We all have regrets.

 

When I look back on my years on social media, I’m pretty proud of the risks I took and the learning I invested in.

 

But… there are a few things I wish I had done sooner and maybe a little bit differently.

 

After all, hindsight is 20/20.

 

Hesitation is a part of being a perfectionist – we want everything to be SO perfect before we jump into anything.

 

But, when it comes to marketing on social media, we don’t always have the luxury of time to make everything perfect.

 

Sometimes, we just have to jump right in and get it almost right, and then course correct from there.

 

Specifically, there are 3 things I wish I had done sooner during my social media evolution. When I think of where I could be right now if only I hadn’t hesitated, or waited until things were perfect, it makes me a bit sad.

 

Oh, well.

 

Live and learn, right?

 

Here are 3 things I wish I had done sooner – that is, 3 strategies that you can employ today to accelerate your social media growth…

 

Dominate the Big 5 social media platforms

If you are an entrepreneur using social media to promote your business, you need to know about the Social Media Big 5.

 

Different digital marketers are going to have varying opinions, but for the most part, the majority will agree the Big 5 are: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

 

If you’re wondering about Pinterest and Snapchat, they each get an honorary mention, at least in my book.

 

It’s important to be aware of the Social Media Big 5 because when you’re an entrepreneur, your time and resources are finite. You need to maximize your ROI (return on investment) wherever and whenever possible.

 

By focusing your social media marketing efforts on the Big 5, you will do just that.

 

The Big 5 are social media’s current heavy-hitters because they have proven track records as powerful marketing tools for business owners.

 

These social media platforms aren’t disappearing any time soon, and pretty much everyone and anyone you are trying to engage is on at least one of the Big 5.

 

Like members of a superhero mega team, each member of the Big 5 boasts its own individual features and characteristics – no two platforms are alike.

 

Furthermore, if you’ve been engaging on social media for a while, you’ll have no doubt noticed that there are ebbs and flows when it comes to engagement.

 

One day, you’re cruising along on Facebook, and things are going great and then all of a sudden – BOOM.

 

Crickets.

 

Why? You haven’t done anything differently. Same content, same post schedule… what gives?

 

A new algorithm, perhaps? Or, some new trend that you have no control over?

 

In any case, like a smart entrepreneur, you delve into the situation and in time, you course correct and make some changes and all is well again.

 

By diversifying your efforts across more social media platforms, you would have minimized the negative effects of that temporary down-turn.

 

Changes are going to happen – they are part of the game when it comes to social media marketing.

 

While you can’t always anticipate them, you can be better prepared for changes by not putting all your eggs in one basket.

 

Diversifying across the Big 5 will help you manage changes that are beyond your control.

 

Create original video content

 

According to Outbrain, 87% of online marketers are using video content to promote products and services.

 

There are many reasons why this is happening.

 

For one, videos attract larger audiences than other media. Insivia reports that 59% of executives agree that if both text and video are available on the same topic, they are more likely to choose video.

 

Promotional videos are also very engaging and super easy to share. According to Responsive Inbound Marketing, social video generates 1,200% more shares than text and images combined.

 

So, videos are statistically more popular, more appealing, and more engaging than text or images.

 

I know what you’re thinking – show me the money.

 

Well, okay… Insivia reports that 51% of marketing professionals worldwide name video as the type of content with the best ROI (return on investment). Also, marketers who use video grow revenue 49% faster than non-video users.

 

The potential for video as an online marketing tool is huge.

 

What does this have to do with social media?

 

Everything.

 

Using social media to leverage your video marketing campaign just makes logical sense.

 

Write an ebook lead magnet

 

Every entrepreneur should consider publishing an eBook.

 

I know what you’re thinking. I’m a business owner, not an author.

 

You may or may not have ever considered being an author, but the truth is, as a business owner, you likely have a ton of knowledge that is worth sharing with others.

 

What’s more important, is that this knowledge, packaged in the form of an ebook, can help you help others AND grow your business.

 

When my free ebook, “How to Blog Like an Entrepreneur” was first unleashed, I fully expected it would help me grow my business, but I was surprised at how quickly it got me noticed and how much it raised my profile. Now, I wish I had published it sooner.

 

When you tell someone they can have your ebook as a free gift and it will help them with a problem they’re having, they’re going to be impressed AND grateful.

 

You’ve just done a nice thing for someone, by helping them.

 

Being helpful – and more importantly, being helpful FIRST – is a step in the right direction towards forming and nurturing a good business relationship.

 

Being helpful and offering something of value (that you created, no less) will help you build up your business network when you’re trying to promote your business in a meaningful way.

 

If you’re smart, you can use your ebook as a lead magnet. A lead magnet is a free, downloadable offering to your target audience that you give away in exchange for their email addresses.

 

Growing your email list in this targeted, meaningful way will reward your email campaigning efforts in a big way.

 

Things move fast in the realm of social media marketing. So fast, you won’t always have time to get things perfect before you launch. If I could go back in time, and do things over again, there are 3 things I would have done sooner to accelerate my social media marketing growth. I would have diversified my social media efforts across the Big 5 social media platforms sooner. I would have created original video content earlier as well. And finally, I would have published my first ebook lead magnet much earlier than I did.

If you’re ready to take your business blog to the next level, check out my FREE eBook, “How To Blog Like An Entrepreneur” here…