In today’s digital age, having a well-defined social media strategy is essential for building and nurturing a loyal community. But why is it so important, and how do you effectively implement one? Well, your strategy is the backbone of social media engagement
Connecting with your natural fans is essential as they are the foundation of your community. Your community consists of the people who come to you organically. They appreciate your content, engage with it, support your brand, and help you understand what resonates with your audience. By observing their feedback and interactions, you can improve your content. Understanding what draws people to your content helps refine your approach, making your messaging more authentic and appealing.
A well-thought-out strategy provides a solid foundation for any campaign or new channel by ensuring your efforts align with your overall mission. To create a well-articulated strategy follow the Six-M’s: mission, message, management, medium, metrics, monitoring,
Mission: The cornerstone of your strategy, defining your reasoning and usages. For example, if your company aims to generate $50,000 in revenue, your social media efforts should align with this goal. This might involve creating product reviews and recording customer testimonials to share on your socials. Ask for feedback on your company’s strengths and weaknesses to establish goals. Without a clear mission, your posts can become a disjointed mix of content.
Message: The story you tell. Each piece of content should contribute to the larger narrative of your brand. View your posts from the perspective of a follower or consumer. Are you conveying a cohesive and compelling story that aligns with your brand’s values and objectives?
Management: Making your strategy consistent. Develop a repeatable process from creation to post and share it with your team. This ensures that if you’re unavailable, the company doesn’t fall to pieces.
Medium: Choosing the right platform. Each social media platform is unique and you don’t need to be on everyone. High-quality content will naturally jump across platforms via audience shares. Focus on what works best for each platform and stop doing what isn’t effective.
Metrics: Understanding the impact of your efforts. Initially, identify who you want to attract and highlight through your social media activities. If your current strategy isn’t delivering the desired results, dig deeper into the data to determine what needs to change. Public interactions, such as likes, comments, and shares, provide valuable insights into your audience’s preferences. Treat each interaction as a vote, and adjust your strategy to give your audience what they want.
Monitoring: The post-publishing process. Continuously listen to your audience. If a post doesn’t receive a positive response, be ready to pivot. Pay attention to comments, tweets, and other feedback to learn what your audience likes and dislikes about your brand. Use third-party tools if they help, but they’re not always necessary. The key is to stay attuned to your audience’s voice.
In conclusion, a social media strategy is vital for building a genuine and engaged community. By focusing on the Six-M’s, you can create a robust and successful social media presence. Remember, the goal is to connect with your audience in a meaningful way and foster a loyal community that supports your brand.
