Bap…bap…is this thing on? Most of us who use social media to recruit are no stranger to digital crickets. You know them, the uncomfortable lulls on your Facebook page or Twitter account that follows a well-intended question. Read on for three easy ways to spark chatter on your pages.
Just like applause, save questions for the end. No matter how riveting your query is, few readers remember to answer a question presented at the beginning or middle of a post. What’s more, a recent Buddy Media study found that questions posed at the end of a post have a 15% higher response rate.
Make it easy for candidates to answer your questions. Phrase them so people can agree or disagree with you; or vote between two options – like “chocolate or vanilla,” “Facebook or Google+,” “jorts or not.” Questions that require elaborate responses tank. Avoid phrasing posts with “how,” “who,” and “why” – these can feel intrusive or make people feel like participating will require more effort than they care to give. If you don’t offer options, stick with “where,” “when,” and “would” phrasings. For example:
- “Where was the first place you worked?”
- “When is a good time to start an MBA?”
- “Would you turn down a job if your would-be boss had a bad rap?”
Finally, don’t rapid fire several questions at your readers. Stick with one, simple question between 7-15 words long. Job seekers will scan your question and decide to answer in a split-second. The simpler you make it, the better your odds are at getting responses that expose your brand virally to new talent.
Oh, and one final tip: avoid excessive question marks for emphasis. It just looks like your “?’ key is stuck.
How do YOU get your fans to answer your call?
Tell us in the comments. (or just enjoy this animated gif)
Photo credit: Lady Gaga/Fan Pop
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