I’ve always been a multi-tasker. Admitedly, I get a lot done in a day. I don’t know how, sometimes. I really don’t. But the answer I always give is “get enough sleep.” I am only half-joking. I don’t pull all-nighters. Ever.
Now that I’m involved in social media, I get asked a lot how to manage it all. Over time, I’ve been able to integrate social media tools into my daily routine. In fact, social media tools have replaced other less productive forms of communication and networking for me.
But I thought I’d share some tips about social media time management – especially for those just trying to figure it all out.
- It takes time to create a new habit. Know that for a few weeks, you’ll have to work to make social media a habit. If you don’t check your feed reader every day, it won’t come naturally. If you don’t think about twittering, it’s not going to be top-of-mind.
- Visual reminders help. Put the link or the page to your feed reader where you can see it. I put mine on my toolbar. This is a visual reminder that you should give it a quick look. You can also make your feed reader your home page. iGoogle or a browser like Flock gives you a home page with all your social web stuff in one place.
- Participate! Don’t just be a looky-loo. My sister recently got the point of Twitter when she followed a well-known graphic designer, he followed her back and even commented on her work. “I’m hooked,” she told me. For Twitter in particular, you have to add friends and followers beyond your circle of friends or it’ll never be of value (not that your friends are valuable…). If you’re involved in conversations, it’s hard to not remember to go back and check in now and then.
- Create a “social media to do” list. What tools do you want to try (or do you have to try because I said so)? Having a list to focus on will keep you from being drawn into the social media time suck.
- Blog on Sundays. Or whatever day works for you. I do most of my blogging on a single day and schedule my posts out over the week. Sunday is my day. Basically, whatever the tools are that you use (or want to use), block out time to focus.
- Be selective. You don’t have to participate in everything! Pick a few that you really want to spend time with, maybe one or two that are important, but take less administration and then leave the rest. For me personally, this blog and Twitter are the most important. PROpenMic and Facebook are second level priority. LinkedIn gets attention about once a month, just to keep it current. I also spend time when I can exploring other tools.
- Think about rules for your social networks. I don’t follow someone back on Twitter unless I think that what they have to say will be interesting. Usually I’ll give people the benefit of the doubt but I’ll unfollow those who just aren’t a good fit for me. I don’t friend everyone on Facebook (which for me, is mostly personal and family-oriented).
What tips would you add?
