You’ve heard the annoying, overused catch phrase, go big or go home, right?
Annoying and overused as it is, there’s some good
advice in there. When entrepreneurs do social media marketing, too often, they do it reactively and … well, frankly — badly.
“I have a promotion! Let me hurry up and Tweet it!… Ahhh, done. Tweeted.” Now all you have to do is update your Facebook status with how productive you were today, right?
Wrong.
The thing about social media is that you can’t do it only when you need something. You can’t just Tweet when you need to drive traffic to a promotion or sales page, you have to consistently work to build a relationship with your followers over a period of time. And that means … yes, brace yourself for the most boring word in the English language: Consistency.
Yeah, consistency sucks. Entrepreneurs are talented, creative people. The last thing we want to be is consistent. Consistency is doing the same thing over and over and over and it’s boring! For many of us (like me), it’s a fate worse than death.
But here’s the problem: You must be consistent to successfully grow a business. You can’t build a business and the standard, social media following that comes with it without some of that yucky, boring consistency stuff.
So how do you be consistent without losing your marbles?
You start by recognizing that the consistency (or lack of it) is going to make or break your social media following. Once you’re in agreement with that, you’re set to make it happen.
Here’s how to be more consistent on Social Media:
1. Decide How You Uniquely Add Value Via Social Media
What do you provide that makes your social media followers follow you? What is special about your social media content that would make the same people who would want to buy your products or services, also want to follow you on social media?
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help narrow down what that might be:
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Do you provide a unique perspective on your industry that your followers are interested in?
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Do you provide education or training on a topic your followers are interested in?
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Do you take a lot of different information, and cull it down to just what your followers want to see?
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Do you give your followers timely updates on information they need, but may not have gotten otherwise?
Definitely the complaint I hear the most is about taking the time to work consistently in social media. Yet, I’m lov’en this line: …”over time, earns you the right to send them to that special offer to buy your products or services.”
Definitely the complaint I hear the most is about taking the time to work consistently in social media. Yet, I’m lov’en this line: …”over time, earns you the right to send them to that special offer to buy your products or services.”
I have just begun social media and I find this article very helpful to me!! I was wondering how it all came together!! Thank you for this article. Tips I will definitely be using.
I have just begun social media and I find this article very helpful to me!! I was wondering how it all came together!! Thank you for this article. Tips I will definitely be using.
Consistency in anything is very important. In life we as humans respond best to a rhythm and keeping that consistently. That is why there are so many protocols suggested even for something as simple as making sure your sleep routine is consistent. In business its also important to define your message and then have a plan to share it with others. Especially if you are wanting to see goals reached. Thanks for another great post, Michael.
Consistency in anything is very important. In life we as humans respond best to a rhythm and keeping that consistently. That is why there are so many protocols suggested even for something as simple as making sure your sleep routine is consistent. In business its also important to define your message and then have a plan to share it with others. Especially if you are wanting to see goals reached. Thanks for another great post, Michael.
Fantastic advice here. Far too many people trying to market with social media miss the importance of community building. I always say, “Don’t use social media like a megaphone.” You have some great advice here on what not to do and what you should be doing instead.
Fantastic advice here. Far too many people trying to market with social media miss the importance of community building. I always say, “Don’t use social media like a megaphone.” You have some great advice here on what not to do and what you should be doing instead.
Great suggestions. Consistency is so important as is giving real value. It’s also crucial to know where your ideal customers play on social media.
Great suggestions. Consistency is so important as is giving real value. It’s also crucial to know where your ideal customers play on social media.
These are great, even for people who think “consistency” is a curse word. Thank you for making this such a good read with great advice.
These are great, even for people who think “consistency” is a curse word. Thank you for making this such a good read with great advice.
This is something it took me awhile to learn, as I’m sure it did for most people! But it makes a huge difference in your followers’ trust of your brand.
This is something it took me awhile to learn, as I’m sure it did for most people! But it makes a huge difference in your followers’ trust of your brand.
You nailed it. Consistency sucks. Still working hard on that.
You nailed it. Consistency sucks. Still working hard on that.
Another great post, consistency on twitter is probably the most time consuming, so I automate most posts and then retweet and add value manually. still finding what works.
