Overwhelmed.
When I look through my client meeting notes from the past few months I see that word over and over. Businesses are overwhelmed by Facebook. Overwhelmed by all the new social platforms. Overwhelmed because there’s not enough time in the week to do it all.
But I’ve also noticed something else. Most of the people I talk to are very passionate about what they do. A large percentage of them have invested in extensive training to be at the top of their game. But their first attempts at social media marketing have left them confused, and yes, overwhelmed. They are often nervous to spend any more time (or money) on social media, or on any type of web marketing for that matter.
This worries me. Because without a strategy to get visibility on the web, the chances of building a successful business are very limited. All that expensive training gone to waste. Because in today’s world, being invisible on the web is like not being in business at all.
So if overwhelmed is your middle name, please listen to me and don’t give up on social media. Step back, breathe, and take action on one (or all) of these three things:
- Know Who You Need To Attract: Before you dip your toe any further into the social media swimming pool you must know precisely who your ideal customer is. Get inside her head and figure out what she struggles with. The most successful businesses on social media post content that touches people on a deep emotional level. You can do this and gain the trust necessary to take the relationship to the next level.
- Focus On Just A Couple Social Media Sites: No one can manage Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. and do them all well. So, choose the sites where your ideal clients are spending time and focus your efforts there. Keep in mind that over 70% of Internet users have a Facebook account, so it’s likely your prospects are on Facebook. Here’s a handy chart that will help you choose:
- Get Some Training: Gone are the days when social media marketing was as simple getting a Facebook business page up and posting interesting content. The businesses that are most successful with social media know how to engage their community with content that touches them in a deep way. In order to stand out you need to nail that. There are a lot of live and online courses available for small businesses but you should choose the one that aligns with your personal learning style. If you can read a book or watch a video and be good to go, that’s great. But many of us need more help and nurturing to get it right.
Social media provides small businesses with an unprecedented opportunity to reach out and attract the people we want to work with. If it’s not working for your business, you probably just need some training. And if you’re worried about finding the time, there are automation tools that are indispensable. I use them every day and many of them are free.
Are you overwhelmed by Social Media? Use the comment box to rant, complain or share your successes:
By the way, if your learning style is hands on, check out my live online courses in the links at the top of the page.
