Don’t Waste My Time, I’m Working

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A couple of years ago, I thought everyone was actively using social media, but me. I thought I was behind, but really didn’t care too much. I thought I worked with businesses peculiarly difficult in this area, and that I could influence them a little at best, and would continue to try, but mastering this monster would probably take a new hire in our organization. I didn’t try very hard because I knew I struggled with it, too.

We knew it could help, knew it helped some businesses, but were still unsure how much. I think I looked at social media as more of a fad that would evolve or fade away. I see that many of you think that right now.

During that earlier time, we were asked to manage some social media on a limited basis for a handful of ‘grandfathered’ businesses we hold dear to our hearts. We spend the majority of our time on larger client projects, like research, web development, content and web writing, and print marketing – social media was one of those things in our periphery. In NO way did I ever think social media would be a large part of our business, at least I hoped not.

Here’s what we learned that changed our minds, and made us take control of our own social media marketing, and insist that you do the same:

• Every time we actively ‘ghost’ for another company on social media, they get new business, within a day or two.
• When we convince a company to take control of their media, they get excited and manage their message. That helps them forecast messages, too, a great time saver.
• People respond to encouraging, exciting business messages faster than they respond to a dull, lifeless online appearance that mainly consists of locations.
• Businesses that interact with each other have much higher local followings.
• Once we get a company to understand how to build content and share it, they can pretty much have the run of their communities.
• Phones ring.

None of you are alone. Right now, everyone either wants to start or learn how to do it better – YOU’RE NOT LATE!!

Social media isn’t magic. It takes a consistent effort and a desire to share your service with others who truly want to know you’re out there. I don’t care if you’re a candle company or a plumber or a public speaker, you serve your communities – and social media helps you let others know how you do that. Customers insist on knowing this, as a matter of fact.

You see that you have a responsibility to your community to be available to them, right? Then realize your message has to be available in whatever format they prefer. That includes social media, YouTube, RSS, and email newsletters – all used to share the same information you’re posting to your blog.

Make yourself commit to 15 minutes in the morning and 15-30 minutes at lunch or in the evening to reach out to at least one of your neighborhoods online. Give yourself grace to learn one area and then go on to another once you have that one down.

Your life has to change to accommodate this. It just does. But if you can’t commit to 45 minutes a day for your community interactions, you don’t have anyone else to blame when your phone doesn’t ring. Your competitor will do this, and draw your customers to them.

Websites and Facebook pages are only as good as the interaction on them. Draw visitors to those pages during face-to-face conversations, with Twitter and Google+, and send them from Facebook to your website – and hopefully your email newsletter sign up sheet. This will require content to share, namely – a blog. We talk about that tomorrow.

This isn’t too hard, it’s just a new way to look at your life in the office. My husband has worked for several companies that have grown exponentially over the years. Each time they anticipated growth, they had to reorganize tasks and develop new guidelines to do that. Your company is no different. You have to manage for growth. Social media isn’t going away, and you need to be able to manage your message in the most effective way possible to stay relevant to those you have been serving, and those you wish to serve in the future. Social media should be part of someone’s job description.

This July, I’m hosting a live event in the NE Dallas area to help you understand some of the nuances of Facebook that will help you get started or just do it better. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to meet a handful of people who are really succeeding in this area and are willing to teach you how, too. I invite you to bring along the person you’d trust managing your online messages, if that won’t be you. Don’t just send them, because you need to understand this stuff, too.

Call me. In the Dallas area, 214-714-0495. If you’re in the Neenah – Menasha – Appleton, WI areas, call Shari Voigt at 920-364-0261. We’ve been where you are, and know what you need to learn to become effective. We can help. Call us.