Many of my over 50 colleagues are overwhelmed with using social media

Okay, I get that.  We didn’t grow up with smart phones, lap tops, tablets or any digital marketing like social media.  So here we find ourselves embarking upon new ventures and know marketing has changed and we need to learn how to maneuver this new landscape of technology.  Before you let the overwhelm take over and stop you, let me share a few interesting facts.

  • The average Facebook user is getting older.  There are now more 50+ users than younger people.  My 92 year old Aunt joined Facebook last year to keep up with the grandkids
  • Social Networking continued to gain momentum in 2011, as 9 out of every 10 U.S. Internet users visited a social networking site in a month.
  • According to ComScore, the past few years have seen a rapid evolution of the display advertising – this means online advertising is taking over!
  • Both smartphones and tablets have altered the digital ecosystem as an increasing amount of media is consumed away from the classic web (computers), a trend that has  accelerated every year.

Okay, so you know that to gain exposure for your business, book or any venture you want to get out to the public you need to embrace social media

I read a recent article about author  Margart Atwood who at the age of 73 said she “dabbles” in modern technology.  According to an article in Huffington Post, she has 430,000 Twitter followers and has posted over 19,000 Tweets. In addition to that, she is active on Facebook.

Tips to a Social Media Strategy

  1. Know which social media sites your target audience frequents.  Not sure?  Do a survey – ask as many people that may be your target market.  This seems so obvious but most people I work with tell me they have never asked.
  2. Once you determine your most likely social sites, choose 2-3 and start a consistent strategy of posting content
  3. Know your goal for using social media – brand awareness, customer service, lead generation ?
  4. Create posts that would bring value to your target audience.  It is always a good strategy to educate people about your niche, this build credibility and the know, like factor in marketing.
  5. Create a monthly calendar of topics and stick to it – this way you will establish some continuity to your posts.
  6. Engage followers by asking and answering questions
  7. Ask people to join you on social media by adding links to your social sites on your website, email signature and all marketing materials

Remember how you eat an elephant?

Yes…one bite at a time!
That’s why I suggested you only start on 2 or 3 social media sites.  Don’t try to do it all.  Once you are consistent, are building a following and some engagement is happening, then and only then think about taking on another social site.  Too often we become overwhelmed by trying to do too much!

Start with a plan

Ah yes, the success of any marketing activity starts with a plan.  Without a plan you will simply being spitting in the wind hoping something sticks – and generally nothing much ever sticks!

If you need help developing a social media strategy, I can help!

Check out my social media coaching session, I guarantee to give you focus and clarity.