Social media inspires energetic and interactive dialogue.

It can take a static conversation and turn it into one that’s vibrant, dynamic and enthusiastic.

It also opens the door to deeper, more meaningful conversations.

Through the power of social media, business professionals can share products and services in real-time, and do it in a real and authentic way.

If you are eager to step outside the often seen one-way conversation and truly connect with your social media fans and followers, it’s time to open the lines of communication.

Below are 7 C’s to get you started! How to create social media conversations that captivate and inspire your online community.

Create Captivating Social Media Conversations

  1. Be Curious

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. ~ Walt Disney

Curiosity in marketing is no different than it is in life. Curiosity keeps us fresh, inventive and open to new and unique ideas.

Never stop learning, adapting and re-energizing your strategy.

Whether your current marketing efforts are flourishing or failing, curiosity is a quality you must maintain.

  2. Get Creative

Ever wonder why your social media efforts aren’t producing the results you were hoping for? It could be due to a lack of creativity.

Just as our offline or traditional marketing can become stale over time, so can our online marketing.

Spice things up! Take a good hard look at the posts, tweets and content you are producing. What is the tone behind it? Is it presenting you or your company in the best light?

Ask yourself what the benefit is to your follower, reader or fan. If there isn’t one, it’s time to make a change.

Be innovative, electrifying, and most of all — be original. Your social success is dependent on it!

  3. Stay Connected

Connecting in a real and authentic way is key to social media success no matter the size of your company. This makes it imperative for you to spend time conversing with your fans, followers and friends every day.

Responding, commenting and engaging proves you’re a real human being, not a systematic robot.

It also creates trust, and trust is the foundation of a healthy and beneficial relationship.

There is no better way to reach those you are wishing to stay in front of than getting (and staying) socially connected.

  4. Remain Consistent

When was the last time you landed on a social profile or blog that wasn’t updated in months? I would imagine it did for you what it does for me.

It sheds a dim light on the company and speaks volumes about their willingness to follow through.

Give your fans and followers a reason to keep coming back. Commit to posting, tweeting and engaging on a consistent basis.

This means that you will need to know your limitations.

What can you commit to that won’t be a hardship?

Take baby steps and understand that you do not have to be everywhere or everything to everyone all at once. Determine where your target market spends their time and then show up on a regular basis!

  5. Become Coordinated

Get your social media coordinated! This will take a mix of strategy, planning and the right tools to execute.

Maximize your social media marketing strategy by leveraging each social channel as well as your blog.

For example: If you post to your blog, coordinate your efforts to publish it across the web. From Google+, Facebook and Twitter, use social media to help spread your message.

Tools to help automate your efforts:

• Buffer – Far and away one of my favorite tools, Buffer is a smarter way to schedule the great content you find. Fill up your Buffer at one time in the day and Buffer automagically posts
• IFTTT – Connect two applications (Pinterest and Twitter for example – see the recipe here) and then determine how you will automate that task based on specific parameters.
• WP to Twitter — Send a Tweet from your blog or website
• Leenk.me  — Auto Tweet new blog posts
• Social Media Pack – Twitter Module — Sends a Tweet when you post something new

Then keep track of how many times someone shared, tweeted or buzzed your content with Markerly.

  6. Stay Current

Remaining relevant requires that you stay up-to-date on the latest trends within your industry.

RSS feeds, bookmarking sites and apps such as Feedly will allow for quick browsing and sharing.

Know what is impacting your industry and then share how it affects your fans and followers. It keeps you in-the-know and ahead of both negative and positive changes.

Share important, timely and beneficial information to build credibility and thought leadership.

  7. Always Capitalize

A smart social media marketer creates opportunity through meaningful conversation.

They also know how and when to capitalize on that opportunity. They are quick to act and don’t spend an inordinate amount of time agonizing over the decision.

They are clear, precise and swift to evolve and push beyond any self-imposed boundaries. They keep their eyes and mind open and are willing to let go of any fear holding them back.

They know that the sooner they engage, the quicker they will feel connected to their community.

What one change can you make to create vibrant and captivating social media conversations?