My social media process is always evolving and it has come a long way.
I am constantly evaluating what is working, what isn’t, and where I can streamline my system or create processes. This is necessary for any business owner who is on social media.
Depending on the talent you have working for you, the depth of the process, and the ever-changing algorithms, things that worked last year probably won’t work this year.
I’m sharing how my process has evolved, along with how some other leading social media ladies streamline their processes. You are going to see many different ways to do this, proving there’s no one right way.
It’s important to figure out what works best for you!
How Streamlining My Social Media Has Evolved
In the early days, I was publishing two blogs a week. I simply started answering all of your questions and followed the Big 5 Formula for the most important keywords that I wanted to rank for.
In the Beginning
I’d meet with my local virtual assistant at the time and tell her the topics I wanted to write along with a verbal outline that she typed out. I would talk about the points with her and then she’d massage them out.
To complete it, she’d follow my instructions on SEO — which was basically to get the Yoast plugin all green, add pictures, and schedule it to post.
As things evolved, I backed off to one blog a week, then two a month.
We answered so many questions and published about 300 blog posts together but I felt like I needed to take the foot off the gas. I felt like we were reactively producing content instead of strategically.
During this time, my friend Mike Alton published this awesome article, “How To Create 26 Pieces of Content From a Facebook Live”. I instantly created a spreadsheet because I wanted to do all the things but quickly realized that it would be tough to delegate.
Instead, I selected some of the things and focused on those.
What Our Social Media Process Looks Like
We created a streamlined process where every blog had a list of things that needed to be complete like:
- Featured image
- All images having proper alt tags
- Yoast being all green
- Checking how to show up on social media
- Adding links back to the rest of the website
- Breaking up paragraphs
- Creating the graphics
- And lots of other little things
We also created a process for our Facebook Lives that included things like:
- Get captions from Rev.com
- Create the title and description that will show up on Google
- Trim the beginning of the video if needed
- Boost post after 24-48 hours to certain audiences
It all came down to getting a specific process written out that anyone could follow.
3 Tools That Kelly Noble Mirabella Can’t Live Without to Streamline Her Social Media
There are many ways to streamline processes, so let’s take a look at what Kelly Noble Mirabella, the official trainer for Many Chat, uses as her top three tools to help streamline her social media efforts.
Here’s what Kelly had to say…
As someone who has spent 12 years of her life in social media marketing, I have seen the importance of having a good foundation in processes.
The right processes can save you time, help you be more consistent, and provide better content and services for your followers, prospects, and clients.
I have a lot of tools that I use to help me stay on top of the various activities I am always participating in, but when it comes to social media processes there are 3 main tools I can’t live without:
- Google calendar
- Trello
- AgoraPulse
Let’s explore these a little more!
1. Google Calendar
As a busy entrepreneur and mother of two young children, I live by the calendar.
If it is not on my calendar it simply does not happen.
In terms of social media processes, I use my Google calendar to schedule out blocks of time where I work on content development and research. This ensures, much like my time at the gym, that I make time to do the task at hand.
I even take it a step further and have calendars and shared calendars for all the pieces of my life.
2. Trello
I create a LOT of content.
From the social media posts that I create for clients, to the YouTube videos, blogs, and social posts I create for myself.
I am ALWAYS creating.
Trello is the perfect place for me to stay organized in my content and ideas. Generally speaking, I use Trello for three main reasons:
- Streamline: I am able to layout ideas and organize those ideas into various content blocks and categories and visually see everything that I have bouncing around in my head. I use Trello for storyboarding for every new client strategy, large scale project launches like courses and new podcast concepts, as well as capturing all my content ideas for future podcast episodes, videos and the like. As a visual person, this process is super important.
- To-Do: I use my Trello board as a todo list for content creation. I will take a content piece from idea to in process to completed and in many chases to posted in my Trello board.
- Collaboration: Trello can be integrated with “Power-Ups” which allow you to add integrations like Asana, Google Calendar, Appear.in, Evernote, and so many more to help you collaborate with clients, teams, or other businesses.
I use Trello to collaborate with Bella about a podcast idea we have been considering. It is a great way to have everyone stay organized and on the same page.
3. AgoraPulse
AgoraPulse is my secret weapon in tackling my social media and coming off as a total rockstar. In fact, if I could only choose one tool out of the three mentioned, AgoraPulse would be the one I keep.
Most people know of AgoraPulse as a social media content scheduling tool, but it is SO much more.
Under the obvious uses of AgoraPulse lies even greater tools to help you stay organized and running like a well-oiled machine.
