So you want to dive into the use of social media for your organization? But where do you start? It’s easy to get sucked into the “sparkliness” of all of the tools, sites and widgets floating around on the web. But, the whole notion can become overwhelming very quickly. How do you know what’s right for your business goals?
When GoodDogz.org ventured down this path, my inclination was to use it all. Did the tools have to make sense for us? No. I had that “if you build it, they will come” mentality and assumed that more was better. Boy, was I wrong.
I can admit that it’s hard to live by your own rules. I have advised client after client to have a strategy – a plan. But when it came to my own organization – I wanted it all and I wanted it now. So, I had to take a step back, take a deep breath and think. What in the heck are we using these tools for? And that was they key that opened the door to a wonderful new website with effective social media properties.
You have to keep it simple, particularly when you are just starting out. Assess your organizational goals and research what tools will help you reach those goals. Realize that not every tool is effective and not all effective tools will work for you.
Once you have a list of tools that you feel will meet your needs, do a little research. There are many, many accessible social media professionals that can help you figure out which tools meet your strategic goals. Also, see what other organizations in your industry are doing. What’s been successful for them. I firmly believe that social media has leveled the playing field for non-profits and often review what the “big guys” are doing. Learning from the successes/mistakes of others will save you a lot of time and heartache.
Be sure that you have a marketing plan to compliment your new tools. Just because you build it, doesn’t mean that users will be knocking down your door. Have a strategy for how you plan to reach your user base. Get them excited about your new offerings. Remember – their engagement is your success.
And once you have your cool, new tools in place, engage your audience. Without your participation, the excitement and involvement will dwindle.
