Sometimes Starting is the Hardest Part
Many business owners lack the time or knowledge to focus on blogging or social media, but it can be a great tool to include in your marketing mix. Don’t be afraid to get started simply because you lack the necessary elements to begin.
When I work with a new Indianapolis social media or blogging client, I typically start by trying to find out what other marketing/sales the company is doing, and whether or not it makes sense to use a particular tactic. Then, depending on the business, I might recommend one social media site over another (such as a visual site like Pinterest for a landscape designer or LinkedIn for a B2B company).
One of the questions I’ll likely ask is: do you have someone who handles sales/marketing for the company, or is there an administrative person who could relay information to me? I would work with these individuals ongoing to develop a plan of attack, relay information from the company, and continue to generate content ideas.
The process is typically:
1) Setup and Template Design – We’ll help you set up your blog on your existing website; set up any social media sites and update graphics and profiles, or improve upon existing templates.
2) Develop a Content Calendar – We’ll generate an initial list of ideas for blog and social media posts from your marketing/sales team, customers, competitors, industry associations, etc. This is an ongoing communication stream, so the more information I receive, the better job I can do for you.
3) Start Posting – based on the frequency we establish (I recommend a min. of blogging 3x/mo and 5x/week social media posts), I’d submit a blog post for your review and post for you upon approval, then promote it on social media sites. In terms of social media, I would share original blog posts as well as those of others online, with a mix of content from various sources. I’d also help encourage new followers by following and engaging with other companies/thought leaders online.
To stay on track, we’d have periodic emails/conference calls to keep on track and update ideas list. It’s that simple! After the initial setup period, most of the work is done for you.
I customize every one of my clients’ blogging and social media programs based on the company’s needs and budget. In fact, it’s more affordable than you might think. The average social media package costs half as much as a standard advertisement in a local newspaper – for daily communication to your customers, prospects and partners.
Afraid to get started using blogging and social media to your advantage? Sometimes just getting started is all it takes. Let me know how I can help.
For further education, read some of my recent blogs on the topics of blogging and social media.