Odds are, you haven’t thought of your social media community building strategy like you would think about building your resume. But going through the motions can be very helpful in focusing your tactics to achieve the outcome you’re looking for in your online community building efforts.
So here are some resume and online community building tips—you get a two-fer!
Objectives
This section’s a little old school, but one most everyone is familiar with. Normally you’d take this part to describe what your personal career objectives are in a couple sentences. And if you’re applying for a job, you’d explain how your objectives relate to the position you’re striving for.
So, in terms of your community building, ask yourself what you’re seeking to achieve with your organization’s social media strategy? What are the goals you’re trying to achieve? Basically, what’s the reason you’re building a community?
These are the most important questions to ask, so get over this hurdle first. Without a clear understanding of why you’re doing this, you’ll build a community that may not achieve what you wanted upon a strategy that won’t be very sustainable. But once you figure out this part, the rest is (almost) gravy.
Skills
List adjectives that best describe the personality of the business you’re running. Are you fun and easy going, or more professional and respectable? Take this exercise to also figure out other characteristics of your business (are you trendy or classic? Inviting and conversational?) to help you find the voice your business is comfortable using online.
Experience
This is the part that will make you stand out—and the hardest part of the resume building process. If you had to describe your product or service in short snippets/phrases, what would you say?
Start by writing your heart out, and then edit and wordsmith your descriptions. You’re looking for a bulleted list that captures both the facts and feelings you want to portray.
Don’t waste space by being redundant or unclear. Focus on trimming the fat from your rhetoric, and amplify the message you’re sending about your company. Like your resume, think of this as possibly your only shot at a first impression.
References
Do you have customers that would stand by everything you put on paper? And how much do they love you?
These guys are your brand ambassadors, and they’ll be a tremendous resource for your community building efforts. Bring them on board with your plan by asking them to be part of it from the beginning, and working with them to spread awareness of your business.
This isn’t meant to be the all-in-all guide for your community building strategy, but it’ll help you frame the way you approach your planning process around your goals by clarifying the direction you should take, and helping you get the support you need to make it happen.
How have you approached your community building strategy?
For more community-building advice from Ifdy Perez, click here.
Image: CharlotWest
