It’s been a while since I posted an article about business on Communication FUNdamentals.  The last seven weeks were devoted to homeschool articles.  So this week I thought I’d bring you an article on blogging and social media.  This week I’ll share ten things to post during the tough economic times.  Next week I’ll talk about the ten things NOT to post!

10 Things to Post During Tough Times

If you are blogging or using social media for business purposes, it’s always a good idea to know your audience.  What are your customers looking for?  What do they need?  How can you help them?  In these financially tough times, I find that there are several things people are looking for and several things they are NOT.  You can use this knowledge in order to be of use in a timely way.

1. Things that give them hope

People are struggling to make ends meet.  They need hope.  Post a short message of encouragement.  Offer to help find something in your area of expertise.

2. Things that give them inspiration

Post an inspiring quote, an inspirational picture, a Bible quote.  Give them an idea for a project they are working on.

3. Things that are a distraction

As making ends meet can be more than a full time job requiring many hours of dedication and focus, a small distraction is usually welcomed once in a while!  People can’t go on long vacations, but you can offer a mini vacation just by posting a funny picture, odd fact, clean joke or note of encouragement.  Anything that is a short distraction which allows them a tiny break in an otherwise frustrating day can be of immense help.

4. Things that make them laugh

Post a clean joke or funny saying, silly picture or even just a funny comment.  Humor is a mini vacation!  Humor helps a body release stress. Be someone’s hero and help them find something to laugh at when they are having a tough day.  Be sure not to make fun of their struggle, but do introduce a little levity.

5. Things that educate them about the changing times

If someone is struggling to do something (especially if it is in your area of expertise, but even if it isn’t), offer to help them or educate them. Make a tough situation a little easier.  They will never forget it!

6. Things that contain information about how to survive

If you have inside information or knowledge about how to survive a crisis someone is struggling with, reach out to them.  Offer to share. Help if you can.  As much as you can.  You don’t have to spend hours with them if you don’t have the hours to spare, but help someone get through a tough time in any way you can.

7. Things that warn them of troubles ahead

Let folks know of scams you have encountered.  Warn them of impending disaster.  Help them avoid further disappointments.  Take a few minutes to help someone else avoid the struggles you had to go through.  Give them the benefit of your wisdom.

8. Things that help them make money for their family

I’m not talking here about blasting Network Marketing ad links all over Facebook, but if someone has said they are looking for a business, offer some suggestions.  If you represent a company that might work for them, mention yours along with some others opportunities or ideas.  Tell Mildred she might sell her artwork she dearly loves creating.  Encourage Ignatz to look into consulting… then mention that you have an opportunity they may also want to check out.

9. Things that help them save money

Post any ideas or tips you have or find that help folks save more of their valuable income.  If this is your business, offer some free tips once a week or so!  Reply to someone who asks a specific question and needs a particular solution.

10. Things that bring them closer to God

Point them to God.  Post scriptures that speak to their soul.  Help Christians who are hurting by telling them how special they are to the Lord and to you.  Tell the unbeliever that God loves them.  Tell the believer who is questioning his struggles too!  Post things that lead folks closer to or back to God.  God can inspire hope and help change the struggles His children are going through.

What if your business has nothing to do with any of these ten things?  Why share them in a blog, on Yahoo groups, Twitter or Facebook?  Because if you help someone, if you reach out to them, if you care about them, they will care about you and what you do.  If you don’t seem to care about them and offer to help, they will not care to know you, let alone buy green, speckled widgets from you.

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JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication, but it is her humorous approach to communication skills which has made her a highly sought-after Christian speaker and writer.  Her articles appear in homeschool publications, such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, which also endorses her Say What You Mean curricula, including Say What You Mean Defending the Faith.  You can also find JoJo on web sites such as Crosswalk.com and Dr.Laura.com.  For more information on communication FUNdamentals and Christian-based communication skills for the whole family, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com

For more articles on communication in business, check out the bottom of our Articles Page!

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