When I started using social media for marketing, I noticed that it seemed to steal minutes and hours from my day. Whether I said, “I’ll just do 30 minutes” to actually using a timer, I used to get “Screen Faced” and — hours later — stumble away from my laptop feeling intoxicated and exhausted from trying to keep up with all my social networks.
Then I discovered applications that automatically update the networks. That helped significantly with my time. So now, LinkedIn, Twitter and my Facebook Fan Page are updated when I post a blog entry. And when I update my Facebook status, it goes directly to Twitter.
Helpful tools, but what made the biggest difference for managing my time?
- Establishing a social media marketing strategy that fit into my overall marketing strategy
- Ensuring the daily and weekly tasks fit into my schedule
I ran across a fantastic article with links to strong content that I wanted to share. 7 Ways to Overcome the Social Media Time Sink is an excellent article from Social Media Examiner, a free online magazine that accurately calls itself “Your Guide to the Social Media Jungle.”
I’ll be using some of these tips in the coming weeks to tweak my social media marketing strategy. It’s been feeling a little stale lately.
I’d love to tell you that I hit my weekly marketing goals without fail, but I don’t. For example, I didn’t publish any blog entries last week because I was busy with projects and client meetings. But that’s okay. Because if you have a plan that you consistently implement, occasionally missing a weekly goal isn’t the end of the world.
Click “Leave a comment” above to let me here your thoughts! Have a refreshing and productive day!
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Because of the interaction involved, social media marketing (SMM) can take more time than search optimization (SEO) does. Marketing Plan
By: Marketing Plan on October 2009
at 11:33 pm
Hi Michelle,
I’m glad you liked the article on Social Media Examiner. It is true: the better your knowledge of your own business goals the easier it is to find the right social media strategy and how to spend your day.
I made a mistake recently of changing the hour of the day for my social media activities. I went from first thing in the mornings to last thing late afternoons. But I can never find anything to write at the end of the afternoons. I like networking over the phone late afternoons, but not social media networking.
It’s interesting how our own personal schedule impacts social media too.
By: Cindy King on November 2009
at 2:02 am
Good point, Cindy, re: personal schedules. It took me a while to realize that my optimal time for productivity is mornings — I can get more done before noon than any other time of the day! Thanks for your thoughts and for a great article!
By: MichelleZ on November 2009
at 10:18 am