By April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)
If spring has you inspired to clean out your closets and reorganize your pantry, consider sprucing up your social media properties as well. Your social media properties may need freshening up or a Hoarders-style overhaul. Either way, an annual refresh can keep you relevant.
Your homes on Twitter, Facebook, Wikipedia and Foursquare require maintenance, just like your real-world home. Keep in mind, your brand will live online forever, so you can’t afford to let them fall into disrepair.
Out with the Old.
Styles change, and nowhere is this more apparent than with social media. Facebook recently launched its new Pages for organizations that looks more like Profiles. Likewise, advertising on Facebook and Twitter is ever-changing. Don’t get caught behind the times. Check out the new features and see if they’re right for you.
Create Online Curb Appeal.
First impressions begin sooner than you think. Anyone you meet in person looks up your address first, so it’s important to have social media curb appeal on the map. Google Places allows you to verify your listing and edit it. You can link to your website, show a feed of photos and add video.
Give Freely.
Just as you make donations when clearing out your house, give a little to your online relationships. Chat up a few followers or send an email to a blogger you’ve been following. A friendly note may create good karma for later.
Dust Off Your Boilerplate.
The little blurb about your company at the bottom of your press releases needs airing out. Ask yourself: Is it still relevant? Are there new naming conventions? Consider reworking it for social media: Use it to update your Wikipedia page, refine your Twitter bio or add to the Info section on your Facebook page.
These tasks may not feel like “going out like a lamb,” but for a once-a-year activity, it’s worth the investment.
Thanks for the great advice. Sometimes I loose track of my social media websites. As stated in this blog post, “your brand will live online forever, so you can’t afford to let them fall into disrepair.” It is vital to keep them consistent with the brand you want to project to the world.