For over a year now I have called myself The Butt in the Chair Girl. Scheduling, posting, and keeping up with the social media platforms for On The Wings for Writers Discord Server. Keeping track of social media has been a HUGE learning curve for me. Going from only have a basic personal page to managing a group. It has been so rewarding though and I have learned so much!
If you are interested in taking on some social media admin duties for a favorite group you are in or just to make your own social media marketing a bit easier then keep reading!
As a behind the scenes social media admin for a writing group, you have an important role to play in promoting the work of writers and helping to build a community of readers and fellow writers. Whether you are working for a small local group or a larger national organization, there are a few key things you should keep in mind as you go about your work.
First and foremost, you need to be organized. Social media management can be a daunting task, especially when you have to manage multiple accounts, each with its own unique requirements and audience. To ensure that you are efficient in your work, it is important to have a system in place to keep track of what you need to post and when. This could be a simple spreadsheet or a more advanced social media management tool that allows you to schedule posts in advance and manage multiple accounts from a single dashboard.
To ensure that I keep each group or page organized I have created files on my computer and pages in Notion for each platform. This includes regular posts and special events. As we have different events that come up monthly, I also have a monthly folder to keep everything together. I will take one or two days a month to batch schedule and create any images we might need for the upcoming events.
Another important aspect of being a social media admin is understanding your audience. Who are the members of your writing group, and what do they want to see on social media? Are they interested in writing prompts, publishing news, or just general updates about the group's activities? By understanding your audience, you can tailor your content to their needs and interests, which can lead to higher engagement rates. Pay attention to what gets the most engagement on your social media channels and adjust your strategy accordingly.
As I handle a writing group and most of the audience are authors, writers or other creative type people, I use backgrounds and images on theme with the type of event and easily connect to someone as they scroll. For instance, when we have a writing workshop, I make sure to add hashtags that are frequently searched for authors, workshops for authors and author or writer support. There are times when I have forgotten hashtags and that does really affect the number of reaches a post gets.
It is also important to be consistent in your posting. Your followers will come to expect a certain level of activity from your group's social media accounts. If you go silent for long periods of time, they may lose interest or forget about you altogether. Try to post at least a few times a week, and stick to a regular schedule if possible. Consistency can help you build a strong brand presence and keep your followers engaged.
I have a consistent set of topics that I post with both daily and monthly. This makes it easier to refresh the wording and images rather than continually creating all new posts. This is so helpful!
Finally, don't forget about engagement. Social media is a two-way street, and you need to be actively engaging with your followers if you want to build a strong community. Respond to comments and messages in a timely manner, and consider running contests or other interactive campaigns to get people involved. Encourage your followers to share their work, and support them by sharing their content on your social media channels. By doing so, you can help build a supportive community of writers and readers who are passionate about the written word.
There is a team of admins that help with engagement on the front end of the groups. If you have a team that can help respond to comments or questions then you don’t have to spend as much time on this area of social media. However, if you are working on personal social media, carve out a scheduled time to engage with your audience.
Being a social media admin for a writing group can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By staying organized, understanding your audience, being consistent, and engaging with your followers, you can help build a thriving community of writers and readers who are passionate about the written word. Remember, social media is an ever-evolving landscape, so be open to new ideas and strategies, and be willing to adapt as needed. With dedication and hard work, you can help your writing group achieve its goals and build a strong online presence.
As a final note, IF you are the one who manages the platforms for posting and scheduling, this does not mean you have to shoulder everything. If you are posting for a group that you have a team of admins or mods to talk to, use that team. The team I work with is so amazing. We share post ideas, graphics and topics so that the content stays on point and engaging for our community!
Brandy Bullock is a valuable member of On the Wings for Writers.
She also creates beautiful journals you can buy on Amazon today!
She owns a social media art design company.
And she has a Kindle Vella now.
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