first? http://t.co/h32DRYi1gl pic.twitter.com/BscOspq5hy
— Amazon (@amazon) May 21, 2014
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3. Ask a Question
Simply sharing the title of your press release is boring. Who wants to click on that? (See how I just engaged you by asking a question? You can do it too!). Using a question in a social media update is a fabulous way to get your followers’ attention, just like in this example.
4. Use a Hashtag
Hashtags — simply keywords preceded by “#” — are popular on Twitter and Google +, and help direct people to content they’re interested in. When you share your news, include a relevant hashtag so that anyone following it sees your news.
Don’t take the lazy route and just click the Share button on your press release. Spend some time crafting custom shares, and schedule them for a week or so after your news goes live.
Susan Payton is the President of Egg Marketing & Communications, where she helps her clients realize the benefits of social media, content marketing and blogging.
Image: kalupa (Creative Commons)
