#SocialMediaManagement – What is the 80/20 Rule When Posting to Social Media?

There’s a common axiom in business called the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule. The Pareto principle was coined after 19th century research showed that 80% of Italy’s land belonged to just 20% of the population. This 80/20 concept caught on in business management courses, and today we see it modeled for varied phenomena such as 80% of sales are often gained through 20% of a customer base.

In the realm of social media, the rule means that 80% of your content should be non-promotional and 20% sales-oriented.

The thought that you don’t do much selling on social media might strike you as a bit odd. But when you think about your own experience, it may help make the logic more clear: when you visit a company page and see only posts asking you to buy something, will you keep coming back?

The answer, most likely, is no. People do not like being barraged by “the hard sell,” which often makes a page look spammy.

The real benefit of social media is in creating and strengthening relationships.

Of course, you want to generate leads through your social media, but your real objective should be to create an environment that keeps people connected to you and your brand. People want to interact with others with whom they have something in common.

One key goal is to establish your voice. Precisely what that voice is will depend on you, your business, and your objectives; if you have an established brand, then you will have a good idea of what that voice is.

Tips for Creating Non-Promotional Content

  • Get to know your audience. Remember, your goal is to engage your followers so talk to them, ask them questions, really get to the heart of what makes them tick. Show them your personality and let them show you theirs.
  • Help them out. One great way to connect with your audience is by helping them solve a problem. A good “how-to,” some clever hacks, and advice can all make life easier for the people who visit your social media pages.
  • Offer inspiration. Inspiration doesn’t just mean throwing out mushy quotes – though that can be effective! Inspiration can mean helping your audience use your products in new and surprising ways.
  • Let your audience get to know you. Telling stories about you, your team, and your company can all connect you to your audience. Take people behind the scenes or share a typical day.
  • Be part of the local community. You’re not just part of the internet community. You’re part of the real world, too. Participate in local events and share these activities with your audience.

While you’re following the 80/20 rule, remember to keep your content consistent, engaging, and fresh. To get a jumpstart, consult with the experts at The Social Media Advisor. They can help you understand what you’re doing right and how you can improve. The social media support programs they offer can be the perfect way to get in the habit of focusing on your non-promotional content.

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Hollie Clere of The Social Media Advisor is a “#BeAwesome” Developer, Social Media, Brand Builder, Content Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and the tools to manage them.

Click here for Social Media Training, Speaking and Strategy Consultations.

#SocialMediaSupport – What to Look for in a Social Media Manager

It’s never easy to find just the right hire. When it comes to finding the perfect person to take on the role of social media manager, the challenge is even harder. You know there are certain areas of expertise that are must-haves, like knowledge of social media platforms, an understanding of SEO, and specific creative talents like content development, but there are other critical factors that aren’t so easy to quantify.

Understanding Where Social Media Fits 

A top-notch social media manager has an innate ability to understand not just where social media fits in your marketing strategy, but where it fits in the world of the internet. Your social media plays a critical role in a variety of areas from customer service to SEO. That means that your manager must be able to make it work with all the other moving parts that make your overall strategy successful.

Strategic Planning

A top-notch social media manager must have the ability to understand your company’s Big Picture. The content that you post must work with all areas of your marketing plan. Understanding how each platform contributes will help you create and implement a plan that bolsters every area of your operation.

A Customer-First Mindset 

If you’re using social media, then you know how important it’s become for customer service. In this regard, however, social media carries an element of risk. How you treat your customers will be on display for the world to see. Your social media manager must know not just what to say to customers but how to handle problems. For example, it must be clear what issues can be handled in the public square versus what should be taken offline.

Social Advertising Understanding and Expertise 

While it’s lovely to think that you can get the most from social media by doing all the free stuff, it’s no longer realistic. Regardless of what platforms you focus on you’ll need to do some paid advertising. Each platform has its unique requirements so look for someone who knows how this all works and how it fits with the rest of your social media strategy.

Writing Skills

While it may seem to be a no-brainer that your social media manager needs high-level writing skills, it’s worth repeating. It’s not enough to be able to craft a grammatically correct sentence; the writing toolbox needs to be well rounded and include copywriting and storytelling skills.

It may feel like finding the right social media manager is an impossible task given the expertise required. Fortunately, you can take a short cut on the process by taking advantage of the services available through The Social Media Advisor. The team’s social media build/revamp packages are particularly useful if you need a professional social media manager.

Be sure to Follow us and Let’s Engage!