While social media scheduling helps me effectively batch and manage my social media content, and the brand monitoring lets me stay up on when people are talking about me online, and the reports keep me on track, it is the inbox zero that I love the most.
Inbox zero is basically an inbox for each of your social channels that includes a section for your Private messages that are coming in, as well as mentions and comments you can respond to.
All in one handy place.
I am able to jump in, answer questions, give great customer service and impress the pants off of people in WAY less time than I was able to before I discovered the wonders of AgoraPulse.
As a YouTube creator, this has been an invaluable tool as YouTube does not make it easy to track comments and replies to my videos. The other day I was able to go in and knock out 15 comments in 5 minutes thanks to AgoraPulse.
The important thing is when you are trying to manage your business, your clients, and social media you need good processes. Otherwise, you are like a clown juggling too many balls…One is bound to fall.
Here is How Jen Cole From Depict Media Streamlines Their Clients Social Media
Jen Cole is the co-owner of Depict Media, a company that helps businesses with their social media management.
Jen thought the most important programs are:
- Google Drive
- Canva
- AgoraPulse
Here’s what Jen had to say about these…
1. Google Drive
After meeting with the client and understanding their who, what, when, where, and why, we are then able to develop a content plan, which we usually do via shared Google Drive.
This way, the client has immediate access to everything that is being planned for them, and they can include any edits/comments that they have in the process.
(Side note, this is how we deliver Better Marketing with Bella, too!)
2. Canva
When it comes to event imagery, we appreciate the ease and consistency of Canva.
This tool is amazing because it allows us to nail down and keep a recognizable, branded aesthetic for the entire strategy. We’re specifically enjoying the new animated files that Canva has available. They add that little bit of eye-catching personality and let’s face it, video content is very hot!
After batch-creating images/creative files for our clients, we then work on captioning each piece.
These captions are kept on a shared Google Doc, where clients can see the image/file that we are planning to use with the corresponding caption. This allows them to give feedback/approve content before we put it into our scheduling tool, AgoraPulse.
3. AgoraPulse
AgoraPulse is wonderful for scheduling content because you can create hashtag lists to attach to Instagram posts, you can edit posts before they go out, you get a clear preview of what the post will look like once it’s posted on your social channels, and it’s quite frankly user-friendly.
We create/schedule posts a week at a time for our clients.
After we put everything into Agorapulse to be scheduled, we also time block daily monitoring times to stay on top of questions, comments, and messages that are left on each social media channel.
We are able to monitor and respond to all of these things from within the AgoraPulse tool, which really helps simplify the entire process.
Having a solid system in place truly helps to make it all happen the right way!
How A Processes Expert Streamlines Her Social Media Efforts
Liz Illg is a system and process expert who has helped a dozen pet sitters get their business on paper just this summer alone.
She is a ninja when it comes to this stuff and here is what Liz had to say about the best way to streamline social media processes…
In today’s digital world, having a social media presence is not something you should do…it’s something every business needs.
Of course, with so many platforms to choose from, it can be quite overwhelming!
The key is knowing how to streamline your social media efforts so that you can focus on the bigger picture items for your business. Building out a process for creating content of your own will have a huge impact on your overall business.
Below are some helpful tips and tricks to get started:
- Create a content calendar
- Implement themes
- Use scheduling applications
And make sure to have fun with it!
1. Create a Content Calendar
I know what you’re thinking — who has the time to create a content calendar when I’m just trying to keep track of what day it is!?
However, creating a content calendar doesn’t have to be difficult; while it will take some time initially, it’ll totally be worth it!
The key is to decide how you’ll actually create the ‘calendar.’
I suggest using something as simple as a ‘Sheets’ document in Google Drive.
Then, figure out where you plan to post your content:
- Will this content be posted on a blog?
- Across various social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook?
- Will you be posting photos on Instagram?
Knowing this in advance will save tons of time and effort!
Next, it’s time to actually FILL that calendar!
This is where the next tip comes in…
2. Implement Themes
Having themed content will help you to not only stay on track, but it’ll further engage your audience as well.
For example, if you own a pet business and it’s National Pet Safety Month, then create blog topics and posts relating to that. Of course, there are tons of other topics to post about.
You can share an industry statistic that your audience would be interested in learning about. Or post about what inspired you to start your business!
Highlight members of your team, promote an upcoming new product or service, and share photos of your workspace! People are often curious about how people set up their workspaces.
You can also post important tidbits from your company’s mission statement and core values.
