What are your first thoughts when it comes to social media? Maybe you’ve got mixed feelings one way or another about it?
On one hand, you can use it for meaningful connection to your ideal clients, and you’re able to spread your mission much faster (and easier) than in the past. But on the other hand…
It can be addictive. It can sway mindsets. And with ever changing algorithms, it can feel like something you’ll never be able to get the hang of.
If you resonate with any of the above, you’re not alone. Here’s your hot take on how to navigate social media without feeling consumed by its gravitational pull (I know you know what I mean).
The benefits of social media
Before we can get into how to maintain your energy while using social media for your business, let me remind you of its power.
According to Neal Schaffer, brand discovery from online sources comes through social media 52% of the time. Talk about reach! And get this… the ability to reach brands on social media makes 21% of consumers more likely to purchase their products and services.
There has never been a better time to be on social media because as of 2020 there has been a 13% increase in social media users for a total of 4.2 billion users according to Data Reportal – that’s more than half the world’s population!
Your brand and business’s ability to have access to that many people with the click of the button is outstanding and increasing by the day.
But how are you supposed to know which platforms are best for your business?
Social Media platforms
Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. TikTok, LinkedIn, Youtube… oh my.
The social media platform you use depends on a few factors.
- Your overall business goals
- Your ideal clients
- Your ability to keep up with changes
When you decide to jump into social media, it’s best to choose a platform that you can manage and where your ideal client loves to hang around. If your ideal client isn’t on it… scrap it.
A few tips/suggestions for deciding on your preferred social media platform.
- If your content consists of quick videos and actionable tips your ideal client can use, then TikTok or Instagram are a great choice.
- If you create long-form content such as blogs, then LinkedIn may be a better place for you.
- Quick wins and fast action CTAs (call-to-action) are Twitter’s best friend.
- If you have a community or want to host long-form video content, Facebook will be your best friend.
Youtube is another platform and great tool to use for long-form video content. And fun fact: It’s the second most used search engine following Google according to Titan Growth. Youtube is the SEO (search engine optimization) + connection of social media platforms.
Now, I know what you might be thinking… What about Pinterest? Pinterest serves as a SEO based platform.
Pinterest is a great tool to host blog content or a way to link to your social media platforms, but it’s not necessarily a place where you can connect and interact with your ideal clients. It’s a way for them to find where they CAN interact with you.
Pro-tip: It’s better to be proficient and use one social media platform right than to be on every single one and not use it to its full potential.
Social media is what you make it, but it’s not without its disadvantages.
There are risks of criticisms on social media and the never ending cycle of feeling like you need to be creating something new and fresh (*more on this later).
How to maintain your energy while using social media
Social media and business are great partners, but if you’re not careful you can easily exhaust yourself.
Try implementing one or more of these tips as you navigate through the world of social platforms.
1. Reuse, reduce, and recycle
*You don’t need to constantly create something fresh and new. There is beauty in repurposing content. Have you heard of the rule of seven?
You’re doing your brand and clients a favor by being a bit repetitive. Your ideal consumers do have lives outside of social media, so there’s a high chance that they don’t see every single thing you post. By repurposing your content, you increase your chance of not only capturing the attention of people who missed a piece of content, but also the people who need that 2nd, 3rd, or even 7th reminder of your offer.
And in turn, this benefits your energy by not having to come up with new content every single day.
2. Use a scheduling platform
There are a ton of scheduling platforms for social media. They can be a great way to plan out content without the risk of getting sucked in every time you create a post.
3. Set interacting hours
Connecting and interacting with your followers is a big part of building that rapport with your customers, but it can be easy to stay glued.
By setting it up like a meeting, you minimize your chances of distracting and overwhelming yourself with being on your preferred platforms.
Pro-tip: For many platforms, the algorithm likes when you interact shortly after you post a piece of content. If you decide to implement “interacting hours,” it might be a good idea for it to be around the time you post content.
4. Set up restrictions on your phone
If you’re one to get lost in the scroll, it can be helpful to set up time limits on your phone for those platforms. Even if you ignore the notification, it can help bring awareness to how long you’re in the apps.
5. Turn off notifications when the workday is over
This may be the most difficult (but most important) thing to do. When you’re done with your work day, turn off your social media notifications. You still have a life outside of your business, and it’s important to be present in it.
Social media is powerful when used correctly, but tread lightly because it’s not going to be beneficial if you’re over-exerting yourself by trying to do it all.
Need some guidance on how to grow your brand in 2022 before you take social media by storm? Check out our blog, Top Secrets to Grow Your Personal Brand in 2022.
