When companies look for someone to handle their social media, they often think about hiring someone who creates and posts content—that’s typically a social media manager. However, sometimes businesses need a little more guidance, and that’s where a social media strategist comes in.
As a social media strategist, my role involves more than just posting content. I look at your business goals, current social media presence, your team’s strengths, and what you might consider outsourcing. Then, I develop a clear plan to help your business achieve its goals online. Sometimes that also involves creating and publishing content, but the primary focus is always strategy.
A simple way to think about it is: social media strategists can manage social media, but not every social media manager focuses on strategy.
Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make on Social Media
I’ve seen a lot of small businesses struggle with their social media, and there are a few common reasons why:
- Self-Focused Content: Without a strategic plan, businesses often post what they want to say rather than what their audience wants or needs to hear.
- Inconsistency: It’s not about posting every single day; it’s about consistently delivering valuable content that builds trust and credibility.
- Unclear Goals: Many businesses approach social media without defined goals, leaving them frustrated by their perceived lack of results.
Four Key Elements of an Effective Social Media Strategy
To avoid these pitfalls, I recommend focusing on these four areas:
1. Purpose
Clearly define your business and marketing objectives. Ask yourself: What am I trying to accomplish, and why? If your goal is follower growth, know why those followers matter to your business.
2. People
Your audience should always come first. Understand who your ideal customer is and what they genuinely care about. Creating content that resonates deeply with your audience helps you build stronger connections and engagement.
3. Pillars
Establish consistent yet flexible themes for your content. These pillars help define your brand and ensure your audience knows exactly who you are and what you stand for.
4. Plan
Great content doesn’t happen by chance. Having a practical, tactical plan—batch creating content and scheduling it out—will save you time, ensure higher-quality posts, and allow you to track performance more effectively. Tools like Metricool are fantastic for content scheduling and analytics, making your life easier.
Why Work with Wildflower Social Media?
At Wildflower Social Media, we don’t just throw content up and hope for the best. We start with a detailed, custom-built strategy tailored to your unique needs. We’ll develop a roadmap and either train your team to implement it or manage it for you, depending on your preferences and budget.
But don’t just take my word for it—here’s what some of our clients have said:
Darryl McNeil:
“I can’t recommend Liz enough as a social media manager! She’s super friendly, super creative, and really knows her stuff. She’s always on top of everything and handles all the details like a pro, which makes my business so much better. Plus, she’s an absolute joy to shoot content with—always bringing great energy that makes the whole process so fun. Honestly, I’ve been getting so many positive comments about our campaigns and my social media, and I know it’s all thanks to her amazing strategy.”
Stuart Hasson:
“I haven’t had great luck with social media support in the past, so when I connected with Liz Bachmann at Wildflower Social Media, I was cautious. Their online questionnaire was quick to complete and got the ball rolling. Liz was professional, well-prepared, thorough with industry insights, and provided a clear action plan. This has been the best experience I’ve had working with a social media strategist.”
Ready to stop guessing and start strategizing? Let’s talk.