Colleagues, clients, and friends often tell me how difficult they find it to keep up with the never-ending changes in social media. I agree that it's challenging; social media platforms regularly add and remove features, change guidelines, and update algorithms. However, dealing with all of that doesn’t have to be cumbersome. With the right plan in place, you can be ready for changes like these–and adapt with ease.
Below are my recommendations to help you do that.
Tips for Navigating Changes in Social Media
Subscribe to respected and reputable social media publications.
Blogs that specialize in all things social media, such as Social Media Today and Social Media Examiner, will help you stay abreast of current changes. I also encourage you to subscribe to Mark Schaefer’s {grow} blog. Mark has a pulse on what’s coming down the road in the industry, and he explains things in an easy-to-understand way.
Surround yourself with people who can help.
More heads are better than one when it comes to keeping on top of what's happening in the dynamic social media realm. Consider assembling a small group of people to collectively read, watch, and listen for changes and with whom you can exchange ideas and expertise. This will help you stay in the know and make the process of dealing with changes less overwhelming.
Log into your accounts and see what’s going on.
Sounds simple enough, right? Many social media changes that occur will be evident if you log into your accounts frequently.
For example, layout changes (which are among the most common alterations that social media networks make) are easily detected by simply accessing your accounts. You will also see that some sites present notifications when you log in after they have made changes.
Besides regularly logging into your social accounts, also consider subscribing to the blogs of the major social sites. For example:
Don’t jump on the bandwagon.
When new social media platforms or new features surface and become all the rage, it doesn't mean you should pursue them immediately—or even in the future. Succumbing to "shiny object syndrome" is how people end up with more social media sites than they can handle and that they eventually ignore altogether.
Always keep your audience and your goals in mind when shiny object syndrome threatens your logical thought process.
Also, recognize that not all shiny, new sites will last.
I do recommend checking out new sites and tools to objectively assess their capabilities and the potential value for your business. However, as a general rule, I advise that you don’t put a lot of resources into the newest trend until you’re confident it will be more than just a passing fad.
Final Thoughts on the Challenge of Change
Changes occur in all industries, and, with advances in AI, we can expect them to accelerate. Rather than cringe at what technology has in store for us, we need to keep cool heads. The one constant we can always count on is change—and that's especially true with social media.
Fortunately, dealing with social media changes doesn’t have to catch you off-guard. The tips I've mentioned above will help you prepare for what lies ahead. You could also consider seeking the help of a social media manager if you need additional support.
Rachel:
I enjoyed Mark's book and workbook, Known.
I would suggest to check out some podcasts, if you want to keep up with the changes in new media.
I would like to have you as a guest on my podcast, EGO NetCast, sometime in the future... 😉
All the Best,
Martin
I LOVE Mark's book (and all of his books, really). He is a true visionary! The only reason I don't do podcasts is because I am hearing disabled. It makes it challenging - double the effort of most people - to listen rather than 'see.'
I would be happy to be a guest on your podcast. I will be recording a radio show this Friday - Barry Moltz!
Rachel
This article provides practical and actionable tips on how to keep up with the ever-evolving world of social media. It emphasizes the importance of staying informed, being adaptable, and experimenting with new features and platforms. Overall, this article is a great resource for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in the fast-paced world of social media marketing.