Inclusive social media content considers the diverse needs of all audiences, including users with different first languages, cultural backgrounds, dietary requirements, or disabilities such as sight loss. When creating social media posts, videos, captions, or stories, you must consider the reading and listening experience of all audiences. This gives users a sense of belonging and involvement within your brand, despite their differences or needs. Solvid lists tips on how to reach all audiences and grow your brand with inclusive social media content.
Use Inclusive Language
Inclusive language isn’t just about being politically correct; it’s about making everyone feel valued and heard. It’s like speaking in a way that welcomes everyone to the conversation. To respect all audiences, you should avoid using:
- Sexist expressions such as “boys will be boys”.
- Gender-biased language like “woman doctor” – they are just doctors.
- Generalisations or assumptions that could alienate or offend your audience. For example, please don’t assume all your customers define themselves as one gender; instead, try using gender-neutral pronouns.
- Cultural references, idioms, or phrases that may translate poorly in other languages or be misinterpreted by different audiences.
Kate Meyers Emery, senior digital communications manager at Candid, said: “A great tool for this is WittyWorks, a browser extension that alerts you to possible issues with the words you’re using. While you’ll still need to keep your own knowledge up to date, the tool can help you rethink how you’re using language.
Consider The Readability
It’s essential to consider the readability of your content, including your words and font styles, sizes, and colors. Here are some readability tips to think about:
- Studies show that fonts such as Arial, Tahoma, and Verdana are more readable for those with dyslexia.
- In addition, fancy fonts are not clear enough for screen readers to read.
- Use abbreviations and acronyms carefully, as these can confuse some readers.
Add Alt Text And Descriptions
At least 2.2 billion people across the globe have vision impairment, including blurred vision and color blindness. All images should include a written description, known as Alternative Text (Alt Text). This allows assistive tools like screen readers to narrate the description to those unable to see the image.
Add Video Subtitles
By 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people are expected to have some degree of hearing loss, making subtitles and captions a priority on social media videos. Subtitles also enhance the viewing experience for users who don’t speak English as their first language or those watching in sound-off environments.
Consider Your Hashtags
Instagram posts with at least one hashtag gain 12.6% more engagement than those without, highlighting the importance of hashtagging social media content.
Limit The Use Of Emojis And Memes
Emojis and memes are a huge part of social media in 2024, but unfortunately, they aren’t inclusive to all audiences – especially those who are visually impaired.
Wrapping Up
Incorporating inclusive content into your social media strategy will help enhance your brand’s reputation, connect you with a broader audience, and foster a sense of community and belonging. However, it’s pronounced when your intentions are superficial. So, being genuine with your inclusive content is essential, not just performative.
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