Why have you joined the social media world?
Some social networkers are there for purely egotistical reasons. They don't want to engage in the conversation. They simply collect followers and friends in order to have bragging rights every time they collect another thousand. But connecting, following or befriending just anyone dilutes your influence and standing among those in your audience.
Others join because they feel they must. They spend a few days setting up their profiles and then abandon them when other tasks call.
The real motivation for any business social networker is connection: You should want to connect with like-minded people who can help your business and whose businesses you can assist. You want to add to the conversation, and not come across as desperate, spammy or a waste of time. If you develop a bad reputation in these communities, it will be hard to shake off.
But making such strong, real connections takes time, effort and thoughtfulness. If you never return to your profiles, you and your business will be forgotten (best case) or seen as unconnected, clueless or lazy (worst case). If you post too much, people might consider you a pest and stop following you.
Some social networkers are the worst of both worlds: They don’t post to their blog or text their friends or colleagues for weeks at a time. They don’t reply to messages sent to them, and the company site looks like it has gone out of business. Then, without any warning, they’re back . . . alive . . . and conversing. Was the organization’s social networking person out of the country? Did they suffer a grave illness? Nope. They were just distracted, disorganized, sidetracked or overworked. There’s no method to the company’s madness in being a social networking participant. Not committed. No strategy. Its influence will never be felt. The competition will soon fill the void.
Whether your company is a one-person business or a large organization, your commitment to social networking should be consistent, compelling and informative. The social networking community is a fragile, collaborative ecosystem. Make the commitment. People will follow a trail of dependable, exciting, instructive news. But once the trail goes cold, they’re gone and likely never to return.
Being a social media maniac isn’t the right persona either. You know who we’re talking about. These people can answer emails on their laptops with one hand while texting friends or colleagues on their iPhones with the other. They can’t be looked in the eye when talking because their heads are always looking down at some screen. This behavior may be seen as good technology gone bad.
The key is to strike a balance somewhere in the middle. Avoid becoming a social media ignorer or a social media maniac. Develop a social networking schedule that does not run your life but does keep you accountable. The goal should be consistency. Choose a schedule and stay the course for at least six months. As you find success, you can slowly grow your social networking persona.
The sample social networking agenda below can be used as a springboard for designing one that suits your schedule and the community channels you’ve joined.
Twice Daily in the Morning and Afternoon
- Check Twitter via a program like HootSuite. Respond when necessary. Follow the @replies that make sense.
- Check LinkedIn. Reply to emails and comments when appropriate.
- Scan Twitter followers for relevant conversations to join.
- Check your business's Facebook Page for questions and respond when necessary.
- Scan Google Alerts for brand and company mentions. Respond as appropriate.
Weekly or on Weekends
- Build Twitter Lists to better organize ongoing discussions and special interest groups. Set up saved searches in Hootsuite to find out if people are talking about you or your company.
- Scan LinkedIn questions from network connections and respond when appropriate.
- Catch up on LinkedIn discussions. Add to discussion when appropriate.
- Send LinkedIn invitations to connect with clients when beginning a new assignment.
- Ask for LinkedIn recommendation after successfully completing a project or engagement.
- Add new content to Facebook like videos or photos.
- Think of ways to repurpose this content and energy to reach a larger audience with the social networking gospel.
- Keep an eye open for new social networking venues, tools, and functionality that will make the social networking experience more enjoyable and easier to traverse.
- Identify new social networking influencers and build relationships where appropriate.
Through the Week
- Mondays: Schedule tweets through HootSuite to go out three times per day at regular intervals.
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Join one hot trend conversation on Twitter, if appropriate, and add new content to Facebook (new items you are selling, photos, discounts and other promotions).
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: Respond to blog comments.
- Fridays: Check traffic at your blog or website.
Obviously, your daily social networking to-do list will be much different, given your available time and commitments. Just be sure to make the schedule livable. If it’s not working, change it. Keep making modifications until it works for you.
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Comments:
Thanks for sharing this. really good inspiration on how to create SMM schedule.
Thank you very much. I have some work to do here to get my Social Media Networking organised.
I am having a laugh at the number of times this blog has been ripped off by other blogs!
Nice spam...
Hey...we're all inconsistent at times...you just have to pick yourself back up and keep trying.
Thesis...I love you guys...have a great 2012!
Carol...there certainly is a game like atmosphere for some people...glad you're out there for business.
Phillip you're spot on consistency is everything in social media.
Good article John. It's easy to be Mr. Social Media one week, throwing dozens of hours at it, and completely neglect it the next. Planning it is the key, as you say, but this should simply be an extension of planning everything else you do in a day. Good time management is crucial.
