Samantha had always considered herself a bit of a foodie. She loved the thrill of discovering hidden gems in her city. One sunny Saturday afternoon, as she strolled through a charming neighborhood she had never explored before, she stumbled upon a quaint little restaurant called “Bella Bistro.”
The tantalizing aromas wafting from the open windows beckoned her inside. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, with soft jazz playing in the background. Samantha took a seat by the window and ordered the chef’s special.
As each course arrived, Samantha couldn’t help but marvel at the presentation and the amazing flavors that followed. The attentive staff shared stories about the ingredients and the chef’s inspiration behind each dish, making the dining experience even more delightful.
By the time Samantha finished her meal, she was convinced she had stumbled upon something worth sharing. She pulled out her phone and snapped a photo of her empty plate, captioning it with her newfound love for Bella Bistro. She couldn’t wait to share this gem with everyone she knew. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she posted a glowing review on every social media platform she used, raving about the restaurant’s incredible food, warm ambiance, and exceptional service.
Over the next few weeks, Samantha’s friends and followers flocked to Bella Bistro, sharing her enthusiasm for the restaurant. The small eatery soon saw a surge in customers, and the once-hidden gem became the talk of the town. Samantha’s joy didn’t just come from her memorable dining experience; it came from knowing that she had shared her discovery with others.
If you want to tap into the power of social sharing and transform passive visitors into active business advocates, read on. I will show you how it can facilitate discussions, spark curiosity, and drive traffic back to your website and business with 3 simple website changes.
What is a Social Sharing?
Social Sharing refers to the action of broadcasting website content on a social network to the person’s connections, groups, or specific individuals. The content can be in various forms, including text, images, videos, and links.
Optimize Your Content For Sharing
Your website’s content is the heart of your online presence. To encourage social sharing, it’s crucial to create shareable content that resonates with your audience.
Craft Engaging Headlines
The first step to getting your content shared is grabbing the reader’s attention with an enticing headline. During the holiday season, people are inundated with information, so your headline needs to stand out. Use power words, emotional triggers, and curiosity to make your headlines impossible to resist.
For example, instead of a generic headline like “Holiday Gift Ideas,” try something like “Unwrap the Magic: 10 Extraordinary Holiday Gift Ideas That Will Wow Your Loved Ones.” This creates a sense of excitement and curiosity, making readers more likely to click and share.
Create Shareable Visuals
Visual content is incredibly shareable. Whether it’s eye-catching images, infographics, or videos, incorporating visuals into your content can significantly increase its shareability. During the holidays, consider creating holiday-themed visuals that resonate with your audience.
Infographics that showcase holiday statistics or videos demonstrating the use of your products as gifts can be particularly effective. Make sure your visuals are high-quality, easy to share, and include social sharing buttons to encourage readers to pass them along to their friends and family.
Shareable Content Formats
Certain types of content are inherently more shareable than others. Lists, how-to guides, and stories tend to perform well on social media platforms. During the holiday season, consider creating content like:
- Top 10 Holiday Hacks: Share tips and tricks for making the holidays easier and more enjoyable.
- Gift Guides: Curate a list of must-have gifts for various niches, such as “The Ultimate Tech Lover’s Gift Guide” or “Gifts for the Foodie in Your Life.”
- Customer Stories: Share heartwarming stories from your customers about how your products or services made their holidays special.
These formats are not only engaging but also easy for readers to share with their own networks.
Add Social Sharing Buttons
Making it as easy as possible for your website visitors to share your content is essential. Adding social sharing buttons on your website can significantly boost social sharing. Here’s how to do it effectively:
Strategic Placement
Place social sharing buttons prominently on your web pages, ideally near the top or bottom of your content and within easy reach of the reader. Consider using floating sharing bars that move with the user as they scroll, ensuring that the sharing options are always visible.
Multiple Social Platforms
Include sharing buttons for multiple social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Different users prefer different platforms, so providing a variety of sharing options increases the likelihood of your content being shared.
Customizable Share Messages
Allow users to customize their share messages when they click on a sharing button. This feature lets them add a personal touch or endorsement to the content when sharing it with their followers, making it more likely to resonate with their audience.
Mobile Optimization
Ensure that your social sharing buttons are mobile-friendly. With a growing number of users accessing websites via mobile devices, it’s crucial that sharing buttons work seamlessly on all screen sizes.
By implementing social sharing buttons strategically and providing users with easy sharing options, you can encourage more people to share your holiday-themed content with their social networks.
Leverage User-Generated Content
When people share content from a website on social media, they often add their personal touch to the post, turning it into a reflection of their own thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Whether it’s a heartfelt comment, a witty caption, or an enthusiastic endorsement, these additions not only make the shared content more relatable but also add a layer of authenticity.
This personalization transforms a simple share into a social interaction, fostering engagement and conversation within their social networks. It’s this unique blend of curated content and individual expression that makes social sharing a dynamic and influential force, allowing users to blend their online experiences with their personalities.
Sharing is Authentic
When website visitors share their experiences with your products or services on social media, it comes across as genuine and trustworthy. During the holiday season, when people are inundated with promotional messages, they’re more likely to engage with content that features real people using and enjoying your products or services.
Create an Emotional Connection
When customers share their holiday experiences or how your products or services have added value to their celebrations, it taps into the emotions associated with the season. These emotional connections make your brand more relatable and resonate with potential customers on a deeper level. As people scroll through their social media feeds during the holidays, content that tugs at their heartstrings or brings a smile to their faces is more likely to be shared, extending the reach of your brand.
Showcase Real-World Use
During the holidays, when many people are searching for gift ideas or inspiration, UGC provides valuable insights. When customers post photos or videos of your products being used in their holiday celebrations or as thoughtful gifts, it serves as genuine testimonials. Potential customers can see how your offerings fit into their lives, making them more likely to consider a purchase. UGC essentially becomes a source of holiday gift ideas and inspiration, driving engagement and sharing.
Foster a Community
The holiday season is all about coming together and fostering a sense of community and belonging. UGC is a powerful tool for building such a community around your brand. When customers share their experiences, they often engage in conversations with other users who have similar interests or experiences. This creates a sense of belonging to a community of like-minded individuals who appreciate your products or services. Encourage users to use specific hashtags or join your brand’s social media groups to facilitate this sense of community. During the holidays, when people are seeking connection, being part of such a community can be particularly appealing.
Turning Browsers Into Buyers
One action that business owners can take to increase social sharing is to conduct a Website Assessment. This involves an analysis of your website’s design, functionality, and feedback. It helps you identify areas where visitors might be dropping off or experiencing difficulties. By understanding these pain points, you can implement targeted improvements to enhance the overall conversion process.
Take Away
Increasing social sharing on your website during the holiday season is not only beneficial for your business but also a great way to spread holiday cheer and connect with your audience. By optimizing your content, adding social share buttons, and leveraging user-generated content, you can make your website more shareable and ensure that your content reaches a wider audience this holiday season.
