How to Become a Social Butterfly Online
We’ve all heard it, and we’ve all suffered a panic attack (or two) over it: social media can make or break your business. But what if you’re not very fluent in social-speak? Don’t despair, read on!
The first thing you need to know is that you’re not alone in your struggles—there are many others out there just like you! The next thing you need to know is that you can connect with those people right here! GetAssist is a great first step. Join a community attended by other business owners with the same struggles, or start one yourself. Networking, sharing ideas, surviving the inevitable “post fails,” kicking up your heels over the first thing to go viral… it’s better felt in a group!
Learn Social Media in 3 Easy Lessons
The first lesson, and probably the most significant, is learning that you don’t have to be on every social network. That’s right! Choose only the social networks that fit your strategy and goals, and ignore the rest.
So how do you know which ones to choose? Here are a few tips to help you figure it out:
- Think about your audience. Where do your potential customers hang out? Certain networks will have the right demographics, and others won’t.
- How much knowledge do you have on the different social networks? Is there one or two that you might be more familiar and comfortable posting to?
- Realize you will need to devote at least 30 minutes a day to each social network. Being too aggressive and choosing too many networks may eat up too much of your time.
- Where do you excel? Do you have great Photoshop abilities? Certain platforms are more visual, while others rely more on quality content.
The second lesson is all about creating an impeccable profile. Making a great first impression is critical. For starters, it tells your visitors you are serious. And lets face it, we make decisions to follow (or not to follow) based on feelings and reactions associated with a first impression!
Consider these parts as you create your profile:
- Username
- About/description
- Location
- URL
- Profile picture
- Cover photo
- Seed your account with five to 10 posts to give your visitors a small taste of what they can expect
*A few things to consider when you’re choosing your images and writing your content: show don’t tell, tailor your keywords to your audience, be personal and personable, consult a social media size chart for image dimensions.
The third lesson is establishing voice, tone, time and frequency. Whew! Sounds like a lot, but we’re breaking it down for you.
- Voice: voice, in simple terms, is your brand’s personality (positive, professional, upbeat, etc.)
- Tone: tone is the flavor based on your audience
If your brand were a person, what kind of personality would it have? Answer this question, and you’ll find the right voice and tone for your social presence.
- Time and Frequency: how many times, how often, what sort of posts, etc. Everyone battles for the golden answer to these questions. The best advice is to test and analyze and see what works for you. Rule of thumb: it’s better to not post, than to post something irrelevant just to post.
The Last Piece of the Puzzle
Beyond posting, engage with your audience! When people talk to you, listen and talk back to them. Social media is one big social conversation – a conversation among potential customers, referrals, colleagues. Schedule time each day, whether it’s 20 minutes or two hours, to engage with your audience. You’ll be glad you did.
And now that you’ve got a solid plan on entering the digital social scene, make sure to share it with your community on GetAssist. Who knows, they may have a few secrets of their own to share. Plug-in and network… and connect with a purpose that will serve you and your community!
