social media content – Rallio – Social Media for Franchises, Small & Local Business

If you want to create social media posts from scratch, you may quickly discover there are a lot of moving parts. From coming up with content ideas and capturing great photos to creating graphics and videos, there are several steps involved with getting from concept to finished product.

Rather than reinvent the wheel every time you post, however, you can come up with a set of posts that are easily editable from week to week. Once you have the idea, you can swap out photos, graphics, video content and captions to make your posts fresh each time.

To create social media posts from scratch, try some of the free resources we’ve rounded up below. As you get familiar with these tools, they’ll become second nature to you. And before long, you’ll be cranking out social media posts like it’s your full-time gig.

Free Imagery

When we say free imagery, that can mean a few different things. First and foremost, we recommend getting authentic when you create social media posts from scratch — meaning, post real photos of real people doing real things.

What it does not mean is searching the internet for the image you have in mind and then snagging the first image you see. If you use someone else’s photo without permission from the photographer or the publisher, you could be in violation of the copyright on that photo.

When you use your own photos, you avoid this problem altogether. However, there may be times when you need a stock photo for some reason — in an ad, for example, or for a visual representation of a concept you’re discussing in the caption.

If you need stock photos, use websites that offer royalty-free images, often free of charge. Here are a few of our favorites:

Unsplash and Pexels — Search for images and download them in your desired size.
Google Images — Search for images in Google and then filter your search by Images and by Creative Commons. Creative Commons photos typically have public-domain licenses, but double check the fine print if you want to use the photo in any kind of commercial capacity.

Be sure to take note of each platform’s specific requirements for downloading images, such as crediting the original source.

Free Videos

The same principle applies to videos as with photos: The more original video content you post, the better. And again, don’t ever take someone else’s video and claim it as your own.

Pull out your phone and film a day in the life of your store manager. Or the dog that frequents your shop with his human. Or a how-to video explaining how to use your newest product. Or a customer testimonial.

You get the idea: Video content should be authentic and real.

Again, though, there may be times when you want to share a video that someone else created. Say, for example, you find an inspirational video that you think will resonate with your audience.

In this case, you can simply share a link to the YouTube video and add your own caption. This type of post works for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

If the video is on Instagram, simply share the video to your Stories or Reels. Instagram will automatically include the original source of the video, so you won’t have to add any additional text — unless you want to layer a quick comment or GIF on top of the video.

Free Graphic Design Tools

Need to create a quick graphic or quote post? We love Canva.com, a robust free option that’s simple, intuitive, and user-friendly even for newbies.

From the home page, choose a post type from the social media templates — you’ll see options for Facebook and Instagram posts, for example, because each platform has different image size requirements. You can also create social media posts from scratch, but the templates make things quick and easy.

Once you find a template you like, you can play around with fonts, colors, icons, photos, and other design elements. If you like, upload your logo and layer it on top of the design to help brand your image wherever it’s posted. (Side note: You can create a logo in Canva, too!)

Rather Not Create Social Media Posts From Scratch? Rallio Can Help

We know how time-consuming it can be to create social media posts from scratch. All the free tools in the world won’t get your time back if you have to spend hours researching ideas, creating designs, filming content, and posting on different platforms.

At Rallio, we take away a lot of the pain points people experience when they create social media posts from scratch. Our technology gives you a single dashboard where you can create and publish to multiple platforms. You’ll also be able to view and reply to comments, direct messages and online reviews.

In addition, we have a team of Social Strategists who help our clients maximize their time and create social media posts that are engaging.

To learn more about how we work with franchises and small-business owners, head over to rallio.com and explore our different options.

Typically here at Rallio, our blog content focuses on practical tips and strategies you can use to amplify your social media presence. Every so often, we get the urge to knock down the guardrails of traditional content and throw a little parody post your way. Beneath the layers of sarcasm, you’ll find nuggets of truth that you can apply to your social media content strategy.

Today, we’re dishing out a gourmet platter of 3 surefire ways to get your social media content ignored. That’s right. If you want people to scroll past your content or not see it altogether, then the tips below are exactly what you need.

Call it keeping you on your toes. Call it word salad. Call it what you will, but just make sure you have a strong beverage of choice in your hand before you start reading. It’ll go nicely with today’s main course.

By the way, we don’t use recipes, but we do use metaphors. Heavily. Buckle up, buttercup.

1. Post Yawn-Worthy Content

When you first gain a follower, that follower might initially see your content in their newsfeed. Want to get rid of them? Just make sure you’re posting yawn-worthy content.

What do we mean by “yawn-worthy,” you ask? It’s pretty self-explanatory — it inspires nothing more than a big yawn upon viewing by an unsuspecting viewer. It might include a typical, generic stock photo, an ill-placed meme, or some type of sales post that’s overly promotional.

All those other pages that are posting local content showing the authentic people behind the business? Sure, they might be hanging on to their followers — even gaining new ones if they keep at it. But while they’re busy posting product spotlights, team member pictures, how-tos, videos and customer testimonials, you can sit back, relax, and shoo away any existing and new followers.

Phew, that’s a relief!

2. Ignore People

There’s another easy way to get your social media content ignored. Simply ignore your followers, and they’ll forget all about you!

If you happen to ignore tip #1 and decide to post interesting, relevant content, there’s a good chance people are going to engage with it. You know the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? “If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk. When you give him the milk, he’ll probably ask for a straw. …”

The little boy keeps giving that mouse what he wants, and he keeps asking for more, and isn’t the boy tired of catering to that mouse already?

Likewise, if you keep giving your followers what they want in terms of content, they’re going to be vocal about letting you know they want more of it. Likes, comments, shares, direct messages, online reviews — expect it all.

But don’t worry! As with posting yawn-worthy content, you can simply ignore your followers if they post a comment, question or review. The more you ignore them, the more they’ll go away!

3. Lash Out

Now if you decide to ignore tip #2 above — i.e., you respond to people who submit a comment, question or review — there’s another easy way to make sure your content gets ignored: Lash out at anyone who disagrees with you!

This tip is especially useful if someone submits a negative online review. When you respond, make sure you argue publicly with the person. That way, the argument will be out there for all the world to see! (Honestly, why wouldn’t you want to be perceived as an unreasonable, argumentative business owner?)

There’s also the side benefit of scaring away new followers once they see not only a negative review, but also a negative response. Your existing followers might not be too keen on sticking around either! Great news for your “me time” — yet again, you’ll have fewer followers (and customers) to manage!

One Last Anti-Tip for Anyone Who Ignores the Social Media Content Tips Above

OK, you got us. We don’t actually recommend any of the tips above for anyone who actually wants to grow their business on social media.

The truth is, posting great content and keeping your followers takes work, but it’s work that’s worthwhile. With engaging social media content, thoughtful response management, and consistent effort, you can build a following and continue growing your business with the help of social media.

Actually, here at Rallio, we’re in the business of helping our clients create the kind of content that doesn’t get ignored. Their social media content looks like this:

It’s hyper-local, showing the real, authentic side of a business owner, their team and their customers.
It includes a wide variety of posts about team members, product spotlights and how-tos, blog posts, and videos featuring their people and customers.
It’s posted with some frequency, at least three to four times a week.
It sprinkles in promotions and boosted content.

Rallio has perfected the process of creating engaging content, responding to online reviews and making sure our clients’ pages are performing optimally. If you’re ready to make sure your content gets the reactions and results you want, get in touch with us today.