Surviving Social Media: A Guide for the Overwhelmed

Social media—love it or hate it, it’s everywhere. It's become a significant tool for people to stay informed about news, trends, sports, and even to decide which businesses are worth their time. So, maintaining an active social media presence with consistent, relevant content? Yeah, it's pretty much non-negotiable at this point. Whether we like it or not, social media is here to stay, and you’ve got to play the game if you want to win.

Social media connects people across the country and the world. It’s your source for finding out what’s happening in your neighborhood or figuring out if that new restaurant is really worth it (shout out to food bloggers and influencers). The internet has turned our entire world into a one-click-away marketplace.

But let’s be honest—social media can be overwhelming. If you’re not sure where to begin, take a breath. It’s all about taking one step at a time.

Roles and Responsibilities: Who's Running This Thing?

If you’re a solo business owner, congrats! Social media is one more hat you get to wear. If you can swing it, hiring an agency or freelancer to manage your accounts is worth it. For larger businesses, full-time staff might be necessary—because let’s be real, social media isn't a part-time gig anymore.

If that's not in the cards, at least divide and conquer. Social media management usually boils down to three main roles: the copywriter (words), the graphic designer/videographer (visuals), and the account manager (the person actually hitting ‘post’ and dealing with the aftermath). And don’t forget about the role your audience plays—especially for event promotions or collabs. No one likes surprise content showing up on their feed, so if it involves another party (like a band performing at your venue), get their approval first.

Establishing the Goal: Why Are We Here?

Before you start cranking out content, you need to establish the goal of the account. Is it to increase sales? Boost brand awareness? Prove to your cats that your business is legit. I tell them every day that the device I'm on all day is how I pay for all their toys, food, and everything. It's not a way to ignore them. Whatever it is, knowing your goal helps keep your content focused. You don’t want to be that brand that posts just to post—everything should serve a purpose.

Creating a Topic List: Brainstorm Time

Alright, time to gather the key players and get brainstorming. If you’re a small business or working solo, that means grabbing some sticky notes, a pen, and your favorite caffeinated beverage. You need to decide what types of content are needed, always keeping that main goal in mind.

For example, if you run a digital marketing firm, you’re going to want to feature your services—but you also need more. Post about holidays, trending news, or relevant topics like "How AI is Changing Small Businesses." Social media isn’t just about selling; it’s about showing off your expertise, your values, and why you’re the right fit for your audience. It’s about being human. Share your best graphics, write blogs about social media strategies, and give people a reason to follow you besides just sales pitches.

Editorial Calendar: Planning to Stay Sane

We’ve got topics—now let’s figure out when to post. Planning is key, and an editorial calendar is your new best friend. You can plan three months at a time or whatever cadence works for you, but make sure you can visually see when you’re posting and what the content is. Consistency is crucial, but remember—variety in your posts helps keep your audience engaged.

Creating the Content: Let's Make Magic

Now for the fun part—creating the content! This is where your brainstorming, roles, and editorial calendar all come together. Establish the look and feel of your posts, get the key players involved, and create graphics and copy based on your calendar. Knowing how many posts you need to make each month will help you stay organized and avoid last-minute panic posting.

Scheduling, Posting, and Maintaining: Engage or Be Forgotten

Content’s ready—now what? Schedule the posts you can in advance, stay on top of the day-of posts, and—this is important—engage. Respond to comments, answer questions, and generally be present. Social media isn’t a one-way street; it’s a conversation. If you want people to care about what you’re posting, you need to show that you care about what they’re saying.

Feeling Overwhelmed? We Got You.

Managing social media doesn’t have to drive you to the brink of madness. Let Slothy Collaboration help you keep it all together and make sure your social presence actually works for you. We’re here to help, one post at a time.