Are You Using Your Social Media to Its Full Potential?

Whenever I ask a client or a prospect if they’re using their social media channels to their full potential, I invariably get an affronted reply somewhat along the lines of, “Of course I am, what do you take me for?”

Then I’ll ask them about their Twitter Analytics or their Facebook Insight.

I love the blank stares that I get in reply at this point in the conversation.

(What I really like is when they say, “Damn, am I ever glad that I hired you!”)

Let’s talk some more about this!

There’s More to Social Media than Just Posting and Engaging

If you’re a regular reader of my blog then you know that I’m always hammering away about how you should be posting and engaging on social media continually.

(If you’re one of my clients then you know what its like to meet with me weekly and have me hammer away at you in person on this topic.)

But, unless you’re on social media for strictly personal reasons then you really should be taking advantage of all that your various social media channels offer you.

In many cases, much of this additional functionality is free, so why not?

What’s Out There?

The biggest wasted opportunity with social media is around metrics.

All the major social media channels have analytical capabilities which are often overlooked.

To name just a few:

1. Twitter Analytics
2. Facebook Insight
3. LinkedIn Page Analytics

Then there are a few broader tools:

1. Hootsuite Analytics
2. Google Analytics
3. Mailchimp

My purpose in this article is not to review all these tools with you in detail.

There’s too much for one article and I’m trying to make another point.

(Although, Ill cover some of these topics in future articles. So, please come back!)

What I want to accomplish is to raise your level of awareness of whats available to use.

The theme running through all of these features is measuring your activity.

I’m reminded of the old saying, If you don’t know where you’re going then any road will take you there.

When you’re using social media for business then you need to have goals in mind.

Specific goals.

Numbers!

(I know Ive probably lost a few of you with that last one but please bear with me.)

But, metrics rule!

Without data then how do you know howre measuring up against your original goals?

(In case you’re wondering, I’m as equally forceful in my weekly meetings with clients about how they’re doing against their goals. Engage me and find out for yourself!)

Each of these tools help you to understand whats going on with your social media, whats working and whats not working.

It cant get any simpler than that!

Observations

Here’re are the key takeaways from this week’s article for you:

1. Take advantage of all that’s offered in your social media channels.
2. Study your data and understand whats working for you and whats not.
3. And, if you’re like me and you’re a small business person then dont overlook these gifts which are sitting on your various devices and can help you achieve your goals!

That’s it for now!

Please check-out my 8 step approach for developing a social media program to get some more ideas on how to use social media.

Also, never forget to reach out to either ask questions or to ask for help from someone like myself!

In the meantime, thank you for following and reading my blog!

I look forward to any and all comments that you may have. I will reply to any comments made to this blog post as promptly as I can.

And, remember!

I do this for a living and if I can be of any assistance to either you or your organization, please feel free to call on me. Our initial discussion will be of no charge to you.

I can also be reached at conpsweeney@someddi.com.

My Twitter handle is @conpsweeney.

Stay well!