How to create a social media strategy (with template)
People tend to freak out a little when they see or hear the word ‘strategy’. It can be intimidating.
But at its heart, strategy is a simple thing, and your social media strategy should be no different.
Here’s a great definition:
A social media strategy is a planned approach to using your social media platforms effectively to achieve specific goals.
Manageable, right?
Sure, there is still some complexity, especially in coming up with the right goals, but as you’ll discover in my template, keeping the goals deliberately simple is often the best way to go.
So, how should you go about creating your strategy? What are the step to take?
The answer is that it depends (of course!). Your individual circumstances will help determine your way forward, and unfortunately there is no hack or shortcut to help you avoid the research, analysis, and many decisions you’ll make in developing your strategy.
So read through my tips below, download the template, and get started.
And if there are parts that you’re struggling with, send me an email. If I can help quickly and easily, I will.
Tips for using the template
Read through it, think about each section, do the work, and you’ll end up with a fine strategy.
Treat all sections as optional - they are prompts to consider rather than mandatory steps.
Add your own elements. There are things which will be crucial to you, but of no consequence to others. You need to uncover those, and have the confidence to weave them into your customised strategy.
Get everyone involved. If you create your strategy as a team it will not only be better, but the process itself will help you get the buy-in you need to execute later.
If you’re in the public sector you’ll want to make sure it is professional, comprehensive, and authoritative. Chances are your strategy won’t be requested by the media or the public via OIA or LGOIMA, but it might. So make sure it’s up to date and looks the part.
Don’t worry if your finished strategy is refined to the point of simplicity - in fact, that’s what you’re aiming for, as marketer Mark Ritson elegantly puts it:
“It took brains, training, complexity and intelligence to work out your strategy. So much so that it now appears to be that incredibly rare and difficult thing: simplicity. Don't worry, it's not. You made it look that way.”
Good luck.
Got any questions or comments? Email me at seamus@seamus.nz