How do you stay current with social media and relationship building?

1 Choose your platforms wisely

You don't have to be on every social media platform to build relationships. In fact, spreading yourself too thin can be counterproductive and overwhelming. Instead, focus on the platforms that align with your goals, audience, and style. For example, if you want to showcase your visual skills, you might opt for Instagram or Pinterest. If you want to share your insights and opinions, you might prefer Twitter or LinkedIn. Research the demographics, features, and culture of each platform and choose the ones that suit you best.

2 Follow relevant influencers and experts

One of the easiest ways to stay current with social media and relationship building is to follow the people who are doing it well. Look for influencers and experts in your field, niche, or interest area who have a large and engaged following. Observe how they create and share content, interact with their audience, and leverage the platform's tools. You can also learn from their mistakes and challenges. Don't be afraid to reach out to them with questions, feedback, or compliments. You might even build a valuable connection with them.

3 Join online communities and groups

Another way to stay current with social media and relationship building is to join online communities and groups that are relevant to your goals, interests, or needs. These can be formal or informal, public or private, depending on the platform and the topic. For example, you can join Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, Reddit communities, Twitter chats, or Clubhouse rooms. By joining these groups, you can access valuable information, resources, and insights from other members. You can also contribute your own knowledge, opinions, and experiences, and build rapport and trust with others.

4 Experiment with new features and formats

Social media platforms are constantly evolving and introducing new features and formats to attract and retain users. To stay current with social media and relationship building, you need to be willing to experiment with these new features and formats, and see how they work for you. For example, you can try creating short videos with TikTok or Reels, hosting live sessions with Facebook Live or Instagram Live, or creating newsletters with Substack or Revue. These features and formats can help you showcase your personality, creativity, and expertise, and connect with your audience in different ways.

5 Track your performance and feedback

Finally, to stay current with social media and relationship building, you need to track your performance and feedback on each platform. This means measuring and analyzing your metrics, such as followers, likes, comments, shares, views, clicks, and conversions. These metrics can help you understand what works and what doesn't, and how you can improve your strategy and tactics. You also need to pay attention to the feedback you receive from your audience, such as their questions, suggestions, complaints, or praises. This feedback can help you understand their needs, preferences, and expectations, and how you can meet them.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?