Lost in the Social Media Forest ~ Help!
08/03/2016
FAQ: Help! I’m lost in the social media forest and can’t find my way. How do I make sense of it all when every day there seems to be a new social media channel?
Day 2 of #BloggerGroove Challenge: 7 blog posts in 7 days. This time Darren Rowse asked us to create a posted based on an FAQ.
It’s far too easy to get lost in the social media world where multiple paths intertwine and new shiny opportunties can take you into places that make no sense for your brand.
Let’s put a business spin on it and call these paths “channels.” As examples, in the digital/social media space channels would include: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope, YouTube and throw in blogs. It’s enough to make even the most experienced digital marketer dizzy.
Add to that each channel has its own quirks, algorithums, audience. Add to that C-H-A-N-G-E-S. Add to that you must determine what resources (people, time, money) you can dedicate to explore and master new channels and updates.
Example. Just this week Instagram, the popular photo sharing platform, released an a la SnapChat feature. Instagram Stories will disappear in 24-hours. Oh no another thing to learn how to use and how to market! Note: Article comparing Instagram and Snapchat that might give you some insights.
A couple of “IF – Then What ” questions that can and should be used with any new social media channel or feature you’re considering investing in. Don’t fool yourself. Each and everytime you commit to a social channel it becomes an investment and (hopefully!) an asset for your brand. There is no free!
If your customers love Instagram then will they love Instagram Stories?
If your customers are on Snapchat then will they stay on that channel?
If your customers love both Snapchat and Instagram Stories then what is your content game plan?
If you’ve built assets for Snapchat then how much more development and maintenance will you dedicate?
If you think your customers will migrate to Instagram Stories then what’s your game plan?
If you’re not sure if your customers will migrate to Instagram Stories then what’s your game plan?
No wonder people get lost in the social media forest!
3 additional suggestions that may lessen the stress and even help you enjoy the journey!
Know where you’re going, call it — Define success for you.
Understand how you’re going to get there, call it — Create a roadmap.
Build in time and resources to understand new channels and features call it — Explore new paths.
Your turn! How do you navigate the ever changing world of social media?
