A lot of small businesses struggle with writing captions on their Facebook posts. I tend to think about 3 things when I write my captions. I hope these tips will help you write better captions too!
Components of a Good Caption
- Explain or talk about the photo.
You took the photo and decided to post it, why? Is the weather making you think of spring and the photo is a spring display? Are you feeling overwhelmed so you shared a picture of a dirty workspace? Did you just finish a home DIY project or made a craft and you want to show it off?
Tell us about the photo.
2. Ask a question
The key to a successful business is building relationships. You want to get to know your followers. And the only way to do this is to get them to interact with you. You have to give them a reason to comment, not just to click the like button. This interaction can also help you learn what they like so that you can post more of that!
3. Answer the question yourself
Your followers want to get to know you too and one way this can happen is for you to tell them about your likes and dislikes. This further builds your relationship because you are opening up to them, you are making friends virtually! It also gives them an idea of what type of answer you are looking for.
Tell us about you.
Example Captions
So, how about we break down an example.
What not to do…
Checkout this recent craft project. I love it!
Is there a question we are asking our followers to get to know them? Are we telling our followers anything to help them get to know us?
What to do…
Checkout this recent craft project where I covered a lamp shade with moss! I found this idea when I was scrolling on Pinterest. Since I literally had all of the supplies on hand, I decided to make it! I think this would make a great cloche over a chippy white piece of architectural salvage! Since we know that I scroll on Pinterest and DO the projects, I’m curious if you do too! Show me a recent Pinterest project below.
Now this caption is a little different because instead of asking our audience to answer a question with words, we are asking them to answer with an image.
What not to do…
I found this idea when I was scrolling on Pinterest. Since I literally had all of the supplies on hand, I decided to make it!
How are we getting to know about our followers?
What to do…
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get lost scrolling through Pinterest! But, it’s always nice to find cool projects when I have all of the necessary supplies! Believe it or not, I used to only pin something if I was ACTUALLY going to make it. Well, let’s be honest, that is not the case anymore!
What has been the neatest craft project you have seen online, whether you made it or not?
I would say I have a thing for DIY pillows made from feed sacks. A recent one was cut to look like a bunny. And the other projects that always get me are the DIY signs that are made to look like old church signs…I definitely will be making one of those some day!
Tell us about the photo. Ask a question. Answer the question.
Summary
I hope these examples help you. Do you see how typically a good caption is going to be a little longer? Well thought out to include the 3 elements? And yes, it is definitely worth the time and effort to write a good caption. People by from those they know, like, and trust and there is no better way to build that relationship than by getting to know your followers and letting them get to know about you!
Are you looking for more business tips? I know all antique dealers struggle with organization, go HERE to see my top tips.
2 thoughts on “My Top 3 Tips for Writing Good Captions”
Hi Brooke. These sound like great tips. They will take me out of my comfort zone (because I always shy away from the limelight – I usually just post a brief comment) but I’m going to give it a go. I’m going out picking today so I will post something relating to that later on/tomorrow. Thanks. Jane -Treasure Hunt.
Jane I’m so excited to hear you are going to give it a try! It’s easier to build relationships online if people can get to know you! Let me know if you see a difference!