How to Write an End-Of-Year Post that People Want to Read
Soon, our news feeds will be flooded with end-of-year posts. People will be showcasing their achievements, you’ll come across plenty of photos and videos, and perhaps even listen to some podcasts that summarize the year. Maybe you’ve seen some of these posts in the past and felt inclined to share your own thoughts as well. If that’s you, make this your year to start! There’s never been a better time.
But how do you make it engaging for readers? How do you make it something that people actually want to read?
The answer is simple: make it honest.
If you want to write something that truly makes people think and motivates them to take action, then write the truth. Provide people with a genuine insight into what this year has been like for you. Discuss the challenges you faced and explain what you’ve learned from overcoming them.
Now, this is easier said than done. It's difficult to write the truth; we have a lot at stake. There’s a lot on the line.
If we let people into our worlds and tell them what really happened, will they see us as less credible? Will our honesty undermine our professionalism?
These are valid questions. And I believe the sweet spot lies somewhere in the middle. You can choose to share an honest story with your followers without compromising your professionalism and credibility. When done tastefully and tactfully, a vulnerable post doesn’t push people away. In fact, it draws them towards you and grabs their attention. When you are honest, people can see your humanity. When they can relate to your story, they feel more connected to you.
Personal Branding Tip
Here's how to write an End-of-Year Post:
Write a stream of consciousness. Take the time to reflect on your year without any shame, in the privacy of your own space. Set the mood with candles and your favorite music, and take your time to truly reflect. This is for your eyes only.
Read your stream of consciousness as if you were an outsider. Read it without judging yourself. What do you notice? What do you like about it? What do you dislike? Ask yourself if there is anything from that stream of consciousness that you feel compelled to share with others. Is there a lesson you’ve learned? A hardship you’ve overcome? Or a silver lining you want to acknowledge?
Envision your post. Would you like to make a video? Or perhaps you prefer to write a long-form caption for Instagram with a photo included? Here are some examples of end-of-year posts: Example One - "I Got Everything I Wanted this Year, but it wan't Thrilling:" Example Two - "Dear 2022"
Create your post. Set aside dedicated time to work on it and let your creativity flow. Explore different angles, experiment with different formats, and have fun throughout the creative process.
Share your post. Consider the best time to post your content for maximum visibility and engagement. While I find that Sunday evenings at 7PM EDT tend to be effective, I encourage you to experiment and find the posting time that works best for you.
Personal Question
Do you want people to be impressed by you? Or do you want them to feel connected to you?
Being impressed by someone may result in respect or admiration, but feeling connected to someone is what fosters loyalty and motivates action.
We want to follow people we can get behind. People we feel connected to. We’re rooting for that person, not the person who looks like they have it all together all the time.
So, I dare you. Write something honest this year.
When you're ready, here are three ways I can help you build your Personal Brand:
Storytelling 101: A mini course to help you create cinematic videos for Instagram and TikTok. Learn which apps to use, how to film yourself in public, and how to create beautiful content in less time.
Personal Brand Accelerator: A 3-month program to help you build your personal brand. Join the waitlist for our next round in January, 2024.
Full Service Personal Brand Development: Work directly with my team and I to build your personal brand. Walk away with a stunning personal website, brand photos, social media strategy, and a powerful, consistent brand message that accurately conveys who you are and what you do. Now booking for Winter 2024 (only 2 spots left).
See you next week!
Anna Vatuone annavatuone.com
