Social Media 101: Tactics and Tips to DevelopYour Business Online

Chapter 77. 50 Steps to Establishing a Consistent Social Media Practice

You've told the boss that you're going to implement social media stuff for your organization, and in your mind, you've decided that means an account on Twitter and a blog. Maybe there's a bit more to it than that. For instance, what are your goals? Are you there to show customers and prospective new customers that you care? Are you there to solve customer issues? Are you building awareness and attempting new forms of digital marketing? Knowing this up front makes a world of difference.

In the meantime, here are some things you might consider when it comes time to implement your social media practice. Included are ideas for starting out, for augmenting your efforts, for writing content, for next steps, and for using metrics.

1. If you're blogging, make that a home base for all your other efforts.

2. Reread the "Passports" section of this book, and use it to think about your blog promotion efforts.

3. Pick three social networks to join based on where your customers might be. Three might sound like too few, but it probably will be too many.

4. On those networks and on your passport accounts, make sure you link everything back to the blog.

5. Get a second (maybe even a third) person in the company to build accounts on these places. Nice to have backups, in case you get busy.

6. Build an editorial calendar to think about your posting schedule and subject matter.

7. Subscribe to 50 or more blogs in a similar space as yours, including competitors ...