Start doing social media they said. It will be entertaining they said. It will bring us lots of benefits they said. It will be easy they said.

The fact is social media is not free. It needs our biggest asset which is TIME!!!

Managing social media is NOT the purpose. Posting MORE content to the already boisterous digital world is NOT the goal. Your clients and audiences are not abiding on the edge of their virtual seats excited for you to post yet another link to your post.

Instead of customers and business decision-makers, today are eager for a relationship. They want expertise. They want value. They want you to gain their trust. And once you make it, it's up to you to get business and their loyalty.

We work with businesses of all shapes and sizes from small entrepreneurs to top 10 brands. We assist them to blend new media and social technologies fused with traditional and digital marketing to achieve proscribed business goals and objectives. We are observing a pattern of behavior across companies- big and small that is concerning.

Marketing managers work for months to a year or more to finally receive approval for finance into their proposed social media and digital marketing plan.

It's normally (probably) approved with an expectation of the following (at least):

● Adjusted to top business purposes where it can have a convincing impact on results.

● Analysis system - including important performance indicators.

● Measurable aims and goals.

● Governance with a balance of risk supervision and employee empowerment.

● The social employee empowerment program is the whole of training.

● Focus on the audience. Acknowledgment- it may take further research to a better experience, encourage and connect with the audience.

● Brand humanization approach and strategy.

● Content marketing strategy and plan.

● Distribution strategy and approach.

● Website, blog, and other recognized online asset plan and strategy.

● Influencer outreach and engagement tactics and plan.

● Social platform choice and prioritization based upon audience analysis and company goals.

● Commitment to providing the tremendous value- potential to all audience members, customers, partners, and the broader ecosystem.

● Community growth strategy and plan are inclusive of social listening and engagement.

● Integration with organizations. Includes adjusting and managing with other departments, integrating social where it can have the highest impact. This often includes marketing, sales, customer service, human resources for starters.

● And the list goes on….