Creating a social media plan doesn’t have to be a herculean effort. Asking some simple questions can help you build a basic social media plan that will set you up for success. Can it really be that simple? Yes, I believe it can. And, I’ll show you how it works. All it takes is five simple steps to get your social media efforts started off on the right foot.

1. CREATE A SIMPLE
SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN
A 5 STEP GUIDE

2. Journalists are taught to ask 5
simple questions to build the
framework for every story.

3. You’ve probably heard
of these questions — the 5 Ws.

4. The
5 Ws
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?

5. The
5 Ws
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?

6. The
5 Ws
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?

7. The
5 Ws
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?

8. The
5 Ws
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?

9. You can also use the 5 Ws to
build a foundation for a simple
social media plan.

10. That’s what we’re here
to teach you today.

11. 1
Why do you want to use
social media for your business?

12. If you want to be successful
on social media

13. you have to have a crystal clear picture of what
you want to accomplish for your brand.

14. Not sure what I mean?

15. Here are some ways social media
can help your business:

16. Here are some ways social media
can help your business:
Awareness

17. Here are some ways social media
can help your business:
Awareness Leads

18. Here are some ways social media
can help your business:
Awareness Leads Sales

19. Here are some ways social media
can help your business:
Awareness Leads Sales
Customer
Service

20. Here are some ways social media
can help your business:
Awareness Leads Sales
Customer
Service
Brand
Loyalty

21. Determining your key objectives
will help you focus your overall efforts

22. and help you build a social media strategy
to help get you there.

23. 2
Who are you trying to reach?

24. Once you’ve determined why you
want to use social media

25. you can focus on identifying who
your key audience is for your efforts.

26. For instance…

27. If you want to use social
media to increase loyalty

28. your audience will be focused on
existing customers.

29. If you want to generate
awareness for your brand

30. your audience will be focused on
prospects, brand partners and journalists.

31. 3
What does your audience want?

32. Understanding your audience’s needs

33. will help you create content they can’t wait to devour.

34. Prospective customers
might want to know
how to solve a problem.

35. Your loyal fans may be
looking for unique ways
to use your product or service.

36. The key to uncovering
your audience’s needs?

37. Spending the time listening and talking
to prospects on social media.

38. The more you know about
your audience

39. the easier it will be to develop content
that’s relevant, entertaining and informative.

40. 4
Where does your audience
hang out online?

41. Companies often START with
social media platforms.

42. But it’s better to decide on platforms
AFTER you’ve determined your
goals and target audience.

43. Now that you’ve done that, you can
focus on discovering where
your audience hangs out online.

44. It’s the key to deciding on the 1-2 platforms
that will have the most impact for your brand.

45. How do you do this?

46. How do you do this?
Ask. Listen. Look.

47. Ask.
Ask your customers

48. Ask.
Ask your customers
Which social networks do
they use most?

49. Ask.
Ask your customers
Which social networks do
they use most?
Which networks do they
use to make buying decisions?

50. Listen.
Listen on social media

51. Listen.
Listen on social media
Where are people talking about
your brand?

52. Listen.
Listen on social media
Where are people talking about
your brand?
Where are they talking about
your competitors?

53. Listen.
Listen on social media
Where are people talking about
your brand?
Where are they talking about
your competitors?

54. Look.
Look at research

55. Look.
Look at research
Look at studies on how your
audience use social media.

56. 5
When do they want to
hear from you?

57. There’s no universal “magic” time
to post on social media.

58. Instead, focus on when your audience
wants to hear from you.

59. Targeting B2B prospects
or C-level executives?

60. You might find that
9-5 works best.

61. Focusing on busy moms?

62. They might be
online more at night
once the kids are asleep.

63. Getting to know your audience will
help you share content when
they’re most likely to see it.

64. Okay, let’s recap

65. 5 Steps to a Simple Social Media Plan
1 Why do you want to use
social media for your business?

66. 5 Steps to a Simple Social Media Plan
1 Why do you want to use
social media for your business?
2 Who are you trying to reach?

67. 5 Steps to a Simple Social Media Plan
1 Why do you want to use
social media for your business?
2 Who are you trying to reach?
3 What does your audience want?

68. 5 Steps to a Simple Social Media Plan
1 Why do you want to use
social media for your business?
2 Who are you trying to reach?
3 What does your audience want?
4 Where does your audience hang out online?

69. 5 Steps to a Simple Social Media Plan
1 Why do you want to use
social media for your business?
2 Who are you trying to reach?
3 What does your audience want?
4 Where does your audience hang out online?
5 When do they want to hear from you?

70. Answering these questions is a good
starting point that will help you build the
foundation for your social media efforts.

71. Like this SlideShare?
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72. Stuck with your social media efforts? We can help.
Drop us a line to get the conversation started.
Connect with us online:
flybluekite.com
@flybluekite
L
info@flybluekite.com

73. Credits
Design by
Sarah Mason @ Uncommonly Social
L@sarahsmason
Flickr Images
Binoculars by hyku
Audience by Brett Sayer
Chossy2 by Nick Weinrauch
Megaphon by floeschie
BXP135660 by tableatny
Front row by JD Lasica