How do you choose a social media network to focus on TODAY (it’s 2016 as I type this…)?
Now there’s a lot of ways to answer this question.
And if you wanted the boring answer, it would probably be to analyse each network and then see what was most suited according to your product and your offer and your audience. Or something like that, right?
But since I’m not a boring corporation, I’m not going to give you a boring answer. Instead I will give you MY answer. The answer that I feel works today – in 2016.
VIDEO SCRIPT
How to Choose a Social Media Network (Today)
Remember, that choosing a social media network in 2010 isn’t the same as choosing a network in 2016. Because in 2010 there was just Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube as the major players and that’s it!. Now you have just so many more and someone of the old ones are still there too.
So, how do you choose? How do you focus?
Why Do you Need to Focus on a Social Media Network?
Simply, because you can’t possibly be everywhere and expect results. You’ll drive yourself crazy and you’ll never get anywhere. Building an audience in the beginning is strictly a focus game. You focus on one platform and build your audience there primarily. Now this doesn’t mean that you can’t post on other platforms – you absolutely can! – but it does mean that you primarily create content for ONE type of social media network.
I talked a little bit about repurposing in a previous video (should be linked to here), and I’ll talk more about this concept in future videos, but for now, here’s what you need to know to find and focus on a social media network to build an audience.
3 Steps to Choosing a New Social Media Network
Step 1: Go where your audience hangs out
Now for some industries, this is really easy and it’s like a no-brainer. For example, if you have a crafts business and you’re a women, you’d be crazy not to be on Pinterest! I mean some demographics are just really clear and a perfect match. So the first step is to find an audience demographic match. Just do any google search for social network demographics and you’ll find charts and info like this one. This is from marketingcharts.com and it’ll give you a basic idea about audience demographics. But I want to go beyond audiences and demographic data.
Step 2: Have fun!!!
What is REALLY crucial in determining a social network to choose is the “Fun Factor”. You know I didn’t get this for years. Because I thought choosing a social network was all about being visible and making sales. And i forgot the absolutely crucial factor of social networks. It;s the word “social”. I mean being on a network and not liking it, is like being at a party and just not having fun. You need to leave and find yourself a party that you WILL enjoy being at.
same with social networks. You have to find a network that you genuinely enjoy. What’s the point if you can’t be social and have fun being social? So if you’re not having fun on Instagram or Snapchat or even Facebook, don’t think you have too stay there just because your audience is there. If you’re not having fun, your posts won’t translate and come across as relatable, and your audience will just not be engaged with you. If you’re not having fun, your audience won’t be having fun. Think of it like a party where you’re the host. If you greet people all sullen at the door, chances are they aren’t going to have fun at your party. And people….they just really wanna fun.
Step 3: Try your Chosen Network for 3 Months
Whatever network you end up choosing, you have to give it a honest-to-goodness shot for at least 3 months. Why 3?
3 is a magic number in psychology. Let me explain why. Three is found in study after study to be the perfect number of choices to give someone when you want them to make a decision. So give your network of choice 3 months. Put in the work in those 3 months. Follow someone’s advice on how to use that network. Try and do everything possible to get traction on that network. And then after 3 months, if you can’t imagine your life without it and you love it so much, you’ve found your go-to network. Otherwise, keep looking and try something new that catches your fancy.
In the comments below I want you to tell me how you choose a social network and how do you decide what to stick with and what not to stick with.
As always, if you enjoyed this video please subscribe to my YouTube channel and get on my email list to receive this free guide/checklist: 25 Free and Feel-good Ways to Authentically Promote your Content
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