How to Get Started on Social Media

Whether you’ve been purposely avoiding social media or just haven’t had time to do it, you need to start connecting today.  Having an active social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , Google+ or Pinterest can help to grow your wedding business- brides and grooms expect to find you on at least one social media platform.  Being active and engaging with clients there provides ‘social proof’ that others value your work, drives new leads to your business and reinforces your brand.

So, how do you get started when you have no idea where to begin?

Social Media Examiner’s Absolute Beginners Guide to Social Media is a great resource, with tips to get you through the most difficult parts.

Below are my favorite 3 tips and how they can relate to your wedding business (check out the full article for even more help.)

1) Start Slow and Know Your Goals

If you try to go from 0 to 60, you’ll end up with social media burnout. Just pick one platform to use first, master it and then add more from there. Which one should you use first? You’ll want to consider a few things:

• Which would be easiest for you to use? If you are on Facebook already, adding it for business won’t be too hard.
• Where are your clients and prospects hanging out? If you know your brides are using Pinterest, then you’ll want to be there as well.
• What is your main goal? If it is networking with influencers and other wedding pros then you might consider Twitter first.

2) Brand Your Profile

Make sure to brand your social media profiles as this is how people will connect with you in the online space. Make it as friendly and welcoming as you would in person. Here are some things to do:

• Use good photos. Make sure you use a professional, smiling photo of yourself in your profile picture and create cover images that connect with your brand.
• Fill the profile out completely. Don’t be tempted to skip over this section. Make the most of the space given by letting people know who you are and what you do.
• Tell people how to connect with you. Some platforms allow you to place links in your profile- make sure to add links to your website, blog or other social accounts to allow others to find you there.

3) Connect and Build Relationships

Being on social media doesn’t mean promoting your business with every post. You want to form relationships, connect with others and truly be a part of your online community. Here are some ways to do this:

• Like and Share Other’s Content. Support other local wedding pros by taking the time to like and share their posts and images of their work, especially if it is someone you hope to work with. You’ll get on their radar and it will make connecting in person easier.
• Join Groups. You’ll find networking groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. Take the time to explore and contribute advice and thoughtful responses.
• Provide Useful Content. While you’ll want to share your work occasionally, your posts should also consist of helpful advice for prospective clients. Show your expertise by providing resources and tips that others can share.

If you are reading this and thinking ‘I don’t have time to keep up with social media!’ make sure you check out scheduling tools like Hootsuite and Buffer. These online tools can make your life easier by auto-posting your updates at pre-scheduled times. Take an hour on a Sunday to pre-write some tweets and Facebook posts, load them up and you’ll be set for the week!

So, what social media platform are you going to tackle first?

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