Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

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Maintaining your online presence for business is not difficult but it does require some effort on a regular basis, including time management. There are ways to simplify your approach so that your efforts will be optimized.

astronomical clock of PragueI love this image of the astronomical clock of Prague in the Czech Republic. Installed in 1410, it is the only astronomical clock in the world that is still working. It is a fascinating combination of astronomy, astrology and a daily monitor of the passage of the sun, shifting with the seasons to adapt to the change in the time of sunrise. To me, it is a wonderful reminder of the larger picture of time and of how there is neither “too little” nor “too much” of it, but that it is just a mark of the movement of the sun and stars.

With that said, I know that many of you feel that there just isn’t enough time to do everything, especially when it comes to social media and maintaining your online presence. In an effort to make that all more manageable, I have come up with ten simple tasks that each take about ten minutes to complete. The first five are social media maintenance that should be done regularly. The second five are network building and online branding tasks that will help you optimize your online presence. By scheduling these short, ten-minute tasks and having this list ready when you find an extra ten minutes to spare, the sometimes overwhelming job will become more manageable.

Social Media Maintenance Tasks

To be done on a regular basis, ideally at least once a week.

  • Visit your LinkedIn account and check your LinkedIn updates – comment, “Like” and/or share at least one or two. If you are not finding at least one or two updates that are worth sharing, please focus on building your network to include people who ARE sharing information of value.
  • Check your LinkedIn messages and invitations – while these should be forwarded to your email, you should still double check that there are none that need attention and archive (file) or delete all old ones.
  • Visit your Twitter Timeline and reply and/or retweet at least one or two tweets. Again, if you are not finding at least one or two comments worth sharing, please work on following some new people who ARE sharing information of value.
  • Check your Twitter @mentions – see if anyone has mentioned you and reply and/or retweet as appropriate.
  • Visit and comment on some of the Facebook pages that you have “Liked” in the past (remember to change modes to visit as a “Page”). To see the pages you have “Liked,” go to your own Page and they will appear in the left column, under your own number of “Likes.” Click “see all” to see more than the top five shown.

NetworkBuilding and Online Branding Tasks

To be done when you can find 10 minutes to spare, ideally at least once a month.

  • Check the “Who to Follow” suggestions on Twitter – found in the right-hand column of the Twitter.com interface, the algorithm used to make these suggestions get “smarter” the more you use it.
  • Check the “People You May Know” suggestions on LinkedIn – click on the “Contacts,” “Add Contacts” and then “People You May Know” link (last in the secondary navigation options at the top of page). Like the Twitter algorithm used above; this too gets “smarter” the more you use it. See my tutorial on how to include a personalized note when using this feature.
  • Answer a question on LinkedIn – switch the search bar drop down to “Answers” and insert a keyword into the search bar. You can use this to do research and to learn more about your own field as well!
  • Create and/or update your listings – you should do this on any of the free online directories.
  • Google yourself – your name and company. Try multiple spellings (and misspellings) Try Yahoo and Bing as well. See what you find. If you are on LinkedIn, Twitter and/or Facebook, these should come up. If not, make sure that you have your name spelled the same across all platforms and sites. If you do not find much, make an effort to broaden your online presence by creating accounts on LinkedIn, making sure you have a Google profile and by participating online via commenting on blogs and posting your own content.

Conclusion

If you tend to get sucked into networking sites, losing track of time, set a timer before you go in and stop when the alarm goes off. Scheduling these ten- minute tasks, a few times a week, can help you stay on top of this so you do not feel overwhelmed. It may leave you some time to contemplate the movement of the sun and stars.

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Author

  • LisaMarie Dias

    LisaMarie Dias of LisaMarie Dias Designs works with business owners to leverage social media for profitable growth. Specializing in e-newsletter start up and introductions to social media, she also offers online webinars and live presentations on how to use e-newsletters and social media to grow a business and personal consultations to help clients determine the marketing tools and sites that are right for their needs and goals.

17 Responses

  1. Steve Curran says:

    Great article!  I am going to start using the timer on my phone because I do get sidetracted. Thanks, Steve

  2. Sandra Beckwith says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Books and Writers

    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    This was reassuring, I'm right on track. Thank you for sharing this here.
    Posted by Sandra Beckwith

     

  3. Sandra, I read your blog all the time and always learn something – so glad to be able to provide info to help you as well!

     

  4. Greg Cohen says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: The Content Wrangler Community

    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    This is a great task list for simple maintenance – my only caveat is to make sure you're being strategic about the activities you're undertaking. Understand the conversations in which you want to spend time and understand those conversations you should avoid spending time replying to. Thanks so much for sharing this!
    Posted by Greg Cohen

     

    • Yes Greg- that is an excellent point! I always advise people to be cognizant of how they are spending their time online. Sometimes they will say that it is a waste of time – but when I ask what they are doing with their time, they say looking at cute videos or playing games or visiting with family. All of those can be valid uses of your time but be honest – if you want to use these tools to grow your business, you need, as you say, to be strategic about the conversations you join and participate in.