3. Use Scheduling Applications
One of the easiest ways to streamline your social media efforts is to implement scheduling applications to help you out!
Worried you’re going to forget to post every day or simply don’t have the time to do so?
There’s an app for that!
From Hootsuite and Loomly to Buffer, TweetDeck, and more — you can input content ahead of time and schedule specific times and dates you’d like to post!
Scheduling applications are perfect for those who have ideas but keep forgetting to post until it’s so late in the day there’s no point.
And remember…
Consistency is KEY!
If you’re going to use various social media platforms for your business, you must be consistent about it! From your brand messaging and profile photos to the number of times you post, etc.
There are plenty of factors to consider.
How a Top-Notch Graphics Designer and Software Founder Streamlines Her Process With Templates and Batches
Meet Annette.
She is the founder of Easil, one of the most incredible design tools out there that almost anyone can do. She is able to produce so much high-quality content that I needed to get the ways that she streamlines.
Here’s what she had to say…
Do you want to say goodbye to the stress of coming up with visual content weekly or daily? Creating effective, creative graphics isn’t just limited to professional graphic designers!
By implementing the following 3 tips into your content planning, you’ll save hours every week:
- Use templates
- Reuse and repurpose
- Batch your visual content creation
Let’s explore these in a little more detail!
1. Use Templates
Get a headstart on creating graphics by using a professionally designed template from a DIY Design Tool.
Using a template that has the foundations in place, and then customizing using your own fonts, colors and images can cut your creative time by half — or more!
As an extra benefit, if you’re design-challenged, your designs will also look more professional than if you started from scratch!
Hot tip: Browse through the template library each month and jot down templates that you like. This way you will have a starting point for the next month when you batch create!
2. Reuse and Repurpose
Maximize your reach by creating and scheduling different versions and sizes of your graphics.
Ensure your primary social network or content requirement is covered first, and then resize your graphics to use on other social media sites.
Keep in mind that square graphics can be used on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. A portrait version can be used for Pinterest, as well as stories on both Instagram and Facebook.
Pinterest loves fresh content, so while you’re in design mode and creating a Pin for your blog — make more than 1 version!
Change up the colors, fonts, and imagery so you have several versions on hand, and then schedule with a tool like Tailwind to plan out the variations to post over time.
Hot tip: With Easil, you can save your designs as Templates to easily reuse over time, or to share with your teammates.
3. Batch Your Visual Content Creation
Most importantly, do both of the above steps in batches!
Preferably monthly.
Put aside some time to learn the ins and outs of your design tool, and take advantage of features that can quickly lift your graphics from basic to scroll-stopping!
On your scheduled visual content creation day, aim to create all the memes, social posts, testimonials, quotes and promotions in one hit. Select suitable templates to apply to your content themes, modify the templates, and apply elements of your brand to them, where applicable.
Hot tip: Store your brand colors, fonts and assets in your DIY Design Tool so you can easily access them. Easil provides Brand Kit functionality that also allows you to share these assets, plus images, with teammates!
Once you have your graphics and content planned ahead for the month, you’ll find that fitting in the odd ad-hoc ‘of the moment’ post will actually be enjoyable!
Have The Strategy and Planning Taken Care Of For You!
Another stellar option is to hire someone you trust to produce content that can streamline your social media process for you. But it’s important that you look for someone who:
- Uniquely understands your business and this industry
- Understands how fast social media is changing and what is coming with the changes and when
- Knows which types of content perform the best on social media at this current time so your business can benefit
- Knows how to create engaging captions and content and when to post it
This might sound like a tall order and just trying to find the right person and not get burnt can take a long time. You are not a social media expert. You might not have the creativity or brainpower to think of, build, and execute all of this and I totally get it.
That’s why Better Marketing with Bella has taken care of all of this and the doors open soon.
Here is what you could get every single month to help streamline your social media process:
- Graphics
- Emails
- Vertical videos
- Square videos
- Cover videos
- Gifs
- IG stories
- FB Stories
- Captions
- Learning Center
You also receive 4 group zoom coaching sessions and one 1:1 coaching call with Bella.
Conclusion
Processes look different for everyone.
So, hopefully, you have seen that there are many ways to approach social media, but the most important thing IS TO HAVE A SYSTEM.
If you don’t, it just becomes an afterthought and it will not have consistency, good messaging, and visual appeal. It takes strategy and planning.
The good news is that you can batch this so you don’t have to deal with it every day. The only thing you really need to do is engage when people who engage with your posts.
Simple enough, right?
