How to Plan Social Media Updates

In my last post, I discussed how to plan your blog editorial calendar for the year. Now that you have your blog calendar nailed down, let's examine how to set up your social media updates. I know what you're thinking, "I don't have time to post my updates." Oh yes, you do! With these easy steps below, you don't have any excuses NOT to schedule your posts for the week (or even month, for that matter!)

Before you dive into setting up your updates, keep the following tips in mind for your accounts:

• If you create a custom background in Twitter or Facebook, make sure it looks professional and include  your picture and/or your company brand.
• Even master social media plans and goals can be changed. Evaluate your goals and objectives on a weekly basis. Has anything changed with your company? Do your social media accounts and/or profiles need to be updated as a result of these changes?
• Is your messaging consistent? What could you do better to improve your social media message? Use social media measurement tools to help you research and evaluate if your social media message is working for, not against, you. Here are some helpful apps/widgets.
• Are you tweeting or posting enough? Too little? Too much? Are you receiving positive feedback/comments as a result of your tweets/updates?
• Make sure you create (or update) your LinkedIn profile and include your photo. There are certain marketing strategies when it comes to LinkedIn. Check out Victoria Ipri's LinkedIn for the Clueless - she takes you step-by-step through LinkedIn and teaches you how to build dynamic, optimized profiles. 

How to plan your social media posts:

1. Use a similar calendar like I suggested in how to plan your blog editorial calendar. Include an additional spreadsheet page and name it: "Social Media Updates."

2. Follow the same steps as I outlined in my previous post. Make sure that your content is consistent and pay attention to your company's "milestone" events throughout the year. Highlight key messaging, events, timely industry news, etc. 

3. Automate your social media so you don't have to do all the work. Implement social media automation & project management tools such as HootSuite, TweetDeck or Postling. Check out this comprehensive list of social automation software. 

4. It is important to post/schedule social media updates on a daily basis (for Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook).  You can automate posts (make sure to include links to stories, websites, etc.) but make sure you don't turn into a "robotic" social media user. Don't just post and never respond to other users' posts. It's important to comment on a regular basis. Be interactive but don't be annoying either. Don't go off on too many random tangents - stay focused with your messages and don't tweet about your kids or dog 24,7 either. 

5. There are different opinions on the best times to post updates. Suggested high-traffic times are: 10 am to 12 pm and retweets between 4pm - 5 pm. These time frames are highly subjective, and may not work for every social media user. It really depends on your traffic and social media measurement. Maybe 8am to 10 am are better times for your target audience. That's why it's important to measure your social media and figure out what time frames are working or not working.

6. Pay attention to the latest news and trends throughout the day. Don't forget to retweet other newsworthy and timely posts, especially when it comes to global news. Remember that social media touches the world so think beyond just your town/city, state and country. 

7. Don't blast updates every two minutes. Spread out your posts every few hours and don't be preachy or annoying with your updates either. It's easy to waste your day on Facebook so remember to spread out your social media usage throughout the day.

8. If you are busy, schedule your social media management into your calendar and do it on a daily basis. Even if you only have ten minutes to spend on your social media each day, stick to that schedule and be consistent. Schedule that time in your calendar and set up alarms/reminders so you don't forget to work on your social media.

9. Don't reinvent the social media wheel. Sync your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts together. I will discuss further tips and tricks in my next blog installment - how to sync your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. It doesn't make sense to update each individual account - it's all about automation! 

10. This is my personal pet peeve. Remember your manners! Use Netiquette at all times with social media - if you don't want your mother or boss to read it, then don't post it! The point behind social networking is to lend a hand and to share your expertise in a helpful, supportive way. It's perfectly acceptable to express your opinion in group discussions, but remember to be tactful and respect other people's opinions, cultures and backgrounds. Social media is all about real, authentic connection so don't come across as fake or egotistical. You'll easily lose friends and followers that way! 

Since time is a huge factor when it comes to staying on top of social media, don't miss out on my next post, How to Automate Your Social Media Accounts in 5 Easy Steps

 

 

How to Plan Your Blog Editorial Calendar

Before you sit down to actually plan your blog editorial calendar, make sure you read the steps I outlined in my previous post about How to Create Your 2011 Social Media Calendar. 
Before you start planning, consider the following questions.
 What is the editiorial purpose behind your blog? 

• What are you trying to achieve with your blog?
• Is it entertaining, serious, educational, etc.?
• Before you pick topics for your posts, figure out the purpose behind your blog. Don't write a blog just for the heck of it - think niche and be specific. Don't be 'general' with your blog's purpose and focus. 
• For example, don't write a blog about general "green-friendly" topics. Hone into a targeted topic - green-friendly fashion or even more specific: green-friendly clothing for babies and toddlers. 

Who are your targeted readers? 

• Do you have sub-markets you want to reach besides your main audience? For example, your blog appeals to real estate professionals but mortgage lenders, home appraisers and title companies would also highly benefit from your information. 
• What are your readers' likes, dislikes, wants, needs, demographics, etc.?

What topics and trends interest your readers?

• What's the latest hot industry news? 
• What problems can you solve for readers in your blog?