      Building an engaged community of people you want to learn from and contribute to is key to being productive on social media. Probably true in real life as well but will not go there now!

      Thank you again for the great comment!

  5. Wendy Meyeroff says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: ASBPE

    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    Absolutely true. One of the first guests I had on my Piggy Bank Promotions radio show (marketing and small biz tips) talked on time management. It's not as easy as people think…especially if you work solo and/or from home.

    I was on another group where the guy's saying small biz owners MUST blog to succeed. Well, no you don't. First many small biz owners don't have the time. And even if they develop extra time in the schedule through efforts like Carolyn's, blogging isn't right for everyone, and the extra time would be better spent elsewhere.

    So folks, definitely manage your time better, but don't intimidated into using it for blogging or tweeting, et al. — Wendy Meyeroff
    Posted by Wendy Meyeroff 

    • Yess Wendy, excellent points!  I often say that I wish I had a prescription pad, like a doctor, where I could write a client a note that excuses them from something like blogging if it is not a good fit for them! So many clients come to me saying they MUST blog, having heard this on a podcast or from someone like the guys you mention – they don't take into consideration THEIR goals and more importantly, their strengths. If writing is not your strong suit or something you enjoy, we can find a better fit for you! So glad that you too, are working to find the right fit for your clients. That is how they will make the best use of their time!

  6. Miranda Hill says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Fans of Mashable

    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    The concept of "Social Media" is an evolution of man kind. We are evolving faster than we have ever before and some may be left behind while others will adapt. Either you lead or you are left behind. Sharing information is curtail in this industry. Pay it forward.  Contribute or be excluded?
    Posted by Miranda Hill

     

    • Yes Miranda, we are being asked (required!) to evolve and adapt at an ever faster rate – I do believe that most people can do this, much of it is a mind set shift – accepting that change is the new normal and that we must adapt and accept this. Those who reject and or rail again this change will probably not find success.

  7. Naveen Sivakumaran says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Fans of Mashable

    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    The problem with most SMEs is that they believe setting up Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc is sufficient to build a strong online presence. What they fail to realise is that a string presence requires commitment of resources and a willingness to truly engage with your audiences. Also, great content is essential to have your voice heard!
    Posted by Naveen Sivakumaran

     

  8. Lisa Marie Dias says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Fans of Mashable

    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    Yes Naveen, so many people believe that 'if you build it, they will come' when in reality, the work is ongoing. And I totally agree that great content, delivered on a regular basis is certainly essential!
    Posted by Lisa Marie Dias

     

  9. Mike Duncan says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Fans of Mashable

    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    totally agree, all social media platforms are amazing tools but do take commitment to maintain a presence
    Posted by Mike Duncan

     

  10. Jo Dionysiou says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Fans of Mashable

    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    Never set up a social media platform and then leave it. You must always maintain every presence and if you can't cope then pick your top 3 and do them well.
    Posted by Jo Dionysiou

     

  11. Lisa Marie Dias says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Fans of Mashable
    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    Definitely Jo! I find so many people who are overwhelmed but then back off and do nothing. Much better to just focus on even one to begin and make some real progress. I read a good post yesterday where the author mentioned social media 'fatigue' http://outspokenmedia.com/social-media/the-secret-to-social-media-fatigue – and said how it is not so much 'fatigue' as it is disappointment. I think that many people get discouraged when they bite off more than they can chew and then give up completely. Helping people really understand how they can use these tools to meet THEIR goals is one of the most valuable services we can offer!

    Posted by Lisa Marie Dias  

  12. Naveen Sivakumaran says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Fans of Mashable

    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    Many employees (marketing or online marketing) are also constantly faced with the issue of having to justify social media to their bosses. While we understand the potential of social media channels and the fact the future of businesses lies in how well they interact and engage with with their customers, it may at times, be difficult to pin-point ROI for social media initiatives. The fact that most CEO's do not get is that social media and online marketing provides more in terms of ROI than traditional media can. Honestly, how many of us actually look up at billboards or watch TV commercials any more?
    Our job lies in educating CEO of yesteryear of the potentials of SM and online marketing and how important it is that business pull their socks up and begin to commit resources into SM strategy to truly connect with their customers. When faced with the question, what's your ROI on Twitter, I respond "can you put a ROI on your mother's love for you? You can;t, but you know you are everything you are today because of her. It's very much the same with social media."
    Posted by Naveen Sivakumaran

     

  13. Lisa Marie Dias says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Fans of Mashable 
    Discussion: Simple Tasks to Optimize and Maintain Your Online Presence

    Thanks Naveen, I like to equate the roi of SM more along the lines of live networking but I see your point 🙂 And yes, the key will be in educating people on the proper use of SM for business (people still think silly kitten videos when they think of SM) and of the real potential for actually increasing your bottom line.

    Posted by Lisa Marie Dias