I am constantly surprised by how many differences of opinion there are when it comes to doing something right the first time around. The argument I hear all the time is that it’s better to just get something out, and then learn from it if it fails. I heard someone say the term ‘fail forward’, and the goal is to ‘fail forward faster’ than everyone else.
Now, maybe I am a perfectionist, but it seems like just ‘getting something out there’ isn’t the right approach, especially when it comes to doing social media for your business. Sure, there are times when waiting longer will hurt you, even if your product isn’t perfect, but that’s rare. If everyone took the extra time to do it right the first time, not only would it help them start off stronger, but it would also same them time in the long run.
If you are not doing social media for your business, or are just getting started, here are three ways to do it right the first time.
Get a professional headshot and logo
I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a professional headshot on social media. This is often the only image that people will see of you. It’s their first impression. If it’s a picture of you in a baseball hat at the beach, it’s probably not conveying the right message. There are plenty of professional photographers who will produce a quality headshot for not more than $100-$200.
The same goes for your logo. Get a professional to design a logo for you. You will have a clean, clear, high resolution logo to put wherever you need it. If you are looking to get one on the cheap, check out fiverr, where you can find a designer for $5.
Be Consistent on All Channels
Make sure that all of your social media channels have the same look and voice. Use the same headshot on all your channels and use the same copy for the ‘about’ section in each. Obviously there will be tweaks depending on the channel, like your Twitter bio only being 140 characters, but overall, each channel should look and feel similar. This will help you be more recognizable on social media.
Start and Don’t Stop
Once you start using social media for your business, don’t stop. If you take the time and energy to build a community of fans and followers, you have earned their trust. If you stop updating your page and engaging, then you will lose that trust, which could hurt you worse than if you never started at all. Which brings me back to my original point – do it right the first time. If you just go out and start without a plan and think you will figure it out later, you are setting yourself up to hurt yourself – and your brand. So take some time, figure out a strategy, brand and voice for your business. Once you do start, you will be happy you did.
To stay up to date on all social media news, join us on Facebook.
