That is a great question.
You hear from industry experts that it isn't a good idea to jump in without one and yet you hear other tales of wild success from folks who didn't have one.
A strategy can be a detailed work plan and publishing schedule with tools to measure every single aspect of your online activity and overall sentiment.
A strategy can and should have clear goals, but what a strategy shouldn't have is a dictum as to how to achieve those goals.
The Internet and social media are fluid and ever changing landscapes.
Things move faster, switch quicker, are born and killed at record speed and today will be nothing like yesterday and seers have some idea about tomorrow but can't be sure.
A strategy is in fact critical for your business either to protect the company out in the digital badlands and to promote your brand in a meaningful way.
Allow me to offer some suggestions of what a social media strategy might mean for your business.
1.
Policy setting.
If you are going to have employees you should consider a social media strategy.
Even if these employees are not participating in the company social media, chances are they have their own and being clear what can and cannot be shared on their personal sites regarding your business and your clients is crucial.
Should you have employees participating then I strongly recommend having guidelines.
To view some policies that will help guide you just search in the Google search bar 'social media policy' and you will discover tons of resources and examples.
2.
Where.
Deciding what social media to partake in is also a good start.
Seems like a no-brainer to start with the three biggies in the universe such as Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter.
There might be other sites that are more heavily trafficked by your intended audience but at least give these three some loving attention.
3.
Brand consistently.
Keep true to your company brand and mission both with your design visuals and content.
Be who you say you are.
4.
Pay attention.
There are metrics that will give you clear indications of how you are doing and comments, responses and replies will TELL you how you are doing.
If you can't watch yourself then make sure that someone on your team is paying attention - or engage a company to do this for you.
5.
What.
This is where the battle is often won or lost.
What you do once you are there will determine your success.
Some things to consider are:
You hear from industry experts that it isn't a good idea to jump in without one and yet you hear other tales of wild success from folks who didn't have one.
A strategy can be a detailed work plan and publishing schedule with tools to measure every single aspect of your online activity and overall sentiment.
A strategy can and should have clear goals, but what a strategy shouldn't have is a dictum as to how to achieve those goals.
The Internet and social media are fluid and ever changing landscapes.
Things move faster, switch quicker, are born and killed at record speed and today will be nothing like yesterday and seers have some idea about tomorrow but can't be sure.
A strategy is in fact critical for your business either to protect the company out in the digital badlands and to promote your brand in a meaningful way.
Allow me to offer some suggestions of what a social media strategy might mean for your business.
1.
Policy setting.
If you are going to have employees you should consider a social media strategy.
Even if these employees are not participating in the company social media, chances are they have their own and being clear what can and cannot be shared on their personal sites regarding your business and your clients is crucial.
Should you have employees participating then I strongly recommend having guidelines.
To view some policies that will help guide you just search in the Google search bar 'social media policy' and you will discover tons of resources and examples.
2.
Where.
Deciding what social media to partake in is also a good start.
Seems like a no-brainer to start with the three biggies in the universe such as Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter.
There might be other sites that are more heavily trafficked by your intended audience but at least give these three some loving attention.
3.
Brand consistently.
Keep true to your company brand and mission both with your design visuals and content.
Be who you say you are.
4.
Pay attention.
There are metrics that will give you clear indications of how you are doing and comments, responses and replies will TELL you how you are doing.
If you can't watch yourself then make sure that someone on your team is paying attention - or engage a company to do this for you.
5.
What.
This is where the battle is often won or lost.
What you do once you are there will determine your success.
Some things to consider are:
- Keywords - keep a high percentage of the posts inclusive of the keywords relevant to your business.
- Resources - share things that are not of your own doing that are interesting and relevant.
Develop a resource list of blogs, news feeds and other sources to be a constant source for new content. - Follow to be found.
- The fastest way to get found is to find them.
Follow, friend, like and comment on others' work and they will notice you and respond in kind - usually. - Respond - this is 'social' so answer questions that are asked, respond to comments that are made, offer assistance or a resource where you can be helpful.
Indicate that you are actually listening and not just blasting. - Go with the flow.
- Things change day-to-day, topics trend up and down and so stay current with the topics and remain flexible. - Drop the Ego.
- This isn't about you and it isn't about your company.
It is supposed to be about THEM, and then figure out how you can fit in and be relevant.
A good conversationalist responds appropriately, they don't railroad the conversation.
Social media works the same way.