Today, we posted a recording of our ASK AMY & BRIAN vlog and podcast focusing on using social media.  Many businesses large and small have went through the process of calibrating and recalibrating their use of social media.  We are not any different and we do the same processes for ourselves in addition to doing that with our clients.  We are very focused on sharing information to help ignite you in being a stronger business, nonprofit, etc.   We are also very focused on making this process not chaotic or painful.  It "should" also have a "fun" factor.  

In addition, I thought a little follow up would be helpful with some action items and things to think about.  Here is a conversational TO DO list that is really more about thinking through HOW you do things and your fit.  Rather than a step by step list, we instead want you to think, observe, and assess.  What things are you doing, doing well, or could do better...that's all.  Start by being aware and begin to set the stage for wrapping up the end of this year in a strong manner and launching into the next year even stronger with your social presence.  You can listen; you can watch; or you can read...Just get started!

• Find your mix of organic and paid ads.  Every organization has their own recipe and it should start with organic and then grow from there.  It will yield more of the needed demographic and psychographic data for a well targeted paid ad.
• Content, content, content...and package it in your own style!  Engage the senses with graphics, sound, and video while also incorporating your brand.  
• Two strategic approaches exist:  you can go broad and find what sticks and then target the platform with the best fit OR you can pick one that seems to be the best fit and hone your skills on that in order to inform HOW you will expand.  We advocate for the latter and focus on quality.
• Assess your engagement...what do you DO on social media?  Remember that engagement is two way and it takes time and attention.  
• Authentic engagement is your biggest advantage and attraction.  Promote in a real way!
• Learn how the system works and then design your mix.  
• Give credit and show support.  Remember the rules of not copying, plagiarizing, and "sampling" people's work.  As a creative person, it is frustrating to see things taken without permission.  Always give kudos and credit and do it in a way of respecting the creative and intellectual work that went into it.  Just because you can copy does NOT mean that you should.
• Educate your current customers - share your story as that is your most important and valuable content to create shared understanding and loyalty.  Then build your community like a neighborhood using online groups, pages, hashtags, and so on.  
• Ask yourself what your needs and goals are on social...and then, ask your audience what they want as well.  Data and analytics will help you zero in as well.  Remember likes and shares are only a part of engagement, you can also design HOW you want to assess things and how you measure success...and there are a lot of data points to explore.
• Lastly....and most importantly...BE POSITIVE!  The fun is in being real and celebrating, supporting, showing gratitude, sharing knowledge, giving kudos, and so on ARE FUN!  And, in a world that is complicated...this is simple.

Our major take-aways are simple too...just explore the following:  INTERACT/ENGAGEMENT, ADDING VALUE,  ASSESSING REACH/DEPTH, BUILD STRATEGY, AND HAVE FUN!

Check out a spreadsheet for planning and tracking AND the follow up video.  Enjoy!
​