After reading hundreds of articles, helping my clients with Social Media and also using it to cultivate my own business, I have come to find there is a short list of "must dos" to make Social Media "work for you".
Could I add a hundred other items to this list, you bet. Time and time again I hear from business owners who are overwhelmed by Social Media, they don't' know where to start and more importantly they don't know where to stop.
This list is designed for the average business owner who wants to get some traction from Social Media but not have it consume all of their time.
Check your Social Media General Health and then rate yourself using the scoring at the bottom of the page.
o I have at least four key venues I enjoy using (we recommend, Facebook, Twitter, blogs and Linked In at the top picks)
o I have set up my profile on at least 5 additional social media sites, completely filled out the profile and use the profile to direct people to the sites where I do spend time.
o I subscribe to blogs and newsletters which are about social media and my industry.
o I am committed to improving my knowledge and skills with social media now and in the future.
o I understand there are four stages to social media effectiveness: Broadcasting, Interacting, Engaging and Empowering.
o I understand broadcasting will not get me business or help me cultivate relationships or further my brand.
o I understand the first rule of social media is to be social. o I have my social media icons on my business card.
o I have links at the bottom of my email with my social media links.
o I routinely Google my name and my sites, social media and blog activity dominate the search.
Rate Yourself
8-10– Congratulations, in general terms you are using Social Media to your advantage and have created a sound foundation. You can build in almost any direction knowing you have already created a foundation to support Advanced Marketing, Strategic Growth and operationally sound marketing systems.
7-8 – Health is good but a little more effort and it could be solid. You can still move into Advanced Marketing routines, however, a rating of 8 or above will assure advanced tactics are the most successful.
Danger Zone! 5-6 – Things could fail quickly. Remember your competition is eagerly trying to out score you. Many people in this range tend to “throw things against the wall to see what will stick”. This is a danger range and it’s easy to get lost, waste time, waste money. Don’t be fooled because there is some items in place, they have to be strong enough to build upon.
Below 5 – You are in danger of being “unmemorable” if not already there. This is typically the range of the beginning business or the “old school” business owner. This is the range to help you understand the starting point and how to narrow your focus for the most effective.
