How Do I Create A Social Media Publishing Schedule?

As I was posting on Facebook this morning my simple post turned into a culmination of how I advise my clients on the #1 question I receive: How do I create my social media publishing calendar?

1. Print A Calendar

2. Add IMPORTANT DATES in your Organization including product launches or service affecting dates. (Holidays, training, vacations, fun observances that apply to your business – Ex. National Donut Day if you sell donuts.)

3. Add COMMUNITY events/organizations you are involved in, are important to you or that you want to create. This include partners you support or area business you want to “share the love” with.

4. Add RECREATION or what I call “GET REAL” posts. What do you do when you are not doing what you do? (What does your team do? If I sat down with you for coffee and asked you to share about what you love outside of your business. What are your BALANCE activities?

5.Add EDUCATIONAL ideas. What people should know about your product or service, tips, hints, frequently asked questions, videos.

6.Add ADVOCACY. Be sure to share posts that demonstrate who you are, why you do what you do, what makes doing what you do worth it, what beliefs you LIVE OUT and who you live them out for. This section is NOT about being exclusive but defining your passions. Defining who and what you support develops the trust that your company fits what your client is looking for. Ex. Client was part of a raffle for a Senior Center because she LOVES supporting the Senior community. A single business can not be all to all but they can be all to some. Choose what is important to you and don’t shy away from letting people know what gets your time and attention.

7.Add MARKETING – NOTE: If you did not add any of the other items above you are NOT aloud to add Marketing. Marketing posts should be less than 1/5 of your calendar. If you haven’t taken the time to establish your right to be heard than don’t hit people in the face with your sales pitch because guess what – no matter how great the ad it will be received as a sales pitch!

8. Determine FREQUENCY. Inconsistency will kill your internet presence. Start with what you can reasonably manage.People are not looking for you to post like COCA-COLA (unless you are COCA-COLA) just be consistent with your plan. Since I know you filled in the categories above we know you have no shortage of content. Time is most likely your stumbling block as a small biz owner. So be sure to add your social media scheduling to the calendar. Your monthly calendar creation day, weekly scheduling post time (think Hootsuite to plan schedule ahead), daily social check ins and time to review reports/insights. Platform choice is unique to each business – but start simple Facebook & Twitter – your followers will start to show you where they want you to be.

9.Follow Social Media People in the Know – I suggest Social Media Examiner & Mari Smith for the most comprehensive information and up to date industry news. There are plenty of more great people these are just the 2 that I have used consistently over the last 8 years. (Advocating for people of love here! Not disrespect to all the other amazing gurus I have yet to meet!)

10.Make copies of the plan for your team and let them add!

There you have it! Now go create your calendar and get started!

Supporting Your Projects Your People & Your Passions! Kym