5 Easy Steps to Consistent Results with Social Media
“I know I should use social media more effectively, but I don’t know where to start. And even if I did, I don’t have time to use it consistently.”Sound familiar? Let’s face it … nearly everyone in business knows they should be using social media more effectively. We get that it’s a cheap and effective way to connect with our audience. We know it’s the perfect avenue to establish expertise in our profession. So why aren’t we doing a better job running consistent marketing campaigns via social media outlets like Facebook, Linked In and Twitter?
Creating a consistent, strategic social media presence requires less time and technical know-how than you think -- and can yield tremendous results. Follow these 5 steps for launching and maintaining a successful social media marketing campaign:
1. Toss the Elaborate Plan. You don’t need a 72-step plan to maintain a successful social media presence. Just answer three questions:
· What do I want to accomplish with social media?
· What does my audience really need?
· Where do my goals intersect with their needs?
The intersection point of your audience's needs and your goals is your social media mission. Write it down. Every post, tweet, link and picture should relate to this mission.
2. Focus. Determine on which social media sites your target audience is most engaged and focus your efforts there — posting and engaging consistently. Once you have a comfortable schedule with your primary site, you can expand your efforts to other social media sites.
3. Set a realistic schedule and stick to it. Take an honest look at how much time you have to commit to social media for the next 6 to 12 months. Consistency is more important than frequency when you’re getting started, so tell your followers when to expect posts, schedule it on your calendar, and then post -- no excuses.
4. Create a Content Ideas File. Keep a Content Ideas File (I use Evernote), and jot down ideas for posts, tweets and links to share. When you’re stumped for what to write, jump into your ideas file for easy inspiration.
5. Hire it out. Huge conglomerates often have full-time staff dedicated to managing social media. For small businesses, investing in a savvy marketing or writing freelancer to manage social media — even temporarily — is a cost-effective solution to maximizing online marketing.
Social media is the only marketing tool where you control the message, the timing, and can interact with your audience immediately. Set aside time today to outline your social media implementation plan today.
