Social media content strategy: What works on Facebook and Twitter?

1. What works on Facebook? Facebook's 2011 study of the way journalists use Facebook found these posting styles drove significantly more feedback in the form of comments and likes:

* Posts that asked questions or sought user input: +64%
* Call to read or take a closer look: +37%
* Personal reflections or behind-the-scenes posts: +25%
* Posts with catchy/clever language or tone: +18%

2. What works on Twitter? Twitter's 2012 study of the most successful journalists on the Web came up with these recommendations:

* Tweet content related to your beat; live-tweet.
* Use hashtags for context and @cite your sources.
* Share what you're reading with your Twitter followers.
* Use the Retweet button to curate.

See also Twitter for Newsrooms and follow @TwitterForNews.

3. How to fuel your Facebook and Twitter feeds:
* Sign up for Google Alerts on the subject of your choice.
* Monitor subjects of your choice by following experts in the field on Twitter. Then monitor their tweets using smartphone apps like Zite.

More on the power of the right tweet at the right time: SocialFlow's analysis of Twitter the night President Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden.

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