Do Not Make These Social Media DIY Mistakes

Not everyone can afford to hire the best social media team (Atlantic Webworks). Many startups have a tight budget, and we understand that. As a new business though, your marketing strategy should be solid and should include social media—social media marketing in your business plan as well as in your budget. However, experience has shown me that very few new businesses have done that. Instead, they do this (don’t try this at home!):

• ignore social media
• create profiles only
• have no social engagement
• let everybody in the office have a go at it
• ask a 16-year old neighbor to “manage” it
• use social media for broadcasting and self-promotion only

With just a few hours of research, training, and planning, even a startup can have an awesome social media strategy plan and a solid content calendar.

After the planning phase, the business can hire someone to execute the plan, train their current staff to manage it, or choose to do it themselves. If you are such a startup and want to do your social media on a shoe-string budget (it’s not free; there is some cost involved!), I have a list of tools for you to get you started!

First Things First

Do not, I repeat, do not start your social media effort without a website! Your ultimate goal with social media marketing is to drive traffic to your website where you will have the best information and resources available about your business to convert a potential customer into a paying customer. That’s where you want traffic driven with your social media efforts.

If you think for one minute you can “do social” or “be social” without your own real estate (a website), you are not going to go anywhere. Think of social media platforms as rentals. You do not own these platforms; they can kick you out at any moment, and they have very strict rules as to what you can post, say, and do. Owning your real estate, your website, gives you the ability to post, say, and share whatever you want whenever you want. Think if it as an investment of time and money to get it done right.

Recommended Tools for Startups and DIY Social Media Management

Hardware

• Computer & Smartphone - Whether you are an Apple or PC fan, choose compatible devices. For example, if you love your iPad and need a Smartphone, get an iPhone. Got one or both of those and need a new computer? Get an iMac! Also, if you are not comfortable with technology, ask around! Find someone who loves technology and ask them to show you what their device can do before you decide on what to invest your money in.

• Camera with Tripod and Video Option - Video marketing is not an option anymore. Many business owners (myself included) might be deterred because they do not know how to video-edit. However, shooting video on-the-go and creating branded videos is a MUST if you are serious about social media, so shoot the video and outsource the editing part! All I have to say is “Ice Bucket Challenge,” and you know the importance of video in social media today!

Software

• Microsoft Word
• PowerPoint

Social Media Apps and Tools

• Chrome Browser with Extensions
• Feedly
• Buffer App
• Hootsuite
• Canva
• PicMonkey
• Google Doc

This is just the tip of the iceberg—a start to what you might need, and understanding what each tool does and how you can best use it is important. Let me know if you have questions about any of these tools, and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

The MOST important thing to remember is to not just jump in. Get educated, trained, and make a plan.

How will you start your social media journey?

Dorien