Friends, do you find yourself struggling with social media? If you’re feeling like it’s hard to keep up with, and get lost on what, when and where to post, I have some tips for you!
Is Social Media THAT Important?
It can be argued that a social media presence doesn’t matter. But think about it. Where else are you going to be seen online? How will you get more traffic to your website? Will you be able to build a solid and consistent brand without it?
The answer to those questions, is likely NO. That’s why I recommend being present on at least one or two of the main social platforms when you’re trying to build your brand, or increase your visibility, and especially when you have a book (or two) to market!
I like to put it like this: If someone were to Google your name, what would they find? You definitely want to be found online—and if you want to be found, you have to be searchable.
TIP 1: It’s good to plan ahead and have a social media presence BEFORE your book comes out, or before you launch your business or start offering your skills and services.
Do You Have to Be on EVERY Platform?
The short answer is NO. You don’t have to be on every platform to get the visibility you want. BUT! You should definitely be on one or two. Here’s the thing: you’ll want to do some research first so you can make the most impact with the platforms you do use. This means putting in a bit of work to find out which platforms serve you best.
If you’re more of a storyteller, maybe Twitter is right for you. If you’re a visual person, focus on Instagram. There’s a whole world of social media platforms out there, but choosing at least one of the big ones, like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram is probably a smart move.
I also highly recommend you create branded accounts for this purpose, not your personal accounts—that can get messy and dilute your brand.
TIP 2: Do your research to find out where your target audience is most active, and which platform you’re most comfortable with before choosing which social sites you’ll focus your energy on.
How Can I Stay Active and Maintain Engagement on Social Media?
To maintain engagement and increase your following on social media, you have to be active there. This doesn’t necessarily mean posting all day long, or scrolling through Instagram all day. But there is a bare minimum.
You should also follow your influencers and engage with those that follow and engage with you. You can learn more details on that HERE.
Use Available Tools
There are so many handy tools to make staying active and consistent on social media so much easier.
Scheduling software like Buffer help you save time and keep you organized by allowing you to schedule posts in advance. So you can set it and forget it!
Sites like Canva make creating graphics a breeze, even for the artistically challenged. And now, you can even link your Buffer account to Canva and schedule directly from one place!
My team and I use both of these tools and highly recommend them. So do the social media experts I work with through my company, Monkey C Media. LINK
TIP 3: Check in at least once a day on your social media accounts. Spend 15-20 minutes engaging, following new accounts, and replying to comments. You may find that you actually like it!
Have You Tried New Platforms?
Though I do recommend having a presence on at least one of the main social media platforms, it doesn’t necessarily need to be the one you put all of your energy into. There may be other platforms out there that fit you really well, and that you just enjoy being active on. But you won’t know unless you check them out!
On TikTok, there’s a whole community of BookTockers. Sites like Goodreads are a magnet for book lovers and author fans. LinkedIn is great for professionals. Pinterest is even more of a social media platform these days. And it’s a great way to highlight your aesthetic! And platforms like Substack and Paperli allow you to curate or create newsletters and gain subscribers.
The point is, if you just can’t stand the way Facebook operates, or Twitter seems kind of overwhelming to you, there are other places you can establish your presence. After all, you don’t want it to be too much of a chore if you want to make social media engagement part of your routine.
TIP 4: Spend some time lurking on platforms you’re not familiar with, keep your eye out for new platforms (they come along more often than you’d think) and be willing to give them a try!
Help is Available if You Need it!
Keeping up with social media and using it to build your brand can seem daunting, but with these tips, I hope social feels more manageable. But if you still can’t manage to keep up or aren’t getting the results you hoped for, help is available! And don’t feel defeated if you’re not a social media guru on day one. That’s why social media managers and strategists exist, and why I’m often recommending them to my clients when they need social media help.
TIP 5: If you still feel like you could use some social media help, reach out and see what assistance is available.
What is your favorite social media platform and why? Let me know in the comments!
Follow me on Twitter @jeniffergrace and Instagram @jeniffergrace.
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