So… “Where do I start?”
1. Decide which platform(s) to use.
Don’t try to be on all the platforms – this is a guaranteed way to drive yourself crazy. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Reddit, Youtube, Google+, and the list goes on! Become really familiar with one or two, then dive into other platforms (if needed).
Decide which platform to use based on where your audience hangs out. If you’re a graphic designer, photographer, or an artist – Instagram is your jam. My husband is a graphic designer and I often say that Instagram is his playground. Don’t waste energy on a platform where your content won’t be effective.
2. Social Media Audit
Optimize your bio pages. The information should be accurate, and to the point. If using links, make sure they work. Broken links are bad for business. Your users will leave your site if they find them. Google will penalize your ranking if it finds them. Bleh! Also, think about placing keywords in your product/service descriptions and in your about section.
3. Social Media Goals
Your social media goals should align with your business goals. If you post without purpose, your social presence won’t be effective. Do you want more traffic to your website? Do you want sales? Where is it that you want your audience to go and what do you want them to do?
4. Content Calendar
Having a plan is one of the best things you can do for your social media strategy. Decide what types of content to post – then present the material in an intentional way. Make weekly or daily themes. If you are a clothing boutique, create a scarves week – how to wear them, kinds of scarves, a blog about how to tie a scarf, pictures of the scarves you carry, etc. Then the next week might be all bout leggings. Whatever product or service you sell, organize your content to make the biggest impact.
5. Engagement
The word “social” is often forgot about in social media. If all I do is sell to my audience, I will find myself without an audience very quickly. The best rule of thumb is 80% content, pictures, infographics, educational content, fun content, etc. Focus on engagement and build the know, like, and trust factor. Focus the other 20% on selling – but even then I would still emphasize why your product or service is beneficial.