As entrepreneurs, we are always looking for ways to improve our social media game. There are constantly new innovative ways and platforms being introduced to us every day, that sometimes it's just hard to keep up!
But, despite the changing algorithms and new technology begin served up every day, there are a few ways you can improve your social media presence without spending too much time educating yourself.
The key is to master what you already know and use it to your full benefit. Here are my top five things to help you improve your presence through social media:
1 - Create A Social Media Game Plan
It all starts with a strong sense of commitment. Make social media a priority for your organization and come up with a solid strategy. Dedicate resources toward building your social accounts. If you have the resources, set up an internal team for managing these accounts and handling related social media tasks. Research what your competition is doing and see what you can learn from both their mistakes and their successful social media campaigns. Follow leaders and influencers in the industry and check out how they are leveraging social media to spark ideas and get inspiration.
2 - Don't Be Afraid Of Social Media Automation Tools
If not handled strategically, social media can severely strain resources, including your precious time. This type of tool can automate tedious social media management tasks and make your business life much easier! You can, for instance, schedule posts and structure a content calendar and even set up evergreen content that will post in a loop, giving you a never-ending social media content queue. In other words, determine what type of content you will post in advance and on which channel. Make sure to use appropriate content (e.g. longer-than-wide images on Twitter and Facebook, but hashtags only on Twitter, not Facebook). Additionally, try to handle work in batches of similar tasks, such as scheduling, copywriting, image crafting, research, etc.
3 - Focus Your Efforts On Social Media
There are so many social networks today and being active on all of them is not an option for many small businesses. And that is totally fine. For starters, it is actually wise to focus on a limited number of major networks and avoid spreading yourself too thin. Take your pick according to your set goals and your target audience. Be wherever potential customers are and achieve maximum ROI. Narrow it down and carve out your niche. Close your account on a network that does not bring real value to your business.
4 - Measure & Monitor Your Social Media Accounts
To rise above the noise, you need to set tangible and measurable goals. Likewise, take your time establishing metrics for measuring and evaluating your impact. You might want to focus on brand awareness, customer retention, lead generation, improved sales, social signals and other key performance indicators (or KPI). Note that you can also rely on data intelligence companies to carry out professional social media monitoring. That way, you would be able to better support your decision-making and gain deeper insight into how to best use your social media outreach efforts.
5 - Brand Your Voice On Social Media
Small businesses should use social media profiles as open-ended platforms for communication. There is so much you can do in terms of interacting with your audience: discuss your services, share stories, talk about your brand, promote events, announce offers, etc. Through it all, you need to speak with a distinctive, coherent voice. Figure out the right tone for YOUR business – and stick to it! This is what enables your audience to have a great experience and perceive your brand in a positive light.
To reach new heights in the burgeoning social landscape, form a well-thought-out strategy. Set the right tone and direct your efforts into achieving goals. Engage your fans and followers in conversations and treat them to great content. Utilize software solutions to automate various tasks. Make an impact with images, videos, and info-graphics. Be consistent and deliver on your promises. Keep learning and fine-tuning your tactics.
This smart approach will empower you to cut through the immense marketing noise out there— it’s time to kick your social game into overdrive.
With Love | Nikki xo