Hollie Clere of The Social Media Advisor is a “#BeAwesome” Developer, Social Media, Brand Builder, Content Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and the tools to manage them.

Click here for Social Media Training, Speaking and Strategy Consultations.

#GrowYourBusiness – How to Build Your Business Using Social Media

As a business owner, you know how important it is to take advantage of all the tools available to you. These days, one of the most important of these tools is social media. It’s likely that you already have pages on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and perhaps Instagram and Pinterest.

But are you actually using social media to build your business? If not, now is the perfect time to fine-tune your strategy to make the most of these critical marketing assets.

Here are five key ways you can use social media to help you build and strengthen your business:

  • Strengthen relationships: As social media has evolved engagement has become the mantra for success. When you engage with your audience, you build and strengthen your relationships. Strong relationships can do a lot for you both personally and professionally.
  • Generate Leads: Of course, you want to get sales or else you wouldn’t be in business. Social media can help you get more visibility, reach a broader audience, and yes, make sales.
  • Strengthen Your Brand: You work hard to build your brand. Why not protect and strengthen it. When used to its full potential, social media can help you strengthen your brand and, in turn, make inroads in the marketplace.
  • Drive Traffic to your Site: If you are like most small businesses today, your website is your lifeblood. While social media is great for increasing your visibility, it’s also the perfect way to get your audience to click through to your website.
  • Establish your Authority: There are many reasons that you want to be perceived as an authority in your industry. Aside from getting customers to turn to you when they need your product or services, Google places a premium on authority when it comes to search rankings.

The decision to use social media to help you build your business is an easy one. But committing to it consistently and effectively is another story. Unless you’re a social media pro, you may need some help. That’s where the Social Media Advisor’s Social Power Program comes in.

The Social Power Program is the perfect way to up your game no matter what your level of social media expertise. As a bonus, as part of your Discovery Sessions, you’ll get a FREE social media analysis. Your analysis is the perfect way to get on the right track to using social media as a key tool for building your business.

Be sure to Follow us and Let’s Engage!

Hollie Clere of The Social Media Advisor is a “#BeAwesome” Developer, Social Media, Brand Builder, Content Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and the tools to manage them.

Click here for Social Media Training, Speaking and Strategy Consultations.

#LearnSocialMedia – Common Social Media Marketing Frustrations

Managing social media can be fun! You get to use your creative and analytical skills; you can make new friends, and get the adrenalin rush that comes with seeing your content get views. That’s the good side. The downside is that in order to use social media successfully, you may have to overcome a variety of frustrations.

Luckily, there are things you can to do to ease the hard parts.

It’s Harder than it Looks

The key to getting engagement is consistently creating compelling content. There are hundreds of resources available for how to do that and software to make your videos and graphics are easy to come by. So it should be easy, right? Well, coming up with content is harder than it looks. You need to set goals, know how you will measure success, and the content needs to be “good.”

Prioritizing can be Tough

There is always something to do, and social media is no different. It can be difficult to determine what should be handled and when. When you try to balance that with your other priorities it can be tricky. The best strategy is to make a plan and stick to it. Also, a solid social media analysis done regularly can be eye-opening and help with prioritization.

It Always Takes Longer Than You Think

If you have ever created a video, then you know that it’s never as quick as you think it will be. Writing quality content can also be more time consuming than you anticipate. Keep in mind that you will get back what you invest. Budget your time generously and press on.

It’s Hard to Keep Up

Like everything in the tech world, social media is a moving target. Facebook, for example, is always looking for new ways to present its newsfeed, requirements for advertisers change, and platforms fall out of favor. Getting expert help can make it easier to keep up with the changing landscape.

Every Platform is Different 

Each social media platform has its own intricacies. What works on Twitter may not be effective on Instagram and vice versa. Your content needs to be tailored to the platform you are using.

If all of the above sounds discouraging it doesn’t have to be. There are tools available that can help you navigate the frustrating world of social media management. One of the best is the Social Power Program. This online training system can help you fine-tune your existing strategy or create a brand new one. It can help you master what makes each social media platform unique and get the most from whichever ones you decide are best for your business.

The Social Power Program can help you learn how to create great content, prioritize your goals, and get the most from the resources you have. Whether you need training for yourself or for your team, it’s one tool you can’t live without.

Be sure to Follow us and Let’s Engage!

Hollie Clere of The Social Media Advisor is a “#BeAwesome” Developer, Social Media, Brand Builder, Content Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and the tools to manage them.

Click here for Social Media Training, Speaking and Strategy Consultations.

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