Is it just me or does it feel like life is moving a million miles a minute!? 7 days a week, it’s go go go…work to be done, meals to be cooked, houses to be cleaned. No one has time anymore for any “extras”. That means no time to blog, no time to submit your work for press features, and definitely no time for personal errands! One thing business owners do need to make time for is social media. I know, it’s crazy to think that it’s essential for businesses to be on Instagram scrolling through pretty pictures, but it’s a fact! Why?These social platforms are where creative businesses are able to reach their core customer and connect with media within minutes (if you’re utilizing it right!).
Here’s 5 ways to use social media in 5 minutes to change your business:
1. Find two times in your day that you can spare 5 minutes to hop on Instagram and Twitter. For me, that time is in the morning and in the evening (after my baby is in bed). I find that being in the office or out at meetings, the days tend to get too busy to be on social- you know how easy it is to get lost in the photos and comments! It tends to be distracting and takes your focus away from your clients. This is why committing to a couple minutes before and after “work hours” can help you stay engaged in social media while keeping your priorities.
2. Upload a photo one of the two times you are on Instagram that day. Maybe it was one you took yesterday or this past weekend that you didn’t get to post it. Maybe you took it earlier in the day and are just getting around to it. Or maybe it’s a even favorite photograph you have had for awhile and you have been saving to post. Get on, post it! (Don’t forget that if you’re posting any other company’s work to give them photo credit by mentioning them in your comment and tagging them!)
3. Scroll through the photos in your feed and comment and like! This will help to build relationships with the other vendors you follow. You’d be surprised how many business relationships have started as virtual friendships! Only spend two minutes or less on this and then GET OFF INSTAGRAM!!
4. Hop on Twitter and scroll through your feed. Reply, share, and retweet any content you feel is relevant to your business. Again, only spend a few minutes and then hop off!
5. For Facebook, there are multiple sites that allow you to schedule your posts in advance for the week (you can actually even schedule directly through Facebook!). This way you don’t have to worry about spending time every day you want to post! Pick one day, spend five minutes, and get your entire week scheduled!
Committing to two times a day on social media helps you to not get inundated with scrolling through so much content. Don’t let Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook be a time suck! Be short, sweet, and effective and move on with your day!
Products in photo provided by: Sugar Paper (polka dot notebook), B is for Bonnie (striped notebook and heart print) and Target (gold scissors)
