How to Take a Productive Break from Social Media for Your Business
Does the break-neck pace of social media have you ready to be done with the whole thing? Stop and breathe, it's gonna be okay! A thriving social media account can serve your business in many ways outside the scope of advertising. Your Instagram Business Profile isn't just an opportunity to give your customers a peek behind-the-scenes, but also acts as a barometer for public opinion, an outlet for your biggest fans to share their love, and a special place to build meaningful relationships with your community. That all sounds real nice, but what if you're too tired of "keeping up content" to pour any more energy into Instagram? I'M HERE FOR YOU. Fatigue is one of the the most prevalent killers of good content and a HUGE factor in the failure of most businesses to communicate their vision clearly. When you're not inspired by your business, it shows. Lucky for you, a little bit of creative energy can go a long way (and it's contagious). Though it may seem counter-intuitive to take a break from social media marketing for your business, JUST DO IT. You'll thank me later.
Here are 4 steps I've found that help me take a successful break from social media marketing and get back on course with a full tank of gas!
Give yourself space to gain inspiration.
Congratulations! You're free! Whether you need a week away or a couple months, be sure to take the time you need. Your accounts will be there when you're ready to get back to work. In these moments I like to add positive, inspiring activities to my routine where the stress of posting used to be. I'm always looking for non-work related photography adventures, so I usually take myself on a long drive with a good coffee and just have FUN. Whatever it is you do to stay connected to your sense of adventure--DO THAT and do it JUST FOR YOU. There are so many restorative benefits to living an un-shared life. Bask in the beauty of it, just for beauty's sake.
Use this time to re-prioritize your values.
You're here because your social media isn't serving you and that's no good! Shake off your expectations, identify old patterns that don't fit anymore, and forge a new path ahead with a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude. This is where I start asking myself questions and making lists. 1) What do I LOVE about what I do? 2) WHY do I do this? 3) HOW do I serve my clients best? Once I'm finished with my lists, I can see a clearer picture of where I need to focus my energy. From there, aligning my vision is simple. I recommend hand-writing these lists on a single page and putting them up somewhere you can see on the regular.
Focus on your vision.
While your lists are up and you've got some precious time away from social media, make an effort to ruminate on your vision. Go nuts! Think about your ideal client and what makes you happiest about what you do. Fold those things into your business plan and use them to direct the way you want to communicate to your audience. Before you start planning for the future, define your vision by re-writing your mission statement using the three lists above as a guide.
Implement strategies with renewed energy.
Now that you've had a little time and perspective to rile up your spirit, it's time to roll up our sleeves and get back to work. I like to plan two weeks ahead for peace of mind and also so I don't get locked in a month of content that needs to shift for whatever reason. Something always comes up, so I always plan for it. Poor planning means more emergencies and ain't nobody got time for that. 🤣 Think of 4-6 products, services, or pieces of information you want to share with your customers. Each of these things will need a photo to represent them, so keep that in mind when you're planning your editorial calendar. Spread out your posts over that two week period (or a month if you're feeling lucky).
Escaping the constant need for content can seem like and endless, uphill battle if you don't have the right tools in your belt. I hope your break from social media leaves you with restored vigor and a plan that inspires you to inspire others! Happy working!
Until next time,
