What are some ways to create shareable content for small businesses?

Some challenges small businesses face include: 1. Limited resources in terms of time, manpower, and budgets 2. Properly identifying my target audience based on insufficient data and insights 3. Consistently generating content, amplifying reach and engagement, and measuring effectiveness requires time and effort 4. Engagement is key! I start by building meaningful relationships by commenting on posts that align with my goals 5. Constantly generating posts that don't receive reactions or comments is wasted time. I spend it by engaging in other posts to showcase my skills, knowledge, and expertise.

This is far too broad of a question to answer in such a short space. First, a business has to clearly identify its needs, shortcomings, strengths, and opportunities, and then the purpose of sharing content to begin with. Too often, content is shared without direction, much in the way that team meetings often have no real point or value. Unless those first points are given proper attention, the manner of sharing is of little to no value.

Getting your audience right on social media is crucial. Start with building a customer persona, but go beyond basic stats. Age and location help, but it's the deeper stuff that counts. Think Ozzy Osbourne vs. King Philip - similar age, vastly different tastes. So, with your persona, dig into interests, values, and habits. It's not just about age or where they live; it's about what they love, laugh at, and look forward to. By focusing on these details, you'll find genuine connections and make content that resonates. Always remember, the real magic is in the details. Top Tip: Keep your customer persona handy when creating content so it feels like the content you are creating is really speaking to your audience.

As a Translator and a new Founder, I believe shareable content for small businesses hinges on audience understanding, delivering high-quality, informative visuals, storytelling, and encouraging user-generated content. Understanding your target audience's preferences and pain points is paramount. Crafting well-researched, valuable content in the form of visuals and engaging stories fosters shareability. Moreover, leveraging user-generated content by encouraging customers to share their experiences can boost brand trust and visibility. Educational content, such as how-to guides and tips, also entices sharing, as people appreciate valuable insights.

Small businesses can benefit from various strategies and factors contributing to their growth: 1. Effective Marketing and Online Presence: Developing a strong online presence is essential in today's digital age. Create a user-friendly website and establish a presence on social media platforms relevant to your target audience. 2. Financial Management and Planning: Financial management is crucial for small business growth. Maintain accurate financial records, track expenses, and manage cash flow effectively. 3. Customer-Centric Approach: Building strong customer relationships and providing exceptional customer service can set your business apart from competitors.

Problem-solving is a crucial skill for small business owners. Here are some effective steps to solve problems in a small business: 1. Define the Problem: 2. Gather Information: 3. Set Clear Objectives: 4. Generate Potential Solutions: 5. Evaluate and Prioritize Solutions: 6. Select the Best Solution: 7. Develop an Action Plan: 8. Implement the Solution: 9. Evaluate and Adjust: 10. Learn from the Process: 11. Seek Expert Advice: 12. Stay Resilient and Persistent: Remember that problem-solving is an ongoing process in business. Small business owners should cultivate a problem-solving mindset and be proactive in addressing issues as they arise.

Each business, in its own way, offers value beyond just a product or service. By sharing content that underscores this, they're not just promoting what they do, but highlighting why it matters. Content that solves a problem for the customer is not just about offering a solution; it's about illustrating how your business can be the answer they've been seeking. How different businesses can do this: Solicitor: New property law change? A solicitor can offer a summary for homeowners, showcasing their expertise. Accountant: Tax rules keep changing. An accountant sharing easy-to-understand updates emphasises their value. Freelancer: A graphic designer can illustrate the power of branding with a logo transformation, underlining their skill.

Consider what your audience NEEDS from you right now. How can you provide something to them that they really want, will make their life easier, and will instantly make them want to share with their peers and colleagues? Your aim is for them to feel the need to talk about it or you at the next networking event they attend if your area of business comes up! Tips, templates, how to's, guides and listicles all lend themselves to being shareable pieces of content!

This is often the best way to make content accessible and shareable as long as you offer something valuable or educational that can address your audience's pain points and solve a problem. A walk-through video, a template to use and save valuable time, helpful tips or examples of success stories can be positive motivators to learn from these are all helpful resources that can work really well.

Many content marketers and content creators get stressed trying to come up with unique content that no one's ever seen before. It’s important to have original ideas, so do your best to come up with as original ones as you can think of. But the reality is that the chances of you coming up with a completely brand-new idea are pretty slim. As King Solomon said, “There’s nothing new under the sun!” It’s also important to realize that HOW you craft and present your ideas is what really matters when it comes to originality. Why? It’s the only real way for you to create anything that's new. So when speaking to their problems, your focus and concern should be on your HOW you creatively address them. That's what's going to capture attention.

Stories don't have to be long-winded or particularly clever. In fact that best ones are short, simple, get to the point quick and are easy to understand. Next time you realise that something you have said, done, or advice you have given has made an impact - share it with others. We all have different skill sets and what may seem obvious and common sense to you - may not actually be that obvious to most people.

Donald Miller’s Storybrand course is worth checking out. It teaches you how to create an engaging message/content to solving problems using the Hero-Conflict-Guide-Successful Outcome formula. It’s how many movies are made!

Storytelling has an innate ability to connect with people on a deeper level. Human brains are wired to resonate with stories, making them memorable and engaging. By humanizing your brand and showing the faces and emotions behind it, you foster genuine connections with your audience. Real, relatable stories, whether they showcase challenges, triumphs, or humble beginnings, give a context that pure data or facts can't. In an age where authenticity is valued, sharing genuine narratives can make your content not only shareable but also unforgettable.

Remember different people absorb information easier in different formats - some like to read, some like to listen and some like to see. Ideally content shared will combine all three. Using a graphic will often simplify a concept and make it easier to understand for the visual crowd. Also visuals also just help break up content on a page and make them feel less text heavy.

In today's digital age, visuals play a pivotal role in the way content is consumed. A compelling visual can say a thousand words, making complex ideas more digestible. Visuals not only enhance comprehension but also retention. Given the vast amount of content we're exposed to daily, an engaging visual can be the difference between scrolling past or stopping to engage. Whether it's the vibrant colors of an infographic or the relatable content of a meme, visuals evoke emotions, making content more memorable. So, for content to truly stand out and be shared, integrating eye-catching and relevant visuals is imperative.

Encouraging interaction transforms passive viewers into active participants. When your audience is engaged, they're not only more likely to share your content but also to remember it. By fostering a two-way dialogue, you're not just broadcasting a message; you're creating a community. This sense of belonging and being heard is what drives people to share with their networks. Furthermore, interaction brings in diverse perspectives, making content richer and more comprehensive. By making your audience a part of the conversation, you not only amplify your content's reach but also its resonance. After all, people want to be part of conversations, not just spectators. Interactive content offers an opportunity to create meaningful connections.

In my experience, the most shareable content is the kind that makes someone look insightful or interesting when they pass it along. People often share posts because: -They find them funny, believing their friends or followers will laugh too. -They feel an emotional connection -They believe the content offers valuable insights -The content supports a cause or belief close to their heart. -They find the content relatable. -The visuals are striking. -There's an unexpected twist or revelation that catches them off guard. -The content offers a fresh take -Sharing it makes them feel part of a community -The content taps into current trends or events

Sometimes experts like to "show off" their expertise by using "industry jargon." We often forget that a great way to reach other people is to explain it to them at an elementary school level. I've seen this from both sides, where someone is talking to me and I feel like it's all going over my head, or where I'm talking to someone and they need to remind me to slow down. K.I.S.S. is a good term to remember. Keep It Simple