By Les Robinson FEATURE STORY
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Choosing the right social media platform: A SIMPLE CHECKLIST
nowing which social media platform to focus your efforts on can be a daunting task. Once you get comfortable with one platform, the next big thing in social media pops up.
In this series on "Social Media," we've
taken close-up looks at four social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs. All of these platforms can provide important connections to current and future customers. Realistically, you may not have the resources to adequately manage all four platforms at the same time. In fact, focusing on one platform and building upon that may be the best way to take a slow and steady approach. Following is a simple five-point checklist to help you decide where to start your social media efforts: 1) What are your business goals? • Social media should not be your entire marketing
plan, but a supplement to the overall plan to meet your business goals. Evaluate how social media fits into helping you meet your goals and objectives. 2) What platform is your audience already using? • You'll want to focus your initial efforts where your
customers are. By building a base with those already familiar with you and/or the products you sell, they will become advocates for you in social media. 3) Which platforms do you understand best, and which ones will take some additional learning? • If you have your own Facebook profile, you're already
familiar with the platform and its functionality. This is key in launching your social media efforts with this platform because you understand it. By the same token, you may be interested in Twitter, but don't fully understand how it works. Start with what you know.
In the vast, ever-changing world of social media, it's important to focus your efforts in the places you're going to get the most return.
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