Mastering social media and controlling your social media content takes dedication and time. But by taking the time to do it, you'll be rewarded by having your message heard and gaining growth in your business.
Don't know where to start?
Here are 6 steps to create your own content management plan...
1) Take the Time to Make the Time
You may tend to push off social media marketing as a quick task that can be accomplished at another time. As a result, you may end up not getting around to it at all. In order to avoid making this mistake, try scheduling social media marketing time into your day and treat it like any other appointment. If you're not sure how much time to dedicate, a good starting place is 15 minutes, three times a day and work up from there.
2) Decide What Networks You Will Use
Regardless of what social media "experts" say, there isn't one social media network that is perfect for every business. Trying to cover all types of social media is extremely time consuming and can be overwhelming so focus on two or three that will bring you the best results. Ask yourself, "Where do my customers spend their time?" and "What networks do I actually enjoy using?" to find out what will work best for your business.
3) Determine How Frequently You Will Use Social Media
Think about your end goals...
•How many people do you want to connect with?
•How many conversations do you want to participate in?
•How often do you want to promote your own content?
•Who do you want to connect with?
Try not to think of social media as an item on your to-do list. Rather, think of the relationships you are building. Concentrate on the end goals instead of how many times you will post each day. And don't be afraid to change your media routine to fit with changes in your business. The digital version of my book, Pilot to Profit: Navigating Modern Entrepreneurship to Build Your Business Using Online Marketing, Social Media, Content Marketing and Sales, recently launched which meant I was much more active on social media during that time.
4) Start Sourcing or Community Building
Sourcing, or building your social media community, is vital to your social media marketing success. As you connect with people on social media, keep in mind that it's important to build quality relationships, not just quantity.
5) Take Time to Engage with People
Social media should not be about talking AT people. Don't focus on just selling or finding new business leads. You should capitalize on the opportunities that can be gained by conversing with people and listening to what they have to say. Engage with your followers and reap the benefits.
6) Make a Schedule
Use a schedule as a guide. You don't need to have each post planned ahead of time, but have an idea of what you would like to see your page look like and follow that plan. You can use a calendar, spreadsheet or checklist to keep you on track and help you reach your social media goals.
A social media content management plan will help you save time, focus your social media efforts and build your business.