So establishing structure in your social media will allow you to create better quality posts and find it quicker and easier to create and curate relevant content.
Now for those of you who are new to this blog please understand that this 3 step plan is a BARE MINIMUM for small business who don't have a social media plan and don't have a clue where to start. It can be daunting trying to establish a starting point, but planning your social media isn't rocket science and this post is all about simplifying the process and getting SOMETHING happening, which in my opinion is better than NOTHING.
So here it is in 3 easy steps to help those of you who are scratching your heads trying to keep up with all your social media accounts.
1. Remember the big picture
Now it should be said at this point that your social media should be a part of a largeronline/offline strategy, you really need to have a "big picture" approach to your marketing. Social media is simply another channel for communication. Your social media message should be consistent with all of your current communications or at the very least compliment them.
Integrating your promotions across all your communication channels will provide a more comprehensive broadcast of your current message. Imagine a choir of 30 people all singing 10 different Christmas carols at the same time, each song would be indecipherable. Now picture that same choir singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" together, all the voices complimenting each other to create a powerful and easily understood message.
Your marketing is far more powerful when all the voices work together, your website should echo your current offline promotions, with your social media providing context and relevance by fleshing out your message.
2. Break it down
Small bite size pieces makes a huge task seem easy.1. Have a theme established for each month, this should coincide with any advertising or promotions you have going at that time (see point 1).
2. Break each months theme into weekly topics.
3. Each weekly topic gets broken down into its key points and VOILA... you have something to work with!
3. Fill the Gaps
Now you have some structure, its time to flesh your plan out. Having a plan that determines your content allows you to focus your online search, minimising the time spent down the Google search rabbit hole and provide you with more meaningful and relevant ideas to post. Not only that but now you may feel inspired to create more of your own content knowing that it is apart of a bigger picture and has a greater purpose than simply posting another random inspirational quote.Real World
OK... ...lets plan December for a Florist and flesh it out as an example.
Obviously the December message will be all about Christmas and the holidays, I've geared the weekly topics into sales type ideas, Flowers as Presents, Christmas Flower arrangements and Flowers for Parties. Lots of images to compliment each post will give the updates a more natural delivery, remember that social media is a communications channel, and keep the tone relevant to your brand.
Week 1
Flowers as Presents
Monday: Establish the Blooming Christmas presents topic...
Tuesday: Flowers in season for Christmas...5 images
Wednesday:Christmas promotion linked to website: Enter the draw to win $250 worth of Christmas table bouquets by simply ordering flowers as a gift for somebody else.
Thursday: Message: Delivering right up until Christmas Eve...Christmas delivery image
Friday: Message: We deliver to nursing homes...image of elderly lady with flowers
Week 2
Flowers for the Christmas Table
Monday: Message: Christmas order deadlines...don't miss out...image of a Christmas calender
Tuesday: TOPIC: Table arrangements for Christmas...4 images of table settings.
Wednesday: Announce winner of promotion
Thursday: Beautiful table decoration ideas, picture posts all day
Friday: DIY Christmas arrangement video...
Week 3
Flowers for Summer Parties
Monday: Message: Last minute table flower ordering... image of the promotion winner picking up flowers
Tuesday: Message: Planning your flowers for new years...
Wednesday: Summer party ideas...8 images of summer dinner party ideas to inspire
Thursday: Message: Christmas delivery times
Friday: Perfect party flower arrangements...4 images of summer table arrangements
SO...
- Planning your social media will save you time in the long run
- Giving your social media direction and focus will develop better content, more likes and increased leads
- Please remember this is a quick 15 minute plan its not going to be perfect...but it is better than not having a plan at all.
Do you already have a social media plan in place?
How do you keep on top of your social media updates?
Id love to hear from you, feel free to comment below.
NEXT WEEK: I continue on the Social Media trail and discuss the huge range of social media options available for small business other than Facebook.
(Image from "http://www.freeimageslive.co.uk")
