As a business owner you’ve probably asked yourself the burning question, “When should you post on social media?” Today, we’re gonna talk about it in 5 ways/questions/steps you can use to answer this question.
1 How often do your competitors post?
Look at how often your competitors post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Those are the major 3 to focus on. If video is your thing focus on YouTube. Pinterest is a different platform. If you’re B-2-B you LinkedIn needs more of your effort and attention.
2 How often are you currently posting? Are you consistent?
Look at how often you’re currently posting. If you only post once a week you should change that. If you post once a month you should probably change that. How often are you posting on youtube? Are you being consistent? Do you have a schedule?
Instagram’s Algorithm is the 8th wonder of the world.
3 Are you posting at a “norm” for each platform?
These are my opinions per platform based on my REAL LIFE experience posting for business owners.
- Facebook 1-3 times a day
- Instagram 1-3 Times per Day
- Instagram Stories Several Times a day
- Twitter Several Tweets a Day (4-8, even 10 or more)
- YouTube Once a week
- Pinterest Several Times a day
4. When is your audience looking at your content?
Look at insights to get real with yourself. Before you plan on posting 5 times, a day look at the insights to figure out when your audience is looking at your content. Find the days that are the most popular. Then look for the time that is most popular on the day.
CURE: New Goals to get consistent
If you’re currently posting once a month, let’s try once a week. Then when you start posting once a week, let’s try a few times a week. Then it will become nearly once a day.
Example, let’s focus on Instagram Stories. There’s insights for that too. Are people looking at your stories on a Sunday? Should you be making stories on that day? Let’s keep it simple silly! If not, let’s not share stories with them on Sunday.
I admit all these platforms always change their algorithms. I noticed the engagement is pretty low for Instagram. But, like I said in another episode, focus on connections. Likes and comments are cool, but connection is important.
My Own Experience
The more I post, the more people send me DMs and emails saying, “Hey I want to work with you,” and at that time I’m so busy with the client project I can’t take any more. I’m not saying I couldn’t book them for future projects, but, my current client is the type of client that says, “I kinda need the site next month. Really next week.”
So, if I already know I’m too busy then, I scale back how much I post. Why? I do this, because I already know what’s going to happen. Almost every time I send an email someone contacts me asking for help. If I post a project that’s a done deal. And this week I posted a project that I finished the prior week. And that’s a done deal.
5 What are your goals?
Take some time to think about what your goals are with Social Media. Here are some examples:
- Grow my email list
- Opt-in signups
- Get more phone calls and texts
- Get more DMs about services
- Traffic to my online store
- Views on my YouTube channel
- Traffic to my blog
That’s the biggest thing that I’m pretty sure I’ll dive deep in a future episode all about goals. That’s what we want to get to the nitty-gritty.
Look at how much you’re currently posting. You need to do more of it and figure out what’s going to be consistent for YOU. Also, what is doable for you.
How often do people post on that platform? If people only post on Instagram once or twice a day makes no sense for you to get on there and post 10 times. I’ve seen it before. How often is your audience interacting with what the heck you post? Focusing on the customer. Everything is for your potential customers. Look at your insights and be real with yourself.
If your audience is buying what you’re serving, they’re going to be looking for you in them DMs. It’s almost like you’re a drug dealer. They’re saying, “Hey, I want to work with you. When can we work? When can we have a consultation.” They’re going to be like, “When are you restocking? I’m trying to order it. How can I order it?” They’re going to be emailing and finding a way to freaking message you.
How to know when you have a good strategy?
Your customers will start leaving public comments saying:
- I’m trying to get _____ but it’s sold out
- Everytime I try to buy something on your site, everything is sold out. I’m not happy.
- When are you restocking? I want ____.
- I’m trying to book a consultation, but I don’t see any time slots available.
I know this is true, because I’ve had clients leave comments like this and I’ve left comments like this on company pages.
If you’re just starting out my rule of thumb is build momentum at your own pace. It’s unrealistic for a new business owner to post every single day.
Which strategy are you going to use?
Xo, Erica
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