You ghosted me
In the thought leadership world, “posting and ghosting” is a big no-no
Happy (almost) Halloween! 🎃
How do you feel about ghosts?
Some are friendly (👋 like me, your favorite social media ghostwriter 👻✍️), and some are frightening.
But the worst are those who post their content and then forget about it.
In the thought leadership world, we refer to this as “posting and ghosting.”
And it’s a big no-no.
Seriously, why go through all the trouble of carefully crafting your insights and sharing them with your intended audiences only to ignore them?
If people are engaging with your content, it means:
You managed to capture their attention (one of the toughest things to do)
They like it enough to take action by commenting or reacting to it
They disagree with your take and felt compelled to start a conversation
They like the way you think
It made them think
They’re definitely interested in hearing more from you
They’re probably interested in working with you
But if you don’t respond, you’re leaving them hanging.
And I don’t know about you, but if someone ignores me, I take that as a hard pass and move on.
I’d like to think that most people guilty of this are doing so unintentionally. Unfortunately, they’re still missing out on fantastic opportunities to forge new relationships and cultivate prospective partnerships.
But “posting and ghosting” isn’t the only bad behavior I see online.
In honor of the upcoming holiday, I’ve put together the scariest social media content practices to avoid:
Pretending to be someone else
When trying to communicate and connect, lose the mask and be yourself; genuine and authentic content always wins.
Not engaging with others
Don't play dead! Rather than lurk, make sure to like, comment, and share others’ content and engage with those who engage with your content.
Being a troll
When you engage, try to be constructive. Invite discussion and ask questions to promote conversation and better understanding.
Selling, not serving
Want to scare people away fast? Use your content to constantly sell. Instead, strive to be of service and provide value.
Being inconsistent
Don't be the Frankenstein of content! Rather than include a mishmash of topics, stick to the one or two areas where you shine.
Only consuming content
Stop hiding and jump in! Creating social media content is a fantastic way to share your wisdom and showcase your thought leadership.
Tell me, what other frightening things would you add to the list?
Do you know what else is scary?
Feeling lost in your career.
But never fear.
In my latest Forbes article, I share three actionable steps to help you find your way.
And in case you missed it…
In my recent Forbes article, I shared what LinkedIn’s new Global Talents Trends Report cites as the top five priorities of job seekers—and why one of them increases employee retention.
Shine on,
Amy
P.S. When I’m not writing this newsletter or avoiding scary content practices, I’m a social media ghostwriter. (Yep, that’s a thing). I help founders craft their stories to communicate and connect better, magnifying their reach and impact. (Think personal branding and thought leadership.) Learn more here.
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