How To Be More Productive On Social Media

As someone who manages multiple social media accounts for clients on a daily basis, friends often ask me, 'you must be on your phone all of the time.' The answer is no

At a time when smart phones are an extension of our arms, putting our phones down without checking e-mails or double tapping photos seems like a near-impossible task. But if you’re managing your own social media pages, do you really need to be as social and ‘on it’ as everyone suggests you should be? The answer is no.

Don’t get me wrong, I love scrolling through my social media pages. Seeing food related posts, #ootd’s or just catching up with announcements from friends, fills me with joy. But you can get easily distracted.

Although social media is inherently social, and encourages us to connect with hundreds of people, whether we know them or not, this kind of interaction can actually waste our very precious time. Don’t get me wrong, interaction and engagement is part of growing a page but it needs to be done strategically before you get sucked in.

According to Global Web Index, internet users are now spending an average of 2 hours and 22 minutes per day on social networking and messaging platforms.

Social Media can be a total drain on resources if you don’t use it correctly. You can put in hours per day crafting the perfect Tweet, pinning things on Pinterest for your customers, or publicising your latest viral video on Facebook.

While going completely cold turkey and deleting yourself from all socials may not be everyone’s style, or the best idea especially when social media is largely an excellent resource to connect with your target market. I use my time efficiently on social media to ensure I am engaging with the correct people to help grow my brand and discover new content.

Here’s the tips I follow to ensure I am maximising on growth without being distracted:

Delete your social apps

It’s amazing how much social media can be done on desktop rather than your phone. Posting on Facebook, tweeting and posting on instagram can all be done therefore you can delete the apps from your phone to eliminate the chance to get sucked in to further distractions. Yes, it’s easy to click on an app and interact that way but before you know it you’re looking at your cousins – best friends – ex boyfriends – sister’s long lost relative who’s just been to Ibiza for a week…you get me?

Of course, deleting social media isn’t going to solve all your productivity problems. After all, in our digital landscape, there’s always room for a replacement; you can get distracted by other apps and websites just as often as you can with social media.

Limit your time

In 2018, Facebook and Instagram allowed users to cap their time spent on the social networks. The new tools will allow users to monitor how much time they have spent on each platform, set a time limit for their daily usage, and mute notifications for a set period of time. Whereas it doesn’t stop you from using it, it will notify you if you have gone over your intended usage time. You will soon become aware how much time you spend on it per day and if it’s been beneficial.

Leave your phone behind

We’re all looking for instagrammable moments, and taking a snap at every possible moment. If it’s not on social media, it didn’t happen, right? Enjoy the moment and leave your phone in your pocket, or even better not attached to your body.

Disable your notifications

I have actually turned off all notifications. I shouldn’t have to be a slave to my phone. Nothing serious is going to happen in the time you are away from your phone. I often turn my phone on Do Not Disturb mode. It means my phone is on silent, and my notifications don’t come through until I want them to. Yes, I might miss a call but I can easily return it. Plus, we’re in 2019 who calls anyone these days? Notifications can be replied to when you’re actively online.

Messaging

In recent years, customers sliding into your DM’s is all becoming too familiar and is a great way for instant interaction. However, many SME’s don’t have the time to answer emails, calls and DM’s. Simple techniques like auto responders, chat bots and out of office responses are great ways to provide instant information without having to be online.

Stop being available

Yes, our personal phones are 99% of the time connected to our social media accounts therefore you feel more ‘available’ and likely to respond. However, setting parameters that you are only available between certain times is likely to give you breathing space and a chance to step away from socials.

As someone who manages a hell of a lot of social media pages, and has been for almost five years now, these tips help me keep focused, on the ball, efficient and get my clients results.