I encourage our VIP List members to send their questions over to me and let me know what their challenges are. This issue addresses one of those member submitted challenges and it has to do with consolidating social media posts. Where should our priorities be and how on Earth do we keep up without burning out? Is social media really that important and which networks should we be spending our time?
Audiocast (Audio Version)
I’d love to read this post to you. Simply press play and sit back for 2 minutes and 40 seconds. 🙂
The Social Media Challenge
Mary Birdsong said,
My biggest challenge right now is consolidating all my social media posts. ~ Mary Birdsong
Well, thank you Mary and I have to say, I know the feeling. It’s tough to keep up with all of the social media networks; staying engaged and getting our message out consistently. Here’s my advice…
The “Be Everywhere” Trend
First, let’s tackle the idea that we need to stay active on every social network. Even Pat Flynn, who started the “Be Everywhere” trend, says focus on just a couple of networks where your target audience is.
I’ve always said that it’s important to setup our brand on every major social media network, if only to secure our brand’s presence there. That doesn’t mean, however, that we need to spend a ton of time on all of those sites. Essentially, this can help preserve the URL that best fits our brand and ensure that it’s there when we’re ready for it.
In the mean time, research where your audience is the most and understand what’s working the best for you. For example, I’ve put everything on the back burner while I work Twitter, YouTube and Google Plus. I removed LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and every other social app from my phone. I’ll eventually bring those social sites back into our strategy but, for right now, those three networks are the best fit for our primary focus.
Consolidating Social Media Posts
Now, the consolidating part… I wish I could help simplify things but I’m afraid I’m going to actually make it tougher to keep up. I love automation and online tools a lot and have used both over the years but we’re seeing better results after reading Gary Vaynerchuk’s Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook$. It’s an amazing book and it really opened my eyes for improving results by treating each social share as an independent message, with their own image.
In other words, the same image and message aren’t duplicated across the various networks, we try to spend a little more time and customize each for its audience. I haven’t mastered the technique yet, but we’re getting there. It takes a little testing and lot of patience.
My “Must Read” Recommendation
If you’d like to check out Gary V’s book, I’d be honored if you’d use our Amazon affiliate link at HotBlogTips.com/jab.
Over To You, Hot Bloggers
So, what do you say Hot Bloggers, any advice for Mary? How do you handle your social media load? How important is social media and which networks do you focus on?
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- Social Networking Is Like Politics
About Brian D. Hawkins
How can one be all the place and you solved the problem without breaking a sweat ,thanks a lot.
Exactly James, thanks 🙂
Hi Brian,
Thanks for reading the post to me. Listening instead of reading was such a treat. You do a fantastic job of bringing the post to life with your audio.
I agree with your advice for Mary. Right now I’m focusing on mastering Pinterest but that’s only because I already have a handle on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
Take it slow and don’t get overwhelmed.
Thanks Brian!
Thank you Ileane, I want to get my podcast going soon and this gives me a little practice. I love Pinterest and I’m debating if that will come next rather than Facebook. Pinterest is certainly easier if you don’t already have an engaged following.
Nice and very informative post
This it the first time i am visiting your website and I am glad I did.
You post has very important points which are very important for all the website owners and bloggers. I usually use google + , facebook, twitter, but have never tried other social media sites. Lately I started using tumblr and I found it great. Now after reading this post I think i should start using pinterest too .
Thank you for sharing
I think that’s a great approach Sagar, and as you gain a solid footing in those primary social networks (and it sounds like you have), you bring in others that make the most sense for your niche, audience, and message, just as you’re doing. 🙂
I am having a terrible time with my social media. I am able to work Twitter a little and I know how to post to Facebook. I need to get active and really good at using Google Plus. I don’t mind if I just get by on Facebook and Twitter but I would like to be good at Google +.
I use the SNAP plugin so much of my posts being sent to these sites is automated.
I love automation Marknoo but, honestly, it’s a terrible way to build up a social following. It’s great for scheduling content when you’re not available but automated tweets,posts and shares isn’t social and social is what is expected from us on the networks. It takes more work but the connections will be real, rather than useless numbers that mean nothing short of an ego boost.
I found that Google+ is the most responsive and effective platform for submitting posts, if you use the Communities feature by putting the article in the appropriate category. And found Facebook (over 4,000 friends) and Twitter (1,245 followers) just about worthless, as is LinkedIn.