Everyone knows social media is important. That fact has been drilled into us for so long it’s become a de facto universal law of business. People are social creatures, and they have a taste for this stuff now, so ignore their new playground at your own risk. Or conversely, a social media presence can give you advantages that were previously impossible.
So we do our duty, creating content and sharing it, reaching out into new networks and new audiences. And then we pat ourselves on the back — job well done! We have checked the social media box and may now return to normal business land.
But our jobs are not finished, not by a long shot. Social media is a never-ending two-way street, and once you start the conversation, you have to participate in it. If that thought scares you, don’t be afraid!
First, if people are commenting on your content, it’s a good sign. It means people are responding to what you are doing. Provided those comments aren’t acidic, you deserve that pat on the back you gave yourself earlier.
Second, you are not alone in being wary of engaging publicly on social media. We spend a lot of time carefully crafting our messaging, making sure we present our best face forward. Commenting on social media is a fast moving, often off-the-cuff type of communication, and it can be daunting if your used to micro-managing every detail of your message.
Additionally, it can mean a lot of extra time spent on your part if the volume of comments on your content is of any significant size. You have to monitor the stream regularly, craft responses and keep up with any replies. There is a reason why Social Media Manager has become a regular position many larger businesses!
The good news is, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure you are engaging on social media in a way that induces a positive response, without having to spend too much extra time worrying about the whole thing. Stay tuned, and we’ll go through a few. Continue reading
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