Hootsuite Social Media Management Tool

Hootsuite Integration of Social Profiles and Apps

It is possible to manage social media marketing activities through the effective use of social media tools.  I see a common theme among people who approach me for social media consulting and training who feel frustrated and overwhelmed by all the options available to them, are unsure  how to set up and implement social media channels and effectively use tools to manage them.  Most think that they will spend an entire day on social media, which is why they often resist social media engagement and avoid it as much as possible. Does this sound like you?

Although there is the danger of spending considerable amount of “wasted” time online, because of learning and troubleshooting, or you get carried away reading content to content, managing social media is possible.  My philosophy stems from setting up a cohesive foundation, integrated with tools to manage conversations, publish content (that fills in the gap between your next blog) and increases attention to your profiles, review analytics,  lead traffic to your website and blah, blah, blah.

I am an organizer by nature, mostly because I like systems and processes to run smoothly and I feel that managing social media can be effectively managed with tools.

Before I go into tools, it is important to know what your goals and objectives are for each channel so that you can select the right tools to get your social media activities running like a machine.

Investing in time to set up your foundation with a system and process will free you up in the long run, and all you have to do is maintain your plan every few months by swapping out content feeds, hashtags, and make some changes to stay current and continue adding value to your communities.

Day to Day Social Media Management Tool

After establishing online marketing and social media strategies comes the build or improving upon your current social media channels.  Debbie Hemley wrote an excellent article on Social Media Examiner which offers succinct tips on optimizing your social profiles, but I want to take it a step further and explain how I set myself up online so that I am free to engage, pursue new business opportunities, actually get some exercise and meet real people for lunch.

After optimizing all your social media profiles, consider using a social media dashboard to get an overall view of your social media channels. A tool that integrates Twitter, Twitter Lists, Facebook, Facebook Pages, Linkedin, LinkedIn groups, Linkedin Company page, G+ Biz Page, Instagram, Flickr, Vimeo and YouTube, etc.  I use Hootsuite and customized my tabs and streams relevant to each channel or purpose. Hootsuite also

  • integrate your Google analytics and Facebook Insights
  • Has a Scheduler tool (real time, Auto and Manual schedule, or Bulk Scheduler using their CSV Template)
  • Able to view analytics and run reports
  • Assign a social media user to help manage your social accounts (PRO level)
  • $9.99 gets you a ROBUST tool so it is the BEST tool for anyone (Big or Small)

I wrote about Hootsuite, and even created a video tutorial for VAClassroom members to learn how to setup and customize your social media dashboard; set up listening streams, follow certain people’s conversations, using apps to curate and publish content, and so much more.

Hootsuite Prime Features:

  • Hootsuite also integrates Trendspottr, Stumbleupon, Reddit, Scoop.it so you can curate and publish or schedule fresh content.
  • Integrates with your self hosted WordPress blog

Hootsuite happens to be the best tool out there that provides a platform to communicate, schedule, analyze, monitor, and find great content in forms of infographics (Trendspottr), video (YouTube, Vimeo), and photos (Instagram, Flickr).  There is more to Hootsuite so I encourage you to explore their apps (free or monthly subscription models)

How Hootsuite Helps Me Create Traction

The beauty about Hootsuite is that I can spend 15 minutes per day within 3 LinkedIn groups, read content, comment, Like, and within 30 days I would have been in 49 groups.  These activities create a ripple effect to my profile, thus attracting new people into my network.  I am very careful about automating content into the LinkedIn groups, so I post content real time.  Mostly, I read other people’s content, Like and comment.  The same goes for Twitter.  It takes me a few minutes to set up and schedule retweets, mentions and find content thru my apps.

I have a PCP Method, not to be mistaken for the drug, but the effects are the same: Persistency, Consistency and Patience.  Hang in there, spend a few minutes per day Persistently, offering value thru mixed types of content Consistently – showing up daily and being Patient with process and results.  Create a routine you can commit to such as scheduling time on your calendar for social media engagement, start with a goal in mind for each channel and how much time you will spend and stick to it; Schedule Tweetchats and G+ Hangouts on your calendar and make a habit of visiting for 30 minutes to create and foster connections, offer your insights. Over a short period of time you will notice an increase of Twitter followers, LinkedIn invitations, G+, Pinterest followers and even emails asking you to speak or participate in a partnership.

You online world will evolve and create opportunities you never thought possible.  Now on to automating “some content” using Dlvr.it.

Content Publishing

Half of the content you see on my Twitter account  is automated using Dlvr.it.  Dlvr.it allows me to set up content to specific channels, and I am able to append a hashtag, even decide to schedule that piece of content on different days and times, or I can just set up the RSS feed, append hashtag and save, and Dlvr.it will distribute that content whenever it gets published.  I am careful to say that it is okay to automate some content but it’s not a set it and walk away mentality.  The key to getting attention online is to provide fresh, relevant and timely (interesting) content, so select 1-10 blogs from respective bloggers who are consistent in providing great content and set it up to feed into Twitter or LinkedIn status update.

Dlvr.it publishes content to G+ Business Page and to your LinkedIn company page.  Just set up your blog RSS feed, append appropriate hashtag and set it to feed into both social sites.  This saves you a few steps to share content from your company to these important sites.

Tactic: Visit your LinkedIn company page and SHARE content to your LinkedIn status page – this alerts your network and will send visitors to your LinkedIn Company page.

Dlvr.it offers analytics and also offers Sponsored stories, very much like submitting a press release.  I love Dlvr.it and set up all my clients up with it.  Dlvr.it has a free level where you can share 5 RSS Feeds or their subscription starts at $9.99/month.

Later this week I will be sharing my favorite content curation tools that seeks out  interesting content and sends me a daily email first thing in the morning.  I am an avid reader and spend 2-3 hours reading EVERY morning, which is why I am able to schedule fresh content for the day using BufferApp or these two favorite tools…Yes, I don’t want to give you their names yet because I want you to come back and read my blog post!!

Now tell me what tools you use you manage your time, schedule your posts and curate and publish content?