These days, the internet can be an overwhelming place. With constant ads following us everywhere and so many businesses trying to promote their products/services, the fun is often sucked out of it. And that’s why adding fun, entertaining content to your social media mix can be a huge game changer!
When the content you lean in to is “all business”, it can be hard for people to connect with your brand. So, finding ways to share more personable content can make you more relatable! And, it makes your online space feel like a community your customers can be a part of.
Depending on the industry you’re in, it can feel like your content should be more serious. But there are appropriate ways to be more personable, which we’ll explore here to get you started.
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the four key types of social media content for small business owners. The others are educational content, engaging content and promotional content. You can get an overview in this post exploring all four content types.
Jump to examples:
Share an anecdote
Reveal your thoughts or opinions on a fun (non-controversial!) topic
Post photos and videos of you or your team
Link to relevant entertaining podcasts, blogs or videos
Share relatable memes, GIFs and cartoons
Final thoughts on entertaining content
Share an anecdote
A surefire way of connecting with your customers is by sharing little anecdotes from your life as a business owner. People love to get a peek behind the curtain. And there are lots of ways to turn moments from your day-to-day business life into entertaining content.
This could look like sharing funny stories from your early days in the business before you found your feet. It could be documenting entertaining but relatable mishaps, sharing exciting moments or documenting the first time you met new exciting people, etc.
Figure out what tone you want to strike here and go for it! This sort of content can work really well as something like an Instagram story. It only lasts for 24 hours but it gives people a chance to see a different side to you.
In general, you can share anything, but try and make it about something that is important to you or that your ideal customers are likely to recognise from their own lives.
Reveal your thoughts or opinions on a fun (non-controversial!) topic
Are there recurring themes or memes in your industry? Get involved in the fun! Not only is this an opportunity to build on entertaining content being shared by others, but it also shows a more playful side to your business!
For example, every year, Pantone reveals their Colour of the Year. This is something that works its way into everything from interiors to fashion to food and drink! So, you don’t have to be an interior designer to share this content and comment on the discussion.
This is a non-controversial, shareable topic and a good opportunity to get creative. Say you’re a kitchen designer – mock up a kitchen in the winning colour and give your thoughts on it. Or if you’re a baker, bake and decorate a cake entirely in that shade and ask people to vote for whether they’d order it!
Post photos and videos of you or your team
If you have one, your team is a great source of entertaining content. And if you don’t, the same can be said for any coworking friends or networking buddies!
Generally, people are entertained by people. So, if you or your teammates have done something fun – anything from a Christmas night out to a team building trip, or even if one of you visited an iconic place on holiday, share it!
Again, this is a really nice opportunity to make your brand more relatable. Seeing you all as actual people, rather than just faceless, nameless entities behind a website, can really help engage with your audience.
It’s an easy way to bring a sense of fun to your pages and help make it feel like your team is a real part of the community you’re building.
Link to relevant entertaining podcasts, blogs or videos
Rather than things feeling one-sided, sharing other people’s content is a great idea. Not only is this handy if you’re having a quiet week and don’t have much entertaining content to share, but it shows that you value a range of voices!
Think about things you and your customers have in common. If there’s an article you’ve enjoyed that relates to your industry, maybe they’d enjoy it too! Or if you listened to an entertaining podcast by a potential collaborator, share the link.
Being the person who introduced them to their new favourite YouTube channel or Substack will win you big brownie points. This sort of content is perfect for showing your followers that you genuinely understand them and know exactly what makes them tick!
Share relatable memes, GIFs and cartoons
First things first – make sure these are appropriate! However, the highly shareable nature of this type of entertaining content can be really good for boosting engagement and creating that sense of community.
If someone shares something that makes you laugh/feel seen in your job, pass it on! It’s amazing what solidarity a relatable meme can create.
A great example is this reel that went viral, highlighting the frustration that comes with trying to move an image in Microsoft Word. This seems like such a tiny issue, but it turned out to be such a common experience that people in all industries related. By sharing something like that, it’s a small way of brightening your followers’ day and forming a connection.
And the great thing is, while you might hit on an idea to film one of these yourself, you don’t need to. So much entertaining content in the form of memes and reels is already out there – you just need to share it.
Final thoughts on entertaining content
Ultimately, the goal of this sort of content is connection. You want to form a bond with your audience that goes beyond simply transactional. In addition to being their go-to supplier of a certain product or service, you want them to feel engaged with your brand on a wider level. Because this sort of connection helps to build trust and generate loyalty.
So, through carefully chosen entertaining content, you can elevate your social media platforms and website from “just another account” to more of a community. The more customers come back to experience the camaraderie of the community, the more likely they are to see your new products, click your latest links and continue buying from you.
And on top of all that? It’s just good fun! When you’re navigating the stress of running a small business, a regular dose of entertainment can be as enjoyable for you as it is for your audience.
FURTHER READING
If you are interested in reading more about this topic, have a look at these:
How to Create a Social Media Content Plan for Your Small Business
Why You Should Focus on Your Social Media Engagement
How to Handle the Changes on Social Media as a Small Business Owner
How to Position Yourself as an Expert in Your Field with Educational Content
