Strategic comms and The Beatles
Helen Reynolds
Unboring comms training that taps into your creativity, grows your confidence and helps you make a powerful impact
Hello! Hel Reynolds here, with some comms inspiration for your mental filing cabinet.
I've committed to getting this thing out to you each week - so here I am even though it's a bit late in the week and your brain may be in weekend mode already.
This newsletter is my way of giving anyone who can't take our courses a little moment of creative food for thought.
It's down to our lovely clients who do invest in working with us, that I can afford take the time in the week to share some insights (and silliness) with you.
So thanks for reading, and a special thanks to clients for choosing us.
Let's do this.
Comms Creatives content of the week
People often tell me that they get a lot of criticism, negativity or trolling* on social media, so lighter, more humorous content is out of the question.
'It'll only rile up the haters', they say.
Or they'll say - 'We're not a fun product like Greggs or Innocent have - we have to be serious and stick to the point'.
Well, here's something to show that's not the whole story.
Quirkier stuff can be in your content mix.
Unlike other brands who may have ignored this a silly non-query, National Rail have seen this tweet about Paul McCartney and run with it.
If you're a Beatles fan, or as old as me, you'll know that National Rail are sharing lyrics from 'Ticket To Ride'.
Would they get 124,000 likes (as I write this) on a tweet that was serious, preachy, or informative?
Probably not
I smiled when I saw it (thanks for sharing it with me John Howcroft).
Lots of people saw this and very briefly had a positive thought about the National Rail brand.
That's a small but definite win.
Don't get stuck in defensive mode
When you deal with a lot of comments, it can feel like you have to defend your brand all the time.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Or just stick to information sharing.
Don't let that become your default mode. Sometimes, people are just playing with you and you can play along.
It's actually ok to mix in some lighter content too, it with really Help! people connect to you and increase your social media reach.
Get Back that feeling of enjoyment about social media - where it wasn't all toxic and we found novel and amusing things in our homefeeds.
Don't Let Me Down by missing the opportunity to go along with a joke when it's handed to you on a plate.
All You Need Is Love of your audience - trust that they are on social media for a bit of distraction and amusement too.
* If you do find it hard to manage negative comments on social media, this short webinar may help.
Social Media Expert: next course starts Feb 1st!
Over nine weekly 90 minute lessons, you'll grow your skills, get inspired, and achieve BIG social media results.
Comms Cartoons
I'm digging out a Christmas cartoons early in case you want to send it to a comms pal.
I have this one for sale* or you can just print your own out, it's a present from me to you.
*It takes a week or so to arrive, consider yourself warned fellow procrastinators!
Cool comms and social media jobs
Each week, Caroline and I forage for great jobs and share a selection of them on Linkedin. Here's a new round-up of beauties:
See you next week!