While the country begins to wind down for the six week Summer holiday break here in the UK, Social Media Marketers are frantically beavering away to make sure their clients’ social media profiles are not on holiday.
Photography by Caz Saramowicz
Here are my 8 Top Tips to keep things ticking over:
Understand how your audience will be using social media. Which platform would be best to focus on with less time on your hands.
Plan and schedule you social media posts in advance. Schedulers are great to be able to plan and post automatically while you’re away. Either use platforms native to the platform you’re using or third-party tools such as Later, Sprout Social, Buffer, Hootsuite or Agorapulse for example.
Prepare your customers in advance that you will be away to manage expectations. Update your website, social media platforms, Google Business Profile page and other automated responses with your opening times.
Update your website information for customers to still refer to with summer deals, discounts or topical blogs for this time of year.
If you do choose to check in over the holidays, use that time to check in with your audience, like, follow, comment and engage with their content as well brands and partners you love
Use more video on the go - Stories, Reels, Lives, TikTok videos are quick, easy and fun to make. They don’t need to be polished and can show your audience a different side to your brand personality.
Use this time to think about new, creative and innovative ways to connect with your audience. The next phase of the year offers a change of season and a very quick countdown to Christmas. Review the content you’ve previously posted, how can you breathe new life into your images, videos, tone of voice and branding.
Turn off notifications on your phone and genuinely unplug.
Actually take time off! You deserve it. I try to only post after my holiday has finished, so I’m fully present while we’re on a break.
When you're ready to return, perhaps start with a few snapshots or highlights from your break and ease your way back online.
Truly unplugging from social media is the only way to get a genuine rest. Not to mention the pressure to share on social media takes you out of the moment. Set your own boundaries. Try and stay present rather than stressing about what filter to use.
“A boundary is not that at which something stops, but that from which something begins” - Martin Heidegger.
Need some help with planning content on your return to the office? I’m freeing spaces during September for power hours, so let’s get you sorted.
“Last year I felt that my social media was lacking. I booked a power hour. It was the best thing. I got an individualised breakdown assessing my Facebook Business Page. I was so impressed with Yolanda’s detailed information. What was even more thorough was the inclusive and accessible feedback.
Five stars from me!”