Really like the suggested time table for checking in and updating social media.
It's about making connections for mutual gain and revenue. Nice clarity and focus on exactly what to do. It's so easy to either forget to work social media, or get caught up in the game like atmosphere.
thanks to shearing such a good information with us.
Oh dear I am guilty about the lack of consistency! Thanks for top info shared here, much appreciated.
Great and especially liked the weekly suggestions on how to keep on top of it all.
Its quite a common talk.....no ideas on how to get organised , when to start up, where to start up and how to get the people engaged.
SocialGO #2 social website creator is quoted at LSE and has a marketcap of less then 5 million GBP! Shareprice .01GBP. SocialGO is very easy to use (drag and drop), a social website is created within minutes. Keeping full control over the content and thus stay in control over your privacy.
I would only add, remember to leave comments every once in a while where appropriate like this one.
Very interesting discussing! Thanks for initiating the conversation. It is important to participate in however, as Cicik said, it should be informative yet relevant.
Helpful. What i miss and would advise is starting the whole adventure with setting some clear goals. Could be as simple as 'i'd like to know how it all works' or 'i would like to get to know my consumers'. But can be more advanced if you define some themes and topics you'd like to engage upon. As a brand or as a person. That's also helps focus the time and interaction you'll have in the online social networks.
This is quite helpful indeed. The tendency is to join these social networks without having thought clearly what one intends to do with it.
Exactly. Why put on the appearances of connection if you don't want to relate?
It's good that you are going with an integrative approach. Anyone who doesn't use social media these days is missing out on a big piece of the funding pie.
Yeah, I don't like when people don't interact on social media. I know we all do it from time to time or in certain platforms. But what is the point of people being on these platforms if they are not willing to engage?
Yes, agreed, balance and sustainability in all things, inc. "social media" networking ...! - that is, work-permitting - now, back to which ...! Thanks for having generated/mediated the discussion ... Cheers, Corinne
Yes a common sense approach. I'm currently havung great fun -spending too long 'playing' with social media tools. Think I'll give your time-table plan a try. Thanks, Gill
agree with you David, should be consistent, compelling and informative.
Excellent article, makes a lot of sense. Many thanks for taking the time to share it.
Thats true. Distractions are the main killers of getting it right.
This is very helpful. Many thanks
its really owsomthing that we people need. Thanx to enterprenuer
Your article offers excellent details and will jump start anyone's social media posting schedule. Thank you for sharing. Cheers, Regina
I am slowly figuring out my social media schedule. Social Media Marketing is HUGE for our business, people need to see us in action!(especially since we are a talent staffing agency) We try to keep it up on a daily basis, but there are so many other things to be done within the business it almost seems impossible. I do agree with this model, and will try to use it to facilitate my "BALANCE" - Rachel Bowman, Co-Founder. @irisblutweet:twitter www.facebook.com/irisblumarketing
Great information and insight David! Thank you so much...
thanks for this.
Glad you made it back Holly. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
The rising tide lifts all boats...it's an overused quote but still holds true today. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Derek good luck. I'm a visual learner...It's always easier for me to start someone new if someone gives me an idea of how to move forward. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
You have a point...we have clients in more than 30 countries...some are social media savvy and some are not. You have to plan your marketing strategy around how the people communicate. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Katy...above all be flexible...if you fall behind on your schedule...just pick up where you left off. Forget about the days you missed. There's already enough guilt in this world. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Go for it Lucy. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Good luck...have a plan...some goals...some ways to measure success and you'll make it. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
I am a firm believer in starting slow...I don't like to be first...I like to be a fast follower. Start slow and you'll have success. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Good point Janet....I know of one person that spends 4.5 hours a day on social media...I don't know how she gets her work done. I spend evenings after dinner catching up on what people are saying. 30-60 minutes is enough for me. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
This makes a lot of sense especially the issue about our web sites and the message we are sending to prospective clients. The truth be told though it is much easier to work on another's Social Media profile than mine. Because I want to build a client base. Anyway, correction taken. Thanks
Developing a plan of what and when I agree is important and can help you to stay focused and on track. There's no need to spend 5 hours a day on social media, in 1 hour you can do a lot if you know what you are doing.
This makes sense. I will try a simlar schedule but will not try twitter just yet! Need to build momentum. My agency is so dynamic but one would never know it from our social media efforts!
Very informative.and enlightening tips. Thanks! QueenJudith-Nez
Very helpful information. Just getting into committed social media use. This will help our organizaiton.
Love the examples of the schedule, really hepful!
