Winning the Social Media Marathon

When I meet with a company to discuss social media, one of the first questions I ask is “Why social media?” And surprisingly, it’s often the one question that has’nt been tossed around.

Sure, they’ve talked about whether they should launch a Facebook page, who should blog on Mondays and who should blog on Thursdays, but when asked why they’re jumping on board the social media train, I get the feeling (and maybe it’s just me sayin’ here…) that they’re diving into social media because they’ve heard that it’s the thing to do.

And they’d be right. Kind of.

Yes, everyone’s “doing it,” but that’s not a reason you should do it. Not that reason alone.

Ready, set, go

Social media marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires commitment, persistence, and plenty of patience. And, like a marathon, it’s important to prepare for the race–train, and build up the endurance you’ll need to succeed.

So, before you dive in and start tweeting, find out where your audience is hanging out. Peek in on what your competitors are doing. Listen. Survey the landscape. See what topics they’re engaged in. When you start sharing your message, you want to be sure it’s something they care about.

Then, create a roadmap for your social media. Include mile markers to keep you on track, and pace yourself.

Once you’ve set your goals, mapped out a plan of engagement, and created your editorial calendar, it’s time to line up and join in–start connecting with your customers.

Remember, slow and steady wins the race. It will take time to grow your network, but if you don’t start, you can’t win.

How are you running your marathon?  Are you at the starting line? Or are you pulling ahead of your competition?

Do you have social media questions? Follow me on Twitter, LIKE me on Facebook, or connect with me on LinkedIn. I’d love to meet you!