If you're reading this post, it's likely because you feel overwhelmed with the what, where, and why of your social media strategy. You don't know when to post and you're not sure which platforms your ideal customer frequents. The good news is you're not alone. The better news is there are strategies that can help alleviate overwhelm while improving business lead generation at the same time.

Start Small and Test Drive a Platform

Many business owners wonder, "Which social platforms are my customers on?" It's a great question, and a proven way to find out is to test drive a few platforms.

Feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of choices is understandable.

For example, visit Twitter and do a keyword search that reflects what you do. When you see comparable businesses show up, then you know that platform should be further explored. Post the same kind of content your competitors post. Do this for roughly two months. When you start seeing comments, shares, and likes, you know you're on the right track. Anything less than two months may not produce enough social proof for you to determine if the platform is right for you.

Use a Social Media Scheduler

Because social media requires constant attention, overwhelm often comes in the form of believing we have to sit in front of a computer all day just to post. This is not the case. There are various social media schedulers that post for you. For example, Twitter offers a free scheduler called Tweetdeck.

A schedule is vital for sites like Twitter..

Your ideal client shows up on social media at various times. Try scheduling a post five or six times a day to determine when they are most active. If you're concerned about where to get content, remember to follow businesses that are similar to yours. Their posts will provide relevant content that you can share. You can also share your own opt-ins, blog posts, and articles. Be consistent with posting. Consistency is what generates interest in your product and drives traffic to your site.

Hire a Social Media Strategist

If you don't know where to begin or have no desire to manage your own content, investing in someone that does is an ideal way to avoid overwhelm. A strategist will find which platforms are the best for your business, research content that brings visitors to your site, and offer solutions when the social media landscape changes.

Someone with a strong online marketing strategy can also help you gauge who your visitors are and where they're coming from using Google Analytics. Google Analytics is the primary tool used by professionals to determine exactly where your web traffic is coming from. This website competitive analysis enables you to see who your customers are and what you need to do to drive them to your site over your competitors site.

There's no question that social media can be overwhelming and sometimes frustrating. If you'd like to talk to someone that can help you with your social strategy, reach out for a consultation. We can get you started with the right strategy today.