Great advice. Especially the emphasis on relating. The "social" in social media is so often forgotten
Great tips, John. Very useful and interesting. I agree with "The key is to strike a balance somewhere in the middle.Avoid becoming a social media ignorer or a social media maniac". The ancient Rome people said "In medio stat virtus".
Helpful guidance - particularly like the structured schedule - it is prompting me to commit to using social media in a more planned and strategic way - thanks!
it is helpful however, it does not tell a full story of it it might not be this kind of thing in undeveloped countries
Thank you for sharing and especially giving the example schedule. I am just beginning to invest some time and commitment to developing valuable contacts in the media marketing arena, and understand clearly the important points you highlighted. Thank you once again.
With the speed in which technology and business is evolving, it's great to have one another share helpful hints. Teaming up for successful growth with only take social media leaps and bounds into the future, and you/we can brainstorm options and successful. Thank you for the summary.
I have had this article flagged to read but finally got to it now! Yes, 'consistent, compelling and informative.' - Consistency and time are the two points in my experience are key to social media success as well as integration with other marketing channels. A great, clear article especially with the example schedule. Holly
These are great tips! Love the sample weekly schedule!
Love the post, I am going to use this schedule to keep us on track with our social media!
John - You hit the nail on the head! Fantastic work!
This is a great post, thanks for sharing John. I struggle with what to post to our nonprofit's Facebook Page and haven't formally surveyed our Likers to see what they want to know about our organization. I definitely don't want to be an over-sharer and add to the noise, but feel the need let people know about the stories we post on our blog about our courses and programs to connect kids to the outdoors.
Eileen...even I'd adapted the post...because more comments are coming in than I can handle during my day...I end up sitting up in bed at the end of the day catching up.
Josh, we take a look through the hashtags we always pay attention to--in our case, "#eventprofs" and "#philly," for example--and add those to the newsfeed and lists. Likewise, we also keep tabs on any existing conferences out there that have active hashtags.
@Eileen, absolutely agree. So many people are calling themselves experts in this field now, it's so nice to recognize that there is a tried-and-true form that can spring from just good time management!
Thanks for the article and reminder that if it's not scheduled, it just won't happen on a consistent basis! I will use this as a guideline in improving our own schedule.
This was a really great, thoughtful post. Though everyone will adapt it slightly I think it's helpful for busy social media managers to have a base to start their planning from. I'm sharing and printing!
Honestly if you target ads correctly on Facebook you really don't need any help. Check it out! it's really easy and you can target in many different ways. Like I said, we got over 500 likes the first month and 2/3 of them came directly from the facebook targeted ads.
Thanks for joining the conversation. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Mandy...I'm not necessarily disagreeing..but we all know there are only so many hours in a day. This post is being read by over 10,000 people each day. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Spot on...my calendar idea is just a starting point...I know each person will build what works best for them. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Lynn...thanks for help to spread the word. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Jump in the social media pool...the water is fine....enjoy what you do...Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Thanks Steve...Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Rudy...thanks for your gracious comment. Glad I could help. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Thanks. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Janine...just trying to give a new business owner a hand up...we all need help. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Colleen...thanks for dropping by...Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Thanks for going the conversation...Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
I wouldn't say to use three different voices...but you will have to tailor your messaging...Twitter followers will want the straight story in 140 characters...With LinkedIn you need to be more formal. Drop me a line at john@johnleavy.co. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Hope mine helps Kat... Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Thanks to you Steve. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Thanks for joining the conversation. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Glad you're joining the overwhelmed...Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
I don't mean to disagree...but I am reaching almost 300 million people each month. I hope I'm helping many of them.
No one like to follow a narcissus. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Mattewhell...your comment is pretty sales...
Yura...just remember...you're in charge not he schedule. If you post fr a few days...no worries...just start back up again. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Elizabeth your comments are well taken. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Amen to that Channel Marketing. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Lisa...I can't disagree...but with hundreds of people comments on the 10 blogs I write for...it's pretty hard to give everyone an immediate response. I try like heck. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Blake...your points are well taken...everyone needs some kind of schedule...if they want their followers to keep following.Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Good luck on your Facebook venture...Let me know how I can help. Check out my blog at http://www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
We're all busy these days..Just trying to help where I can. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Thanks Henry. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Jennifer...there's nothing wrong with simple...I agree...Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Really practical info and scheduling always makes sense. Thanks
Tanvon...let me know how your new schedule works out. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Thanks for the gracious comment. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Thanks for stopping by. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Krete1024...Thanks for joining the conversation. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.
Josh...I just started a Facebook Fan page associated with my Radio Show so I only have a small number of followers. On Twitter I have around 4500+. I run InPlainSite Marketing a Web Marketing Agency. Check out my blog at www.johnleavy.com or follow me on Twitter at @JohnLeavy.