Social media can be your best friend when used effectively. This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours on end every day on social media. It means making sure your time on social media is invested to yield best results.
Your User Name
Pick a user name that will either brand you or brand your business or project.
Once you’ve settled on two or three options, record yourself saying this user name. If it’s difficult to pronounce or could easily be mistaken for something else, that’s not the user name for you.
Remember to make it long enough to be identifiably you and short enough to be used across the various social media platforms you intend using.
Cross Promote
Every time you have something to promote, be sure to cross promote on all your social media. It may feel like you are repeating yourself but remember that not everyone uses all the same social media platforms.
Something else to remember is that your social media reach in your followers’ news feeds may not be as extensive as you would hope.
If only 5% of your followers in one social media news feed is getting your posts, the remaining 95% aren’t. You increase the chances of reaching more of that 95% percent who were missed in one social media news stream by cross promoting.
Post Regularly
While many social media gurus recommend you post daily, it all depends on your following. Set a schedule that works for you and your following, and stick to that schedule as much as possible.
There may be times when you miss a day here and there throughout the year, but overall, the consistency must be there.
Some default to free services to write and post content for them. This works for some, but if you have a more personal approach to your posts, it’s best to veer away from free services.
You may want to keep a folder on your techno-gadgetry with pre-written posts that can be shared on social media when you find yourself behind the figurative 8-ball.
Be Social
Social media isn’t about being social. While your project or product, service or sale, or brand is very important, your social media shouldn’t just be one long advertisement.
Share posts from friends and colleagues. Create hilarious memes using your own photos. Post thumbnail sketches of some crazy idea that’s running through your head at the moment.
Be approachable. Be likeable. Be fun. Be yourself.
Create A Tribe
Grow your following organically. Why? Because those who follow you on social media are those who want to know more about you and what you have to offer. What you do and what you write matters to them, and they know they matter to you.
Buying followers opens you and your followers up to hackers and bots, and neither of those will do much for you or your followers other than to make your social media numbers look somewhat impressive to those who equate social media numbers with success and quality.
Follow others on social media who are like-minded, and comment on other people’s posts. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion as long as your comments won’t harm your brand or business.
Final Note
Social media should be part of your overall marketing and promotion plan, not the only marketing and promotion tool you use to connect with the marketplace.
Remember that a lot can be accomplished with a few well placed hours invested in social media, but a lot more can be accomplished in face-to-face interactions with customers and potential customers.
Jenna Barrett Marketing 