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Writing for Social Media: 10 Copywriting Hacks That Drive Clicks
~*~*Let’s give ’em something to write about*~*~
Yep, we’re starting your Monday off with a classic Bonnie Raitt song from ’95. Why? Because today’s Carnage is something you’re gonna want to write about…well it’s actually about writing, but same idea.
Anyway, the words that you write for your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram posts really matter. If you’re not putting serious effort into writing those posts, you. are. messing. up.
If you wanna get serious about your social copywriting, follow these rules:
- Rule #1: Focus on the reader. Let’s say you’re announcing something new, and you’re writing starts with, “We’re excited…” Then stop and rewrite that. Don’t start by talking about yourself. Start by talking about how this new thing will help your customers. Example: “Struggling with xyz?”
- Rule #2: Tell a story. People love reading and telling stories. That’s how we communicate with friends, coworkers, randoms on the street, etc. Social media should be the same. Don’t write, “we’ve reached 1,000 customers!!!” Instead, tell the story of how you got there.
- Rule #3: Use analogies. Metaphors, similes, and analogies make it easier for your audience to understand what you’re talking about. For example, if you’re writing about blockchain, don’t just write, “It’s impossible to hack information that uses blockchain technology.” Instead, try something like, “Blockchain is best explained as being the same as our DNA. Consequently, hacking it would be as impossible as changing a sequence of a genetic code.” See how much more engaging that is? Do that.
- Rule #4: Write the way people talk. This is our favorite rule. Jordyn (our lead copywriter) always says, “Just because it’s good grammar doesn’t mean it’s good copy.” Take that advice, print it out, tape it to your wall, and never forget it. You need to be pretty lax with grammar rules on social media.
- Rule #5: Have your own tone. Wait…forget what we said about Rule #4 being our favorite…this is actually our favorite rule. The right tone of voice can be a huge differentiator for your brand. Just look at Wendy’s Twitter.
Well, would ya look at that, we’re outta room. Still more rules we haven’t covered…
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Chicago (Red) Bulls
…shoot, wrong sport.
The agency behind the Daily Carnage makes its home in Pittsburgh, so we’re Pittsburgh Pirates fans. That means we automatically don’t like any division rival, especially the Chicago Cubs (we’re actually just jealous of their success).
But as much as we don’t like the Cubs, we can’t help but like their star player, Kris Bryant. He’s too dang likable. The dude is a beast on the field and, by all accounts, a really good guy.
Case in point, he teamed up with Red Bull to pull some harmless pranks on unsuspecting Cubs fans in today’s Watch. It kind of has an Undercover Boss feeling to it since Kris is disguised as a pizza delivery driver—complete with a ’90s hairpiece and wire-frame glasses. Unlike Undercover Boss, no one cries at the end of this one.
“Creativity is like washing a pig. It’s messy. It has no rules. No clear beginning, middle, or end. It’s kind of a pain in the ass, and when you’re done, you’re not sure if the pig is really clean or even why you were washing a pig in the first place.”
Luke Sullivan
