4 Easy steps to create a social media strategy

Posting to your social media requires a social media strategy just like your other marketing efforts. What are your goals for your social media presence?  Who is your audience? Once you figure out your purpose you need to figure out your content and make sure it is on brand. How often will you post? Which social media platforms will you use?

“20% of large business are more active on social media then small businesses and solopreneurs”.

To stay relevant online you need a plan, a strategy, and someone to apply it.

Figure out your social media goals

The more clear and specific you are about your social media goals, the easier and faster it will be. Do you want to brand, keep in touch with clients, or increase sales? Figure out your goals in order to know what type of content you need to create for your social media strategy. This will also allow you to understand how often you should post.

Who is your audience?

Your audience you should be same as you standard marketing ideal client profile. Based on that profile figure out which social media platform they are on the most ad focus on that. Depending on how much help you have try to stay active on at least 1-2 social media platform. You should have complete accounts on all social media platforms but be really active on the most important one.

What type of content will you share?

Here are some ideas of content to share on your social media platforms. Some content performs better depending on the platform:

• Images
• Videos
• Blog Posts
• Company News
• Infographics
• eBooks
• Interviews

Videos are great for Facebook and infographics on Pinterest. When you know the platform you can better increase your changes of conversion for your desired goals. Which ever type of content you share make sure it’s on brand and looks professional.

How often will you post and to which platform?

Based on your audience you should have picked your platforms already. Here are some recommended amount of times to post on each platforms (according to Buffer):

• Facebook – Once or twice per day
• Instagram – Once or twice per day
• Instagram Stories – Eight to 16 Stories, twice per week
• Twitter – Three to ten times per day
• LinkedIn – Once or twice per day
• Pinterest – Five to ten times per day
• Snapchat – Five to 20 times per week

I recommend posting based on how often you or your business can manage to do so. The main idea is to do so on a consistent basis.

Recommended times form Buffer:

• Twitter – 1-3pm weekdays
• Facebook – 1-4pm weekdays
• LinkedIn – 7-8:30am and 5-6pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Tumblr – 7-10pm weekdays and 4pm on Fridays
• Instagram – 5-6pm weekdays and 8pm on Mondays with a sweet spot at 6pm
• Pinterest – 2-4pm and 8-11pm weekdays with weekends being the best
• Google+ – 9-11am weekdays

I suggest to post contently at various times and days for at least a month and track your activity. Use these results to figure out which days, times,  and how often you should post. Every brand and business are different and you should operate based on what’s best for you.

You understand the importance of a social media strategy and now you have created one. The problems is that you are a small business or a solopreneur and you want to stay active but you don’t have a dedicated person nor department for that. Even worst you don’t have the know how nor time to create great images for your content. Don’t worry we got you covered, go ahead and download our 5 free high resolution images. You can use them for your social media strategy as well as your website.

Don’t forget to tag me so I can see how you are using them for your brand and business.