How to ... Maximize social media in five minutes a day

Social Connect CEO Batya Maman has helped more than 300 clients maximize their social media presence, including a large group of dental practices.

“Social media is about reach and activation,” says the Naples-based Maman. “Understanding the platform and its purpose is more important,” than simply generating likes, which can be an inauthentic, misguided gauge for success.

Maman offers some tips, five-minute fixes, that can incrementally improve engagement and ultimately increase business. The list includes:

Edit and update the “about us” page: Include all information for a potential client or customer, such as links to other social media, hours of operation, events and more.

Reviews are important: Ratings speak louder on social media, says Maman.

Birthday business: Utilize daily birthday notifications to categorize these “friends” or remove obsolete connections. Maman creates groups such as Realtors, dentists and local connections. Organizing them means her posts remain relevant. Targeting specific groups takes just seconds. Says Maman: “If you do that 365 days a year, you will have a Facebook that is literally a sales machine.”

Post consistently: This is imperative toward building a reputation with a target audience. “In social media, you are who you position yourself with, and you are what you post,” Maman says. Consistency is key, but originality is not required. Maman encourages the “power of sharing.” Repost a community event or inspiriting quote. Within six months, your audience will know your brand. “By the time they reach out to you, they're calling you to close, not ask questions,” says Maman.

Utilize LinkedIn: “I've built my LinkedIn to be big, to be my salesperson,” says Maman. She leverages networking events and connects with new contacts on LinkedIn. (She adds ideal targets to Facebook, too.) LinkedIn generated 40% of her business last year, including referrals. “Paying for LinkedIn is very important, there is no employee that will accept that job for 50 bucks a month.” Delete irrelevant skills. Display only those you want to monetize, Maman advises.

Trust and verify: “Almost every account has listings, and if you are not verified, it means you are not listed,” says Maman. Also ensure your settings are public.

Always assess: “The most important thing is to put stock in what is working and what is not working for you,” says Maman. “Don't show me your likes, show me your money.”

— Alicia Ceccarelli