Have you researched your competitors' blogs? 

• Get a pulse for what's going on in your industry.
• Dig into competitors' posts and find out what's hot and not - read their comments.
• Are their posts well-received? Do they have a huge reader following?

5 Easy Steps - How to Plan Your Blog Editorial Calendar:
Step #1  Look at your calendar for the year. Pick months, weeks and days according to significant milestones, events, news, etc. within your company or industry. For example, if you're a tax consultant April would be a great month to post tax tips.
Step #2  Figure out how many posts you'll write and publish each week.  If you post only two times per week then remain consistent. Don't write one post every other month and forget about your blog - that's the kiss of death for a blogger. You can save time with posts by writing and auto-scheduling posts ahead of time. Hint: Mix up your blog with longer posts/articles and shorter posts. Some bloggers post every day and some only once a week - it's up to you how  many posts are feasible to write/publish each week. Just be consistent with your posts!
Step #3  Create a calendar spreadsheet in Excel or Word that details the following: title of blog post or topic and "to be published" dates.
Step #4 Optimize your blog with keywords by reviewing your blog research, topics, information etc and include key words in your calendar.

• For example: Topic: How to Write Winning Content, Date: March 1, 2011, keywords: content writing, copywriting, how to write better content

Step #5 Write and schedule posts BEFORE your published dates. Don't wait until the last minute to write your posts. That's the entire point behind having a blog editorial calendar - so you can easily plan ahead!

 WordPress and other blog platforms allow you to schedule posts at any time - day or night & 24,7. Look into social media automated software such as HootSuite or Postling - makes it easy to write, manage and schedule posts.

There is a great WordPress Editorial Calendar plugin that is very helpful and will move you in the right direction - saves you a lot of time!

Stay tuned for Part Three in my blog series...How to Plan Your Weekly Social Media Updates 

The Big Digital Picture - How to Create Your 2011 Social Media Calendar

Did everyone survive their first week of 2011? It's been a busy week filled with deadlines and projects. I've jumped into the new year as a super triple tasker. 

I wanted to pass along some helpful tips to get you motivated and help steer you in the right direction with your social media calendar for 2011.

Stay tuned! I will be sharing a series of posts in the upcoming weeks about how to really hone into your social media messaging and how to create an actual social media calendar that you can stick with this year!  

Have you thought about your actual social media messaging for this year? The biggest mistake companies and solopreneurs make with their social media is that they jump full-steam ahead into social media WITHOUT having a plan or an editorial calendar.

BEFORE you start tweeting and adding Facebook friends, back up that social media trainand think "big picture" with your social media messaging. You need ideas and topics, before you can even begin updating and posting. 

Start with a few basic questions. If you don't have time to create a full-blown social media marketing plan right now, I suggest you ask yourself these FOUR IMPORTANT questions: 

1. WHO do you want to reach? Target markets/audiences? 

2. WHAT are your targeted audiences/markets biggest problems/issues? 

3. HOW are you going to solve your above target markets/audiences problems in 2011? 

4. WHAT ACTION do you want your targeted audiences to take? Think measurable and bottom-line!

Take that BIG PICTURE focus and then narrow your focus even further.  What BIG "newsworthy" EVENTS are coming up for your business in the next three to six months? Break these events down on a monthly basis: 

• Do you plan to launch new products or services? 
• Do you plan to restructure or rebrand your company? Layoffs? New hires?
• What hot trends are happening in your industry? Keep up-to-date with the latest industry news and information!
• Are there big changes (new laws, economy, etc.) on the horizon for your industry that could affect how you do business?

Then you need to delve even deeper. What should you be thinking about/doing on a daily basis that will help plan your social media calendar?

• What do you read? Newspapers, books, online ezines, etc.?
• What are you main sources for industry information? Newsletters, trade journals, blogs, etc.?
• How and where are you researching your targeted audiences likes/dislikes, issues, etc? Find out where your audiences/target markets hang out (online, that is!) 
• Who is saying what? What are your industry leaders, company executives, decision makers, etc. saying that is worth passing along?
• What expertise or valuable resources do you have at your fingertips that you can effectively use to stimulate social media conversations and genuine interaction? 

The purpose behind your social media message is NOT to shove the latest and greatest product or service down your audience's cyber throats. It's all about engaging people in real, authentic online conversations. Don't be a fake. Offer real help and expertise and always be courteous via social media - Netiquette rules to live by in 2011.

Instead of blasting out what you had for dinner last night and how Dan was the best dancer at your holiday party, think strategically and research before you plan your social media calendar. There are plenty of online resources available at your fingertips AND remember you do NOT have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to your content.  

Another helpful tip: use a spreadsheet document on your computer  or mobile device so you can actually create a running list of topics and ideas for your social media messaging, blogs, etc.

Hope these tips nudge you in the right social media calendar direction! Start off your 2011 on the right foot by planning and creating your social media calendar NOW! 

Stay tuned for Part Two: How to Create Your 2011 Social Media Calendar... 

How to Plan Your Blog Editorial Calendar for the ENTIRE YEAR!