If you follow our blog or have worked with us for social media strategy and coaching help, you know that we are big believers in focusing your efforts and time on a couple social media platforms to start, and make sure you have a strong handle on those platforms before adding in a new social media profile (or two).

So, let’s say that you are already rocking Twitter and have a Facebook fan page engagement rate 5 times the norm. You are finding yourself traveling down a Pinterest rabbit hole at least once a week. You know the SEO benefits of Google Plus. You have an awesome plan to incorporate photos into your social media marketing and want to create an Instagram account for your brand.

What do you need to think about before you officially add a new social media account to your online presence?

This list of 3 questions will help you decide if and how to move ahead with adding your new social profile.

1. Does it make sense for your business? Social media darlings come and go. And there will always be the “next big thing”. What works for your business might not for the next. Profiling your customer type(s) is so key before making any type of business decision. You don’t want to waste time on an additional social media platform if you can’t use it to effectively reach your customers. 
2. Do you know the benefits, uses and specific nuances of your new social media platform? Social media platforms aren’t all made the same. Terminology, benefits of, limitations to, features and time requirements differ from platform to platform. So, for example, if you aren’t in a business that naturally lends itself towards photos or you simply don’t have time to take photos, you don’t want to create an account on a platform that is very photo-heavy like Pinterest or Instagram. Whereas if you have a brick and mortar location, creating a Google Plus business page and verifying your address with Google is something you really should consider.
3. Are you sure you REALLY have the time? No matter which social media platform you are eyeing as your “just one more”, it takes consistent, dedicated time to establish and nurture a brand new account. You have no control over how someone will first come in contact with your brand online, which is why you don’t want to start an account you later allow to fall dormant. You also need to make sure you have enough time to grow your new social media account to a point where it is benefitting you before, say, a special event or product launch. Engaged social media followings don’t pop up overnight.

If you can confidently answer “yes” to all 3 questions above, then I’d say you are ready to take the plunge!

Now that you’ve created a new virtual location for your brand, be sure to add a linked social media icon for that platform on your website, update your marketing materials and signage to reflect that addition, and invite your other social connections to follow you there, too!