I Don’t Have Time for Social Media Marketing – I Have a Business to Run. But there are ways to effectively manage a social media campaign(s) in less than an hour a day. You can come across a new forum and spend an hour setting up a business profile. Social media is just one way of promoting it. At a meeting the other day, a successful and socially-savvy REALTOR® explained that they key to evaluating how to spend the time you have available for promoting yourself was by repeatedly asking yourself, “How will this activity bring me business now or down the road?” So what do you want out of social media? If your goal is to increase your brand awareness in the community, perhaps your campaign objective is as straightforward as getting 20 new local followers on Twitter. Active on Twitter (@CYBurlHarborVT) and Facebook, Andreola says she keeps up with social media throughout the day by checking in on her profiles on her mobile phone and iPad periodically. Here’s the how: The #1 key to managing social media marketing time is having a strategy in place and sticking to it. You DO have time Social media does take a time investment. But if it means reaching new customers, connecting with current clients, engaging with industry peers and promoting your brand – isn’t an hour a day worth it?
“Social media sounds interesting, but I just don’t have time to get into it. I’m too busy running my business!”
You’re right. If you want to be effective in social media marketing, you have to invest some time. But there are ways to effectively manage a social media campaign(s) in less than an hour a day. The reality of the time suck
OK, so the truth is that social media CAN be a major time suck. You can (and I often do) go on Twitter “for just a minute” and end up chatting for two hours. You can come across a new forum and spend an hour setting up a business profile. You can hop from article to article, just reading and commenting on stories and tips for half a day. You can – and you should. These are all things that will help you learn the ropes, engage in networking opportunities and promote your business. But you don’t have to get caught in the social media time suck every day.
Your business comes first. Social media is just one way of promoting it. At a meeting the other day, a successful and socially-savvy REALTOR® explained that they key to evaluating how to spend the time you have available for promoting yourself was by repeatedly asking yourself, “How will this activity bring me business now or down the road?”
So what do you want out of social media?
Sales? Brand recognition? A positive name in the community? Connections with people who can help promote your business?
Think about this question, look at your overall marketing goals and write down your campaign objectives. Be as specific as possible here. For example, if one of your goals is to have your restaurant packed full of patrons every Friday night, your campaign objective for the week might be to get five diners to come in as a direct result of your online efforts. (You could measure this by using a coupon code throughout your online campaigns.) If your goal is to increase your brand awareness in the community, perhaps your campaign objective is as straightforward as getting 20 new local followers on Twitter.
Jessica Andreola is the Operations Manager at the Courtyard Burlington Harbor Hotel. Active on Twitter (@CYBurlHarborVT) and Facebook, Andreola says she keeps up with social media throughout the day by checking in on her profiles on her mobile phone and iPad periodically.
“It is important for us to keep up with local news and events, to promote Burlington and to connect with clients/potential clients,” she said. “For…
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