We’re up to week 3 of focusing on the 7 types of social media posts that get results. This week it’s all about Inspirational posts.
Remember you can read the previous articles below:
6 types of educational social media posts
5 types of behind the scenes posts
Now picture this
You're scrolling through your social media feed and you stumble upon a post that makes you feel motivated, inspired, and ready to take on the world.
What do you do?
Well if you’re like me you’ll hit that like button and maybe even share it with your friends. Then what do you know – you're feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
That's the power of inspirational posts. They can create a positive impact on people's lives.
And having a positive impact on your ideal client’s lives is something you can't ignore – especially from a business perspective.
Why? Because that impact helps build the all-important know, like, and trust factor.
What are inspirational posts
So, what exactly are inspirational posts and why are they so important for your business?
Well, let's start with the basics. Inspirational posts are pieces of content that aim to uplift, motivate, and inspire people. They can come in the form of quotes, stories, videos, images, or any other creative way you can think of.
Inspirational posts are not only great for spreading positivity and creating a positive image for your business, but they can also increase engagement, reach, and ultimately, sales.
Think about it, people are more likely to engage with and share content that gives them the warm and fuzzies and makes them feel good.
However, inspirational posts are not simply about throwing up the odd motivational quote on your socials. They are much more.
So, where do you start?
First – Know your ideal clients
First and foremost, know your ideal clients. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
Know your ideal clients.
- What are their pain points?
- What motivates them?
- What do they care about?
Understanding your ideal clients will help you create inspirational content that speaks to them, makes them feel seen and heard, and (obviously) inspires them.
And that, again, helps build the know, like, and trust factor.
If you don't know who your ideal clients are, read this.
Once you have a clear understanding of your ideal clients, then it's time to get creative.
There are many ways to create inspirational posts that will resonate with your ideal clients. I’ve put together a few ideas to get you started:
1. Share motivational quotes
Motivational quotes are a great way to inspire and uplift your ideal clients. They're short, easy to read, and can be shared across multiple social media platforms.
What’s important however, is to make your motivational quotes stand out while being relevant to your business or industry – and of course your ideal clients.
To do this try to use unique or less common quotes. This will show that, not only do you know your stuff, but that you’re always researching and learning and being inspired.
Additionally, try to make your quotes visually appealing.
You can use tools like Canva to create awesome graphics that will draw your ideal client’s attention and resonate with them.
For example, let's say you're a wellness brand that offers yoga classes and nutrition coaching. You could share a quote that aligns with your brand values, such as:
“In the midst of movement and chaos, yoga allows me to find peace in stillness and clarity in the present moment.”
This quote can inspire your ideal clients to focus on the journey of self-improvement rather than perfection. You can also ask people how they find peace – which creates engagement as well as inspires.
To make the quote visually appealing, you could create a graphic with a calming background and use your brand's colours to add a pop of visual interest.
2. Tell inspiring stories
Inspiring stories are an effective way to connect with your ideal clients on a deeper, more personal level.
When you share a story that resonates with your ideal clients, it helps build trust and create an emotional connection. That old Know, Like, and Trust factor returns again 🙂.
For example, a skincare business could share a story of a customer who had struggled with acne for years but found relief with their product or the products recommended by them. This type of story can not only inspire others to try the product but also create a sense of community among your ideal clients.
When telling a story, make sure it's written so it sounds like you’re telling the story. Don’t make it too formal. Do make it easy to follow. For your visuals, you can use multiple images that reflect different stages of the story. Or perhaps do a ‘live’ to tell the story and make it more engaging – encourage and answer questions from your ideal clients throughout the live.
For example, a non-profit organisation that supports mental health could share an inspiring story of someone who has overcome mental illness and gone on to achieve success in their personal or professional life.
The story would show how the NFP helped the person through their struggles. Sharing these types of stories can help inspire others who are going through something similar and help people understand more about mental health.
An important aspect of story telling to inspire is to try to focus on the feelings and experiences of the main person in the story.
Speak in a way that is easy to understand and avoid using difficult words that could confuse people.
You can also use pictures or videos to help tell the story and make it more relatable. Overall, a well-told inspiring story can really help your ideal clients feel more connected to, and inspired by, your business.
3. Share uplifting messages
Sometimes, all people need is a little pick-me-up to get through the day and that’s where uplifting messages come in.
Uplifting messages can be anything from positive affirmations to simple reminders that life is good.
For instance, a food brand could share a message about the power of a home-cooked meal to bring people together. This type of message can make your ideal clients feel good about themselves and your brand.
Something to remember, when you’re crafting an uplifting message is to keep it short and sweet.
Similar to story telling, but in a shorter version, use language that is easy to understand and avoid jargon or complex words. Also, try to use an optimistic tone that will resonate with your ideal clients and encourage them to engage with your uplifting messages.
For example, a fashion brand could share an uplifting message about body positivity and self-love. The message could be about embracing your unique body shape and size and celebrating your individuality. By sharing this type of message, the brand can show that they care about their customers beyond just selling clothes. They are promoting a positive message that will resonate with their ideal clients and make them feel good about themselves.
Not one to reinvent the wheel – check out Dove’s socials. They do inspiring posts, well actually whole campaigns, really well.
An important note when it comes to crafting an uplifting message. Be genuine and sincere. Avoid using empty or overused phrases that may come off as insincere. Instead, focus on a message that is authentic to your business and aligns with your values. Use a tone that is friendly and relatable, and try to include imagery or videos that will make your message more engaging.
4. Highlight success stories
Finally, sharing success stories from your clients or customers is a powerful way to showcase the value of your business and the products or services you offer.
For example, a coaching brand could share a testimonial from a client who achieved their goals with their guidance. This type of post not only inspires your ideal clients to take action but also builds credibility and trust in your business.
When highlighting success stories, make sure you get permission from the person you're featuring – even better, get them involved.
Use images or videos to showcase their success story and make your post more engaging. You can also use this opportunity to offer a call-to-action, such as inviting your ideal clients to book a consultation with you or ask about a particular product and how it might help them.
For example, an accounting firm could share a success story of a client who overcame financial challenges and achieved their business goals with the help of your firm's guidance.
The post can inspire people by highlighting the challenges faced by the client and how your firm provided tailored solutions to help them succeed. It can also make your business very relatable – helping your ideal clients understand they’re not alone when it comes to business challenges and that you (the accounting firm) have the expertise to help them.
By sharing success stories, you not only showcase the value of your accounting services but also inspire other business owners to take action and seek your expertise.
Remember to make sure to get your client's permission before sharing their story, use visuals to make the post more engaging, and include a call to action inviting others to learn more about your services.
Using inspirational posts for social media success
Each of these inspirational post examples can help you connect with and inspire your ideal clients. By using unique quotes, telling inspiring stories, sharing uplifting messages, and highlighting success stories, you can create content that builds that know, like, and trust factor through inspiration.
Now that you have some ideas for creating inspirational posts, it's important to keep in mind that consistency is key.
Don't just share one inspirational post and call it a day. Make it a regular part of your social media strategy and create a content calendar to ensure that you're consistently delivering valuable (and inspirational) content to your ideal clients.
Inspirational posts are a powerful tool for boosting your online presence and creating a positive image.
By understanding your ideal clients, getting creative, and staying consistent, you can create inspirational posts that can help you achieve your marketing and social media goals.
So, go ahead and spread some inspiration – the world needs it now more than ever!