Another great post, consistency on twitter is probably the most time consuming, so I automate most posts and then retweet and add value manually. still finding what works.
You’ve summed it up well and yes… I hate the boring stuff. I do love to connect with my clients, but since I am just starting, more of my time is spent trying to stay on top of all this social media “stuff” and to me seems to be taking away from growning my business. I suppose that’s because I had a studio for so many years and am not used to an online business. Looks like you’ve got a lot of articles I’ll need to come back to read! Thanks for the info
You’ve summed it up well and yes… I hate the boring stuff. I do love to connect with my clients, but since I am just starting, more of my time is spent trying to stay on top of all this social media “stuff” and to me seems to be taking away from growning my business. I suppose that’s because I had a studio for so many years and am not used to an online business. Looks like you’ve got a lot of articles I’ll need to come back to read! Thanks for the info
So true and great point… I’ve told this to all of my clients, if they aren’t going to “do social” and do it on a regular basis, they might as well forget it. Consistency is key!
Tell people all the time that also. Can’t just turn on pure automation and do nothing. Defeats the purpose of “Social”
So true and great point… I’ve told this to all of my clients, if they aren’t going to “do social” and do it on a regular basis, they might as well forget it. Consistency is key!
Tell people all the time that also. Can’t just turn on pure automation and do nothing. Defeats the purpose of “Social”
I actually thrive on routine and consistency but in our schizophrenic world, the odds are “consistently” stacked against us. I would love a “pause” button that we can use at our leisure just to be able to keep up with it all
Did you ever see the movie “click” might rethink the pause button …..lol
I hear you! schizophrenic world YIKES
Yes I did see that movie but I just think we all need it to be able to breathe
I actually thrive on routine and consistency but in our schizophrenic world, the odds are “consistently” stacked against us. I would love a “pause” button that we can use at our leisure just to be able to keep up with it all
Did you ever see the movie “click” might rethink the pause button …..lol
I hear you! schizophrenic world YIKES
Yes I did see that movie but I just think we all need it to be able to breathe
I’m amazed at the number of people who post stuff (especially on LinkedIn) and then never go back and engage at all — let alone consistently — with their connections or followers. And then they complain that no one pays attention to them!
Yes so darn true Jackie. Is called “Social” for a reason right
I’m amazed at the number of people who post stuff (especially on LinkedIn) and then never go back and engage at all — let alone consistently — with their connections or followers. And then they complain that no one pays attention to them!
Yes so darn true Jackie. Is called “Social” for a reason right
Yes, cannot agree more that consistency = not giving up is the best advice you can give and use. I smiled at some comments below about hitting the Pause button. Because I do, many times, when I need to… And you know what? Nothing bad happens when you allow yourself some time to breathe, get yourself together, and then start again when ready
Yes, cannot agree more that consistency = not giving up is the best advice you can give and use. I smiled at some comments below about hitting the Pause button. Because I do, many times, when I need to… And you know what? Nothing bad happens when you allow yourself some time to breathe, get yourself together, and then start again when ready
…Awesome website
[…]Wow, incredible weblog format! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?[…]
Consistency cannot be overemphasized. It plays an important role in the marketing success. Basically, consistent content creates loyal customers by employing a strategy in order to keep your social content updated regularly with valuable content in a consistent voice, tone and most particularly timeframe.
Consistency cannot be overemphasized. It plays an important role in the marketing success. Basically, consistent content creates loyal customers by employing a strategy in order to keep your social content updated regularly with valuable content in a consistent voice, tone and most particularly timeframe.
Great point! Being consistent is boring, but we must do it in order to be on the top when it comes to social media. I mean, being consistent when it comes to providing a good relationship with your followers can have positive results. And being consistent in terms of uniqueness can attract new followers. Consistency plays an important role in social media.
Uniqueness….so agree. So important to be yourself. Thanks for stopping by Barbara
You’re welcome
Great point! Being consistent is boring, but we must do it in order to be on the top when it comes to social media. I mean, being consistent when it comes to providing a good relationship with your followers can have positive results. And being consistent in terms of uniqueness can attract new followers. Consistency plays an important role in social media.
Uniqueness….so agree. So important to be yourself. Thanks for stopping by Barbara
You’re welcome