Words That Sell: The Top 10 Power Words for Social Media Posts

Are there certain words I can use to get more likes, shares, and comments on my social media posts? My English is pretty good, but I still feel lost when it comes to the more subtle differences between words.

—Jun

The answer to Jun’s question is—yes, there are certain words you can use to get more likes, shares, and comments on your social media posts. These words are known as power words.

We wrote about power words in a previous article on how to supercharge your business emails. But power words can also transform a lackluster social media post into one that will stand out in a crowded feed.

What are power words?

Power words are strong, emotional, and persuasive, the kind of words that make your message sound more exciting and convincing. This, in turn, cranks up your engagement, generating those much-needed likes, shares, and comments.

Let’s take a look at two sentences to see how this works:

• Our sale is starting soon.
• Hurry! Our big sale starts NOW!

The second sentence sounds more exciting because it uses power words like “hurry,” “big,” and “now.”

What are the Top 10 power words for social media?

The English language has dozens—maybe even hundreds—of power words. Below you will find 10 power words that are especially effective for social media posts, along with examples of how to use them.

1. Free

Everyone loves getting something for free. It can be free merchandise, a free subscription, a free song, a free newsletter, etc. “Free” is a power word that will definitely draw attention to your social media post.

• Click here for a free MP3 of my new single “Shake It, Bro”.
• When you sign up for our webinar, you get a free ebook to guide you through the course.

Bonus Tip: “Free” is great, but use it sparingly. Otherwise, your offers will sound spammy or too good to be true.

2. You/your

Using “you” and “your” gives your posts a more personal touch. It sounds like you are speaking directly to your audience. (This paragraph you are reading right now is an example.) “You” also helps your posts stand out from self-absorbed social media influencers whose content is all about themselves.

• Are you worried about sun damage to your skin? This BB cream will protect your face from harmful UV rays.
• Have you seen this article about the importance of taking vitamin D supplements during the winter months?

3. Now

The word “now” encourages people to take immediate action rather than scrolling past your post. It’s great for limited-time offers and urgent messages.

• Quantities are limited, so order your copy of our real estate investment guide now!
• Tickets are selling fast, so click here to buy yours now!

Bonus Tip: In addition to “now”, you can use other power words like “hurry” and “limited” and “today” to let your audience know that whatever you are offering right now will not be available forever.

 

4. New

Everyone wants to stay updated on the latest trends, products, and ideas. “New” makes your content sound exciting, relevant, and fresh.

• Check out our new line of rain gear for dogs!
• We started filming our new music video today.

5. Secret

“Secret” is a word that suggests mystery and intrigue. It appeals to people’s curiosity and makes them eager to learn more. “Secret” works well for blog titles, tips & tricks, and marketing.

• Buying beachfront property? Here’s a secret that real estate professionals don’t want you to know!
• Professional pet photographer Bob E. Barkz reveals five secrets to taking perfect pictures of your pooch.

6. Easy

No matter what you are offering, “easy” will make it sound simple, quick, and achievable. Imagine you’re scrolling through your own social media feed and you see one recipe for chocolate chip cookies that’s “easy” and another one that’s “hard”. Which one would you choose?

• Does your garage look like a junkyard? Here are some easy ways to keep it clean and organized.
• Here are 15 easy crafts that you can make with ordinary household items—no trip to the craft store needed!

Note: Make sure your solution really is easy. You’ll lose credibility if you promise your audience that they can assemble a DIY bookshelf in five easy steps when it will actually take them hours (plus help from a skilled carpenter) to finish the job.

7. Proven

People are more likely to believe in something that has been tested and proven. This power word makes your offer sound reliable and trustworthy.

• Do your kids struggle with math? Check out these proven techniques that will help them succeed.
• These lifestyle changes are proven to reduce your blood pressure.

Bonus Tip: If you decide to use “proven” in your social media post, be sure to back up your claims with data, customer reviews, or academic studies. This adds another layer of trust.

8. Join

“Join” gives people a sense of belonging. It’s perfect for growing a community, such as a Facebook group, an email list, or a membership program. You can also use “join” to promote concerts, book signings, conferences, and other real-life events.

• Join us at the Hilltop Coffee House for a night of music, refreshments, and fun.
• Join us on Zoom and discover a new, risk-free way to invest in commercial real estate.

9. Save

People love to find a good deal. And let’s not forget that everyone wants to save time as well as money!

• Buy two or more books and save 50% on shipping.
• Grocery shopping for a large family can be a challenge, but here are some ways to save money—and time!

Bonus Tip: If you are offering customers a discount on a product, be sure to roll out some numbers and show them how much money they will be saving.

10. Guarantee/guaranteed

People often hesitate before making a purchase or decision, especially when they are on the internet and they aren’t sure if something (or someone) is trustworthy. “Guaranteed” helps remove those doubts.

• All of our hair care products come with a 100% money-back guarantee.
• This product is guaranteed to reduce skin blemishes within 30 days.

Note: Be sure to stand by your guarantee, or your reputation will be on the line. You could even face legal consequences.

Can you use more than one power word per social media post?

Of course! You can mix and match the power words above to craft a message especially tailored to your brand and audience. Try experimenting with different combinations to see what works best for you. Here are a couple of examples:

• Our new ebook is free to the first 100 customers who sign up for our mailing list.
• Have you tried every fad diet on the market, but you still aren’t losing weight? Join our weight loss workshop on Zoom to learn some new and proven strategies that will help you take off those extra pounds.

Bonus Tip: Too many power words in one post can sound fake or spammy. Try to keep things balanced.

Which power words will you use in your next post? Let us know in the comments! And if you’d like a human editor to look over your post to make sure everything sounds natural, click the blue box below.