Last week I talked about 7 types of social media posts that get results.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be delving into each of those 7 types of posts in more detail. Starting with 7 types of educational social media posts.
What are educational social media posts?
Educational social media posts are exactly what the name says. They educate people through tips, tricks, tutorials, and other knowledge nuggets that your ideal clients can benefit from.
In a nutshell, educational posts offer real value to your ideal clients and position you as an expert. Essentially, it's a post where you're teaching (or educating) people about something new or you're providing a solution to a problem they might have through education/knowledge.
Educational posts are a great way to demonstrate to your ideal clients that you get them. You understand who they are and what they want or need. And you're here to provide them with whatever it is they want/need.
Why are educational social media posts so effective?
Educational social media posts are so effective because people use social media to learn. Also, we are now seeing a trend of younger people using social media as a search engine over Google.
According to Hootsuite 50+ important TikTok Stats Marketers Need to Know in 2023 “Gen Z uses TikTok as a search engine: nearly 40% of this demographic prefers searching for info on TikTok and Instagram over Google.”
And in their Digital Trends Report 2022, “The main reasons people use social media is to stay in touch with friends and family, fill spare time, and read the news.”
So, by sharing educational content (via social media), you're meeting your ideal client's needs and providing value to them.
But that's not all.
When you consistently share valuable information, your followers will come to see you as a go-to person or business for information in your field or industry. And this builds that all-important know, like, and trust factor.
But wait… there's more! Educational social media posts are great at driving traffic to your website.
When you share content that people want to read/learn/know, they are more likely to click through to your website to learn more (especially if your content is a snippet of info and you include a link to your blog or product description).
And once they're on your site, they're more likely to read your info (provided you're delivering that educational value), and stay longer on your website. Perhaps they'll take a little wander around your site, find out more about you, AND take action, whether that's making a purchase, filling out a form, subscribing to your email list, or something else.
So, that's why educational social media posts are so important.
6 Types of Educational Social Media Posts
Now, let's look at some of the different types of educational posts you can use.
1. How-to guides
One of the best ways to teach something on social media is by creating a how-to guide. These guides work like a map that tells you exactly what to do step by step. Whether it's a recipe, DIY project or a professional skill, by breaking it down into easy-to-follow instructions, you're giving your followers a chance to learn something new and accomplish what they're hoping to do.
The key to how-to guides is to share info that is relevant and of value to your ideal client. So you might create a post that asks a question, gives a snippet of an answer, and add a link to your website where they can find additional information.
Here's an example that a marketing agency might use:
“Want to know how to supercharge your marketing? The answer is simple: a well-crafted marketing strategy and effective implementation. Our latest blog covers the basics of how to write a successful marketing strategy and plan. Plus, we share some of our favourite marketing tactics and case studies to help you get inspired. Start your journey to marketing success today! Click the link in our bio to learn more. #marketing #digitalmarketing #socialmedia #strategy #branding #advertising #marketingtips #marketingagency”
2. Tips and tricks
Another great educational post is the tip or trick post.
Often referred to as Hacks, these types of posts share quick and easy ways to solve a problem or improve something. Tips and Tricks are great posts to really show your ideal clients that you understand them and their challenges.
Often short and sweet, Tips and Tricks really deliver when it comes to value for your ideal clients.
The key with Tips and Tricks is to keep it short and sweet and focus on a key problem that your ideal clients might be having – and show them how to fix it (using your product/services/knowledge in a non-icky, non-salesy way).
Here's an example of a marketing agency post. Notice the focus is improving email open rates. While there are four tips, they all relate to that one key thing.
“Are your email open rates falling flat? Don't worry, we've got you covered! Here are some quick tips to boost your open rates and make sure your emails are being seen:
- Write attention-grabbing subject lines that make your subscribers want to click and read more.
- Segment your email list to target specific groups with tailored content that interests them.
- Keep your emails short, sweet, and to the point. Nobody wants to read a novel in their inbox!
- Test your email send times to see when your subscribers are most active and likely to engage.
