Tag Archives: fit for social

The life cycle of the LinkedIn community

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You find me through search and check out my profile, see a comment I’ve made on someone’s post, hear about me from someone else or receive a message from me and decide I’m a good contact to have.

We follow each other’s activity on the platform. We add reactions to posts and a few comments here and there.

We learn from each other and build trust in the fact that each of us are subject matter experts and know how to solve the problems our clients face every day. We might get a coffee at some point down the line, or even collaborate on some content.

At some stage, we could work together. There was no direct pitching as we got to know each other – trust developed and it became a no-brainer.

I got a tremendous recommendation from you when we completed the project. Referrals from your friends and colleagues then began to arrive.

And we begin again…

Iron sharpens iron

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In olden times, the iron edge or blade of a tool was made sharper by working it with more iron.

The process of putting the two surfaces together delivered a change that wouldn’t happen otherwise – both pieces of iron would stay the same.

Switch this into our world today. What’s this got to do with you and I?

It’s about showing up in places where you’re not 100% confident and doing your thing anyway. 

Testing yourself against experts and learning along the way.

We grow through taking action, doing the things we find hard and that we don’t want to do.

Pushing hard through barriers and blocks (some real and some imagined) and making mistakes.

This happens all the time with people new to using Social Media and creating content. 

It’s hard to keep showing up at the beginning, feeling like we’re out of our depth and way behind everyone else.

But this is the signal that you’re in the right place. 

This is your test. You’re in the process of changing for the better.

Hang in there.

What I want a Social Media Expert to know and do in 2020

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Here’s a list that could work well as a checklist when looking to hire someone to help with Social Media for your business. 

There are a lot of people offering Social Media services because it’s a ‘hot’ sector right now. 

Businesses that traditionally don’t play in this space – web and graphic designers, for example – are adding it to their list of things they can do to help you, but beware.

Some are amazing and have tremendous skills and experience, but there are a vast number who should be avoided at all costs.

Here’s the list:

  • Their own Social Media profiles are excellent examples.
  • They show up frequently creating helpful, informative content.
  • They are not ‘post and disappear’ merchants – they engage online and do it all the time.
  • They are on the main platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (yes, Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube – and have live platforms with content posted in the last few days.
  • They do the work themselves rather than offshoring it to keep the costs down.
  • They have decent numbers of followers because they have been online and creating content for a long time. 
  • They use a mix of content – writing, video, audio and images.
  • They have excellent testimonials and recommendations (Facebook, LinkedIn and Google especially)
  • They value their skills and charge appropriately. (If prices seem cheap, the services usually are, too.)
  • They don’t claim to know ‘everything’ on any specific subject.
  • They can help to identify ideal clients and position brands the right way.
  • They know the difference between a blog and a website. 
  • They know how to listen online and spot key trends.
  • They understand how to interpret data and use it to improve results, especially on websites and working with written copy.
  • They have basic how-to knowledge as well as strategic ability.
  • They’re not afraid to make public predictions about where Social Media is going.

I’m sure there are more things but this is a good plcae to start.

Please use this list as a guide and add to it wherever you like. Also, let me know where you think I may be wrong and leave a comment. Thank you!