What Jimmy Fallon Can Teach You About Social Media

Even if you're not half as funny as the newly-named Tonight Show host, you can learn a few tricks from him about how to Tweet and Tumblr.

Over the years, Fallon has grown a huge presence on social media. He has more than 8.5 million followers on Twitter, and regularly makes his fans and their comments part of his show.

No wonder NBC will be bumping him to the prized Tonight Show time slot, and he'll be taking over for Jay Leno. 

Here's a few things you can learn about social media from Jimmy Fallon, even if, chances are, you're not even half as funny: 

1. Go where your audience is.

Fallon began using Twitter back in 2008, when he realized that there was already conversation about him and his skits on the site. Going where your audience is already spending time is the best way to interact with your fans and grow your avid fan base.

2. Be yourself.

Part of what makes Fallon's Tweets so entertaining is the fact that he writes 100 percent in his own voice (indeed, its a funny one, at that). Often, those who try to sound human while instead being sale-sy, wind up coming off fake. Fallon always writes like he is interacting with real people on the other side of the computer screen and talks to them as such.

3. Get creative.

One of Fallon's most popular TV segments is Late Night Hashtags. He comes up with a hashtag, asks fans to tweet using it, and then reads his favorite ones among them on the next show. The key to Fallon's success here is the types of hashtags he creates. None of them are branded with his name, the show's name, or NBC. They're all just funny. When you see the trending topic #awwhellno you wouldn't necessarily immediately think of Jimmy Fallon, but that's how he curates some of his best content, and builds community around those who are in the know.

4. Access a live audience.

One reason Fallon first started using Twitter was because he loved getting instant feedback on his skits and jokes. You too can listen to your fans (or foes) and incorporate it into your product, marketing, or strategy. Or you can make explicit requests of your audience, like Jimmy does on Tumblr, and then incorporates into his show:

5. Be timely.

Social media can't make a bad comic funny--but it can make an incredible comic's message spread way beyond it's original audience. Check out this tweet from the day NBC announced Fallon would be replacing Leno as the host of the Tonight Show.

What has Jimmy Fallon taught you about social media? 

Article courtesy of Inc. Magazine