By implementing these tips, you'll see a noticeable improvement in your email open rates and overall engagement with your audience. Want more insights on how to improve your email marketing game? Check out our blog post for even more tips and tricks: [insert link here] #emailmarketing #marketingtips #digitalmarketing”
3. Infographic posts
Infographic posts are a great way to share educational content using a combination of text and graphics. Being visual, they turn complex information into an easy-to-understand format.
Infographic posts are highly shareable, which means you can reach more of your ideal clients. Plus, they make you look super cool and design-savvy!
A marketing agency, aka me, might create an infographic on 7 Types of Educational Social Media Posts. →
4. Case studies
Case studies are a really powerful way to educate your ideal clients on your expertise and, at the same time, provide value to them.
Case study posts share actual examples to your ideal clients, of how your product or service helped a customer solve their problem and/or achieve their goals. They can also include a call-to-action for potential customers (ideal clients) to contact you for help with their challenges.
Case Study posts provide, what we call social proof. Social proof is when you are demonstrating that your product or service has been successful in the past and that others have benefited from it. This really helps to build trust with your ideal clients because they see someone in the same or similar situation as they are in and can see how their problem can be solved.
Here's an example of a case study post for a marketing agency, demonstrating how they helped a client increase traffic to the website.
“Meet Jane, one of our valued clients who came to us with a problem – her website wasn't generating enough leads for her business. We recommended a tailored digital marketing strategy and implemented it for her. The results were amazing! In just three months, her website traffic increased by 75% and her leads doubled.
Through our partnership with Jane, we were able to provide a solution to her problem and help her achieve her business goals. We're thrilled to see her success and proud to share this case study with you. If you're facing similar challenges with your website, let's chat about how we can help you too. Contact us today for a free consultation!”
5. Industry news and insights
Sharing industry news and insights is like being the news anchor of your industry. It's an effective way to share educational content with your ideal clients while demonstrating you are keeping up with the times.
Industry news and insights posts keep your followers up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in your industry. Plus they can showcase your expertise and keep your ideal clients engaged with your business.
With industry news and insights, you can share news updates from other sources. Or, better still, you can write a blog or commentary piece on the changes or updates that are occurring. Writing your own content in this space definitely helps position you as the go-to person/business and showcases your expertise.
Here's an example of an Industry News and Insights post for a marketing agency.
“Hey everyone! Have you noticed any changes in your website traffic lately? Well, that might be due to the latest updates in SEO algorithms. As search engines like Google continue to evolve, so do the rules for SEO. That's why we're sharing the latest industry news and insights on SEO updates and best practices. Stay ahead of the game and keep your website ranking high with our expert tips. Check out our latest blog for all the details! #SEO #industrynews #searchengines #digitalmarketing”
6. Q&A posts
Finally, Q&A posts are a great way to engage with your ideal clients and provide educational content.
These can be done as live sessions or as still content.
Q&A posts allow your followers to ask questions and get answers from an expert in your field – aka You!
Like all the other educational posts, Q&A posts help to showcase your expertise and build trust with your ideal clients.
Here's an example Q&A social media post for a marketing agency.
“It's Q&A time! Do you have burning questions about marketing, but you're not sure where to turn? Look no further! I'll be hosting a live Q&A session this [insert date and time], where I'll be answering all your questions about marketing in general. Whether it's about marketing strategy or social media, I've got you covered.
Can't make it to the live session? No worries! You can still submit your questions beforehand, and I'll make sure to answer them during the session.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to get expert insights and advice. Click the link in my bio to RSVP and submit your questions. See you there!”
The power of educational posts
So there you go. 6 types of educational social media posts to help you provide value to your ideal clients, establish you as an expert in your industry, and drive traffic to your website:
- How-to guides
- Tips and tricks
- Infographics
- Case studies
- Industry news and insights
- Q&A
Remember, by sharing educational social media posts that help your followers learn and grow, you're building that awesome know, like, and trust factor, which will pay off in the long run.
So, the next time you're creating content for social media, consider including educational posts into your strategy. Your ideal clients, followers, and your bottom line will thank you for it.
