ou’ve sufficiently answered the Questions To Ask Yourself Before Engaging in Social Media, have settled on the channels you’ll engage with and have your profiles ready to go.

So now what? What’s next? What do you start sharing with the world?

It’s time to create a content strategy. (And yes, you need a strategy!) Here are a few tips to help get you started.I like to think of this as Social Media Content 101:1. Create a calendar.

It seems like extra work, but taking the time to schedule out content can actually inspire new ideas. Identify seasons, themes and events relevant to your business, and start forming content categories. For more detailed steps and templates, check out Convince & Convert.

2. Create content specific to each channel.

Instagram (for example) is a vastly different medium than Facebook and should be treated as such. While it’s ok to post similarly themed content across your channels, make sure to alter the message according to the medium. (Obviously Twitter forces you to do this by allowing only 140 characters.) Rely on auto posting from one medium to another more as an exception than a rule.

3. Create beautiful images.

Take the time to design images and take photos specifically for your social channels, and size them correctly. That means that for every theme listed on your calendar, you should be creating images that correspond to that theme. Stats show that posts and tweets with images get higher engagement (clicks).

3. Create value for your followers.

In addition to inviting your audience to your latest event or asking them to try your product, be sure to provide them with information related to your brand that enriches their lives. Helpful tips. Inspirational quotes. Exclusive discounts. Humorous anecdotes. And of course, the chance to win free stuff through contests doesn’t hurt either. People are more likely to share/retweet/regram content that could their friends would enjoy too.

5. Create a conversation.

In real-life interactions, no one wants to listen to you talk non-stop without the chance to respond. Social media is no different. Offer the opportunity to engage in a thoughtful, fun or even silly dialogue with your brand. Ask questions. Solicit feedback. Give your followers a platform to voice their opinions, and respond/reward their engagement.

Hopefully this will help start what could be a fruitful and long-standing social relationship with your customers. What other things do you consider before creating a social media content strategy?

Sources:

• Twitter engagement stats: Buffer
• Facebook engagement stats: Fast Company

Image credit: LOHAS