Part 2 of 2
In this Locally mini-series, we will be looking at which social media platforms could be the best fit for small businesses, based on their industry and ‘type’. In Part 1, we looked at which social media platforms could work for your business, by identifying categories of business.
In this second part, we will be looking at how you can not only create goals for social media marketing but how to make them stick, so that your business gets the best exposure from social media that it can.
The story so far…
We have looked at the many differing kinds of social media platforms there are and how joining them all, could lead to disaster – after all, you have a business to run and you cannot be updating everything all of the time…
We also looked at some social platforms in relation to specific sectors of business and how they can be used to not only connect with customers, but advertise and market the business too.
But, we also suggested that some social media experts are suggesting that Facebook and Twitter are almost compulsory, but rather than just assume and sign on up, we suggested that this really was you choice – after all, if your customers are not there, why spend hours on it?
Have you made your choices?
By now, you may have decided which social platforms are the right vehicle for your business; for those local businesses with a more visual appeal, using Instagram for example would be a great start. For those with a younger audience, Snapchat could present an interesting forum and YouTube is also popular as ever.
So with choices made, and your business profile created, all you need to do is sit back and watch that popularity counter whizz up and up and up.
(Nothing happens. Carry on waiting)
Social media goals
Without having some form of clear idea or structure, your social media platform will either fizzle in to nonexistence or it’ll be so wrong, that you could actually damage your reputation.
The good news is twofold – this doesn’t have to take ages and they don’t need to be complicated but, to help you out here at 5 easy, simple steps to making your social media aims and objectives stick (and a sneaky step 6 too…)
Step 1: SEE your goals
This is a really useful tip that you can use beyond your social media platforms! We came across Lifetick, a fabulous app that helps you order your thoughts and then see your progress towards the goals you have.
But, don’t forget that your social media objectives should be SMART – specific, measureable, achievable, relevant and time bound. Setting a goal and being able to measure your progress towards them is essential.
Step 2: Pen and Paper
Even though we are surrounded by technology, sometimes a blank piece of paper and coloured pens are your best gadgets.
Having a social media presence is more than just ‘doing it because everyone else is’; you need to be able to compete with your competitors, gain custom and trade and create a buzz around your product, service and company.
Step 3: Create an action plan
This might take some more time, but it can also be the most fun part.
Example:
Social Platform: Twitter
This is your main social platform that you use to push your brand and company into the business eye, therefore your presence needs to a daily occurrence.
You may want to partake or even create your own #hashtag trend but, you also need to know how successful you Twitter presence is; there are various apps that can do this but one we quite like is Sumall. This app will show you all the analytics involved in your account, providing clear information on which posts worked best and when.
We suggest prioritising your social media presence too and which one is the driving force in your online campaign and presence.
Step 4: Deadlines
The problem with social media is that it is an open ended task… and the problem with open ended tasks is that they can bobble along for a long time… and the problem with is that we never feel like we have accomplished or finished anything.
For some people, this makes no difference to their working day; for others, it is a source of ongoing tension and the feeling of being on a treadmill of ‘finished one thing, straight on to start another’.
To stop this negativity eating away and then your social media objectives falling by the wayside, setting deadlines for which social media projects are reviewed/stopped/curtailed so that something new can start is the way of stopping the rot from setting in.
A deadline, after all, refines the mind and focuses the thinking.
Step 5: Throw in a really big goal
We can be too cautious. The thought of setting a goal and then thinking it may not come off can be a step too far; no one like or seeks failure. But, how about taking a chance? A manageable risk with one of your social media goals that if you don’t get there won’t cause the company to collapse or for you to throw yourself into exile…?
On Twitter, you will have followers… you may have 2,346 at the moment. How about doubling that in 2 months? Off you go…
(There are many examples of stretching goals but we won’t go on; you know the sort but stay away from those ‘dodgy’ followers that tell you for a fiver, they’ll get you a million likes or followers by midnight Tuesday)
And finally…
You have worked hard. You have researched which social media platforms are right for your business, you have created goals and an action plan and you have started your campaign.
You have a review date in your calendar and so, because we are Locally we are going to sneak in another step…
Step 6: Celebrate your success
We have loads of ideas… but we think you can think of something for yourself on this occasion!
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