How to Utilize Social Media for Your Business: Part 1

Getting started with social media for your business can be extremely overwhelming. Besides the multiple choices for social media sites, you also have to decide which content to post. Instead of spreading yourself too thin, it's important to make the right decisions so you can stand our amongst the noise.

If you know what you're doing, it can be easy to start using social media for your business. Here are a few tips to help you get started with social media in a manageable and effective way.

Pick ONE Social Media Site to Focus On

A while back, I wrote a post about choosing the right social media platform for your business. Trying to do too much too fast can be overwhelming and it can also prevent you from learning how to use each social media platform effectively. For now, narrow your focus to one site so you can learn how to use it well.

Create a Social Media Schedule

It is very easy to get sucked in when it comes to social media. While this would be a good way for you to learn the ropes, you probably have many others things to focus on for your business. Set aside a couple of hours a day to work on social media, and don't get sucked in. Make the schedule easy to manage and stick to it.

Define Your Goals and Objectives

Once you have an idea of how much time you can dedicate toward social media, you will need to make sure you have a clear set of goals. What would you like to accomplish through social media? Define your goals and objectives, and include progress checks to make sure you're on the right track along the way.

Determine Your Approach

There are many ways to approach social media and many tools to help make it more manageable as well. The key is to define your approach before your get started so you know what needs to get done. Will you communicate product information, provide industry-related news, or offer a mix of business and personal information? Create an outline of your intended approach and work it into your goals as you get started.

Create Your Social Media Account

Ok so you've chosen a site, you've created a schedule, you've got your goals and objectives, and your approach which means you're ready to create your account. Make sure to completely fill out your profile and keep it consistent with your branding. The more information you include on your social media sites, the better off you are.

Once you begin to explore more than one social media site, you need to make sure to remain consistent across the board. While each site is different, and requires a unique approach, you want your message to be consistent. This will help in brand recognition, broader reach, and ongoing communication with the same contacts on multiple sites.

Alright, you should be ready to get started, just make sure to measure your success along the way and adjust your plans as needed. Each social media site requires a unique approach so it can be a smart move to observe what other businesses are doing on social media to learn the ins and outs to promote your business. If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me! What ways have you approached social media? Let me know in the comments below!

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