This post has been updated to include an infographic, “Social Media Marketing in 3 Easy Days.” It is embedded before the main text of this article. You can embed this infographic on your site by using the embed code at the end of this post.
Do you have a problem finding the time to manage your business’ social media network on a weekly basis?
It can be challenging to create, curate, post to, and monitor and engage with your social media network, and stay on top of running your business at the same time.
Having a social media marketing schedule will help you cover all the bases, without losing focus or time from your business. Create a calendar schedule with specific goals and tasks that can be completed in three days, one hour a day. If you feel an hour each day is too much, spread your tasks over five days.
In this article I share what I do in three days to manage my social media network. While this 3-day schedule fits my needs, you may have to adjust it to fit your work schedule. I also use other social media sites that I didn’t list here, which takes a little longer to manage. But most business owners who handle their own social media tasks use only one to two social media platforms.
You will also have to analyze your social and blog traffic and engagement so you can see what is working best in your social media marketing strategy. This can be done once or twice a month. Another way to shorten your task time is to follow fewer people than noted below across all accounts.
I’ve also added a directory listing task to the schedule, as it is important that your business is listed everywhere possible on the Web so people can find you.
Want to start the New Year right with a clear and solid social media marketing strategy for your business? Sign up for a free consultation.
Sign up for an initial free consultation to help you get started on your digital marketing path.
"*" indicates required fields
Like this post? Share it on Twitter by click the message box below:
[ctt tweet=”Check out this great #infographic on creating a #SocialMediaMarketingSchedule in 3 days. via @CJScribe #socialmediamanagement #CJSMedia” coverup=”zq0ed”]
A 3-Day Social Media Marketing Schedule
Monday
Curate Content
- Check Feedly.com and other sources for content to share across all social media sites.
- Choose from your editorial calendar any quick tips and advice to share (the calendar should already be filled. If you don’t have one set up, take a day or two to brainstorm with your sales or creative team for content).
- Check calendar for company news or announcements, or new products and/or services your company offers, and schedule posts accordingly on your social network or blog.
- Use Buffer or another social media management platform to autoschedule content. Fill content schedule for at least 7 days. Typically, we make comments or offer additional advice when sharing content from other sites. However, when posting to Twitter, make sure you do not go over the 140 character limit. You may have to post to Twitter separately, or edit the content after scheduling. For Google Plus, format with a bolded headline. See this article by Kevan Lee at Buffer Social on how to format posts and best use Google Plus.
Tip: Content should always offer advice, tips, positive commentary about your area of business or industry. It should show that you are an expert in your field. The point is to offer followers and fans/clients valuable advice with all content shared, including from your own company/blog.
- Follow 10 to 20 new people/brands: Refer to your chart that you set up when defining your target audience on who to follow. Also follow people who are not only potential customers, but like-minded individuals in your industry: bloggers who write about topics related to your industry; other businesses that are not direct competitors but offer complementary services — i.e. if you’re a real estate broker, you’ll want to connect with interior decorators, contractors, moving companies, etc.
- Retweet 5 Tweets: Just as the etiquette is to follow back those who follow you, retweeting and re-sharing content from your followers should be reciprocated. It is best space out the retweets. You can use Buffer to retweet directly from Twitter, and autoschedule them to post at different times. You can also schedule them as regular posts on your other social media sites.
- Share content from 5 other Facebook business or people’s pages to your business page. This content should, of course, be relevant to your business or industry. You can also share great quotes, something inspirational, or even humorous photos. Making a comment on posts shared is best.
- Like and comment on 5 posts from other business pages/people: comments should be positive, and offer your take on the subject of the post.
- Create and schedule a Facebook ad to promote a post, or drive traffic to your Website. I find the latter type of ad is best, as you have a concrete goal of driving traffic to a specific page to collect leads, or sell a product. This action can be done weekly, biweekly or once a month, depending on your budget.
Tip: While organic reach is practically zero for pages with lower fan counts, I find step 1 and 2 help when sharing and commenting on content from business pages of organizations with fan counts in the hundreds of thousands.
Tuesday
Dedicated Content
Find/create dedicated content to schedule according to your social media editorial calendar. For some clients we schedule: a Facebook photo of the week with a caption; an inspirational or thoughtful quote; advice or tip of the week; weekend wishes; and a question of the week. Put all into a spreadsheet, and assign dates to schedule on your social network. If you want to take it a step further, create image cards for quotes and tips using Canva or another image creator. Schedule image cards to be published using your social management platform or on your blog, according to your social post calendar.
- Pin images from your newest blog posts.
- Repin 5 images from other Pinterest users, all having to do with your area of business. You can also repin inspirational quotes if you have a quote board, as well as humorous pins, videos, etc.
- Follow 5 to 10 new boards/people. Follow those who have followed your business or your boards.
- Create a Pinterest storyboard: using images from other sites/Pinterest users/your blog, create a story such as a How-to story, or an inspirational story on overcoming a particular problem.
Google+
- Follow 10 to 20 new people / companies / bloggers / target demographic. Add them to the correct circle category.
- Join 1 /2 new Communities. Note: You can join communities to participate in them by posting useful information, occasionally to share your blog posts if allowed, or to join in discussions, and also to have defined streams of interest to follow.
- Comment on 3 posts from followers/or in communities. Comments should add or share additional advice related to the post. Occasionally share a link from your blog for reference in comments made if it adds value to the post — note: be careful, you don’t want to be banned by spamming communities.
- Schedule new blog post to share. Summarize content adding “value” to the post. Check out this article on Google+ posts about adding value to your posts, and here’s another article on how to use formatting in Google+.
YouTube
- Subscribe to 3 to 5 new channels.
- Like/comment on 3 to 5 new videos.
- Like/add to your video playlists at least 2 to 3 videos that have to do with your area of business. You can also look for channels/videos related to products or services related to your business.
- Post new videos. Buffer to share on your social sites for later in the week.
Wednesday
Check Feedly and other sources for new content to share. Refill Buffer as much as you can. If you use the free account, you’re limited to 10 scheduled posts per social channel.
Pin a “sell” or promotional message. Link to your blog or to your company site. Make sure to add your phone number and Website to the caption information.
- Check mail, notifications and connection requests.
- Respond to new comments on your posts.
- Like, comment on at least 3 posts from connections/groups/companies that you follow.
- Send at least one request to a new connection. Make it personal.
- If you own or manage a group, check for post submissions, requests to join, and messages. Invite more people to join your group. Comment on any discussions.
Directories
Each week, list your business in a directory. Use images and logo when possible. To make it a quick process each week, store business information and any images in an easily accessible file, such as in Dropbox, to be used for each directory.
Tip: Use a service like Yext, or something similar to look for directory ideas.
Everyday
In addition to the above schedule, you will need to do the following everyday to avoid any critical social media reputation mishaps, and to not miss out on any hot leads.
- Check for comments, complaints, shares, and questions on all social media channels.
- Respond to all messages.
- Thank followers and fans for following, retweeting and sharing your posts.
Summary
A solid social media marketing schedule will keep your social network active, and help grow your business / brand fan base in an organic and productive manner. The short-term investment, will turn into a longterm Web Presence for your business.