Chances are you have integrated social media into your marketing strategy. Social media has become so important to businesses that many have created a social media strategy alongside their marketing strategy, but the question remains; is it effective?
This blog will show you how to implement your social media strategy effectively in only three steps. This week’s part two will tell you all about the second step in creating your own social media strategy. The second step you are going to take is Implementation.
Implementation: Creating a Content Calendar
As we said in our previous blog, consistency and simplicity are very important when it comes to your social media strategy. In this phase, we are focusing in on your day to day tasks. Your team needs to know what they are responsible for, which is why it’s important that you create a content calendar. The calendar should show:
- the essence of your content
- who will create the content
- when the content will be shared and where it will be shared
- how much of it will be your own content and how much of it will be shared content of third-parties
- in what form the content should appear
Implementation: Making a Plan
The next thing to do is to create a plan for promotion and growth. For example:
- You can integrate your social feeds on your official website.
- You can run competitions.
- You can organize webinars.
- You can interview experts from the industry.
- You can promote your social feeds on your business cards, through your email signature and your business’ letterhead.
Once you have gained followers, you can influence them to grow your business. Yes, it is all about relationships and we don’t mean to shove it down their throats, but create an action plan for your core campaigns. You team needs to know what is acceptable and what is not allowed, so outline a promotional policy. In addition, you need to identify and implement opt-in opportunities (welcome tab on your Facebook page) as well as to determine where to direct leads. This means, are you selling only through your official website or as well as through an e-commerce platform?
Read our blog next week to find out the third and last step on how to implement your social media strategy effectively!