I don’t know about you, but checklists help keep me on point. And, often when I find things aren’t jiving well or aligning with a goal. I strip things back. I go back to these social media basics because it’s in the basics and in the foundation where success is born.
Whether your goal is brand awareness, customer care, social selling or anything else, you will find these seven components SUPER powerful.
7 Social Media Basics You Don’t Want to Overlook
Quickly, just before diving in, I can’t stress this enough — complete a customer avatar. I wish I were taught about the importance of a customer avatar before anything else. Then, when you know who you are speaking to, you can direct your content there, which will almost always convert the way you’d like it to.
Why? Because your audience is feeling like you’re speaking directly to them.
Let’s go.
Choose your Channel(s)
I suggest always starting with the channels you’re most familiar with or comfortable with. Facebook is always a great starting ground for those just getting started. From there, figure out if being on other platforms will benefit your business. (this is why your customer avatar is super important)
Why hang out on Twitter or Instagram if your ideal customers aren’t there?
Where do you feel your customers spend the most time?
Display a Completed Profile
I cannot tell you how typical an incomplete profile is. Please, ensure that the sections available to be filled out — are. Remember, there are more watchers on your profile than you might realize, and they are forever checking you out.
Take the time to fill out each section for your profile(s). Do your best to avoid leaving empty areas. Use your profile to showcase a bit of your personality, your values and things that are important to you.
Think about it like this: often, people will check you out on social media long before they reach out to you, giving them something worthwhile to check out.
Follow Others in your Space
Following others shows that you’re an active participant in social media versus a profile just blasting its content. Whether competitors, fellow industry leaders or prospects, make a point to follow new profiles to see how others operate on social media.
Most networks offer up some follower suggestions to get you started — do that. And if you find, after a while, they’re not your ideal ‘follow,’ then unfollow. This is a great habit to get into as it keeps your timeline with fresh faces.
Create a Content Strategy
Now that your profiles are set up, you must decide what you will post consistently. Developing a content strategy might seem like a lot of work, but it all boils down to your goals.
- Looking to educate your audience? Publish content, news and opinions relevant to your niche.
- Are you focused on customer care? Tips, shout-outs and overdelivering in the value departments are always good. (I have some great blogs on this topic you may want to check out!)
Create a Content Calendar
As mentioned above in the social media basics, planning your content is one thing you don’t want to overlook.
To save time, knowing what you’re going to post and when you’re going to post is a great idea. This also keeps you from posting the same pieces of content again and again.
If you are already working from a content calendar, do you prefer weekly, monthly or even yearly ones? And, if you require ideas here, you will want to check out my Content Calendar HERE!
Engagement is Key
Don’t forget: social media isn’t all about you.
Getting noticed on social media means being an active participant. Interacting with your audience allows you to show off your personality and introduce your brand to new followers.
Make a point to interact with at least a few new and existing daily profiles. Focusing on relationships and engagement via social only takes a few seconds and can score you major brownie points.
Promote your Social Media Platforms
Let’s say you have all of your social profiles locked and loaded.
Great! Now, how do you expect people to find you?
Don’t make the mistake of confining your social presence solely to social media. Some other places where you can share your profiles include:
- Your email newsletter, footers and signatures
- Your site headers and footers
- Cross-promotion between social sites (think: promoting your YouTube channel on Facebook)
Overall, stripping things back on social media is always a good idea. However, it’s often in these small steps where significant wins are found.
What is one of your most common go-to’s regarding the basics?
