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Content Strategy
December 21, 2015

Social Media Tips in Time for the Holidays

With the holiday season well underway, social media becomes the vehicle for displaying holiday spirit. In a perfect world, there would be enough social content to avoid cross posting on social networks, however, more often than not my content cache leaves a lot to be desired. Posting the same image across social networks doesn't always have to result in criticism and unfollows, if you tailor your post to the platform accordingly.

Like many dog moms during the holidays, I took Guinness to get his picture taken with Santa and wanted to share the experience with my friends and family online. Even though engagement metrics only serve as bragging rights on most personal social accounts, I still wanted to practice what I preach as a digital marketer, while posting the same image to three different mediums. To maximize your online efforts, it's important to adapt your post to the medium. While similar in some respects, each social medium utilizes different features that enhance the platform appropriately.

The biggest criticism of cross posting between networks is the lazy impression it gives to your audience. It's important to tailor your message to the appropriate channel to not only demonstrate you're making the effort, but also to prevent using inappropriate jargon on the wrong medium. You wouldn't tweet a full-length PR story 140 characters at a time or use "favorite" and "retweet" jargon on Facebook, so do not share your content to inapplicable mediums. Instead, speak to the network's inherent purpose and adapt your content to the proper medium.

So how do you adapt one image to three social platforms?

Facebook: At first Guinness was clearly a little apprehensive about meeting a big, bearded man in a red suit (can't image why), but he eventually warmed up to the holiday spirit. Merry Christmas, family and friends!

Twitter: Meeting Santa for the first time: the genuine photo vs. the Christmas card. #HappyHolidays #Christmas2015

Instagram: #MRW meeting a complete stranger in a big, red suit...until that stranger bribes me with dog treats and squeaky toys. #Christmas2015 #DogsofInstagram

As you can see, the same message was executed three different ways, based on the platform the image was posted to. Posting your image on different social channels increases the reach of your post and adapting the execution of the image to the channel, increases the likelihood of better post engagement. As much as I love my dog, I'm aware that no one wants to see the same image of Guinness with the same post copy three different times. Switch it up and get creative!

Happy holiday posting everyone!

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