Becky Robinson's Blog, page 23

We DO Judge a Book by Its Cover

We’ve all heard you should never judge a book by its cover, but the reality is we do—and readers do. Authors spend months and sometimes years writing their books, but just minutes making decisions about how the book looks and feels.

The visual elements of a book creation may seem to be less important than the content, but a strong title or a powerful cover can actually be the difference between strong sales and the remainder table.

It’s critical to spend time on the decisions around how your book looks and feels. These design elements can have as much impact as your great content! Here are six areas to pay attention to before publishing your next book.

Book Title

Publishers have expertise around what language drives purchase—knowledge that authors may not possess. The more collaborative the title work is, the more likely you are to land on a real winner.

We suggest authors, in conjunction with their publishers and marketing partners, come up with several titles and subtitles, then ask their perspective readers for input. This can be gathered via an email survey or by requesting input on social media. You’ll often be surprised what moves readers to buy books. It’s worth hearing from them.
Keep in mind that your book is aimed at a very specific audience. The title needs to resonate with the intended audience, not just with you.

Cover Design

We’ve seen many terrific books fail to reach their potential because of poor cover design. We really do judge a book by its cover—so make sure yours is a standout!

Do some research in your category to understand current best selling colors, styles, and imagery. The wrong font can make a brand new book look dated and old.
Research what successful covers in your category look like, and check out books that aren’t selling well to see how their covers differ.
Get feedback. Just because you love a color doesn’t mean others will. You want a cover that works!

Book Description

The title and cover will lure the readers in, but the book blurb (on the back cover or inside the dust jacket) should really hook them.

Make sure this short description accurately captures the power and value of your work. It should clearly indicate who will benefit from the book, what questions it answers or solves, and what makes you qualified to write on the topic.
Descriptions should speak directly to your target audience, and succinctly and powerfully give them reasons to buy and read your book.

Quality Endorsements

Authors often leave the decisions about title and cover design to the last minute, and rush through them while they stress over endorsements. We’re here to tell you endorsements matter—but unless you have an “Oprah” sticker on your book, those endorsements have little impact on sales.

Switch your priorities. Spend more time and energy coming up with a title and cover that will rock the world of your audience, and less time on endorsements.
Quality matters more than quantity. Three rock solid endorsements mean more than twenty from CEOs whose names readers don’t recognize.

Internal Formatting 

How your book looks on the page is important, and authors can and should give thought to these decisions.

Fonts that look dated or distracting can actually hurt your book, no matter how good your message may be. Take, for example, Comic Sans. Now, we don’t expect any publishing companies will recommend this font—but there are others that may be less dramatic which can still make your book clumsy to read or appear dated and old. Fonts matter!
Page formatting matters, too. We’ve all picked up a book with tiny print, small margins, and few spaces—and those are books we normally then put right back down. Make sure your formatting is easy on the eyes and comfortably readable.

Copy Editing

This is the area where many self-published books fall flat! If you have mistakes in your book—spelling issues, grammar issues, or factual errors—readers will notice. Most readers are generally kind people, so they will forgive maybe one error . . . but much more than that, and you begin to lose their trust. Don’t skimp on quality copy editing!

Content is only the beginning of a successful book launch. Design can have a powerful impact!

Getting feedback and expert help can make the process easier for the author, and ultimately, more successful for the book.

The post We DO Judge a Book by Its Cover appeared first on Weaving Influence.

Goodreads: A Key Author Tool

When we ask new clients if they have a personal account on Goodreads, we are often met with blank looks. Goodreads? What’s that?

If you’re having the same reaction right now, then grab a cup of coffee and keep reading—because if you’re an author and you’re not using Goodreads, you’re missing out on a key tool in your marketing box!

The Basics

If you’re not even sure what Goodreads is, then let’s start there. Goodreads is social cataloging website that allows authors and readers to keep track of what they’re reading, find recommendations for what to read, collect quotes, participate in group discussions, and more. To summarize, Goodreads is low-commitment social media for bookworms. Launched into the online world in January 2007, sold to Amazon in 2013, and reported to have more than 90 million members as of July 2019, Goodreads is a readers’ resource. 

How To Use It

That depends on whether you are a reader-only, an author, editor, or illustrator. In addition to my official page that links to my work as an editor, I personally use Goodreads to keep track of every book I read, discover new authors and books that interest me, and write reviews (which are conveniently linked to Amazon through Kindle—so I finish an ebook, immediately write an Amazon review, and it also publishes on Goodreads).

Most authors already have a page on Goodreads, they just don’t realize it and haven’t taken ownership of it yet. If your book has been listed on the site by your publisher, publicist, or a member of the reading public (like your launch team), then your name is automatically linked to that book… and maybe a whole lot more. 

By claiming your official author page, you are able to link yourself (with the help of Goodreads or one of their librarians) to the books you’ve written, optimize your page to include a current bio and headshot, upload book trailers, link to your Twitter account and blog or website, and add quotes from your book(s) for others to find and share. Think of it as free publicity!

Why It Matters

I have lost track of the number of times I have searched Google for a quote, an author, or a book title and the top result is from Goodreads. It’s even better when the top result takes me to a page or a quote for an author whose page I have assisted in optimizing, because it means it’s working. 

Once the initial set up is done, Goodreads requires very little time. You might find that you like being able to catalogue your current reads, or you might find that you only log on once or twice a year to make sure everything’s still up to date. Either way, if you’re not utilizing this resource, you’re missing out on search results, connecting with readers who are looking for books in your specific genre, and the opportunity to reach a wider audience for your book. 

 

For information about how to get started as a verified author on Goodreads, visit: https://www.goodreads.com/author/program.

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Why Amazon Reviews Matter

How many of you have ever purchased—or not purchased—a book because of a review you read? I’ll be the first to admit that many of the books currently on my nightstand, waiting to be read, are there because of an Amazon or Goodreads review. Although I occasionally add a book to my list because a blogger I respect speaks highly of it, most of my purchases are a direct result of the feedback of others after they’ve read the book. 

If you’ve ever been a part of any book launch team, I’m sure you’ve been on the receiving end of pleas for launch week reviews, post-launch reviews, and anniversary reviews. If you’ve ever wondered why they matter, go back up and read that first paragraph again. 

Reviews = sales

If you received your copy for free because you joined the launch team, one of the best ways to repay the author is by leaving a review on Amazon. Maybe you didn’t buy the book, but your honest review may very well be the deciding factor in someone else purchasing it. 

More reviews = more clout

When I look at review numbers and see fewer than ten, I’m skeptical about the value of the book, and reconsider making a purchase. However, if I see more than 50 or anything in the 3-digit realm, it causes me to pause and start reading what other people have written about it. If 75 people gave this book a 4 star rating, or higher, maybe I should check it out.

Honest reviews = greater trust

Over the years, I’ve worked with authors who were upset when anyone left anything lower than a five star review. What I’ve tried to express—not only as a book launch consultant, but as bookworm—is that well written, honest 3- and 4-star reviews often sway me more than the clearly biased 5-star write-ups. I have plenty of 3-star books on my shelf, and a lower review doesn’t make them bad, they’re just not up to my view of what constitutes a 5-star rating. 

So if you’re sitting there with a pile of books that you’ve read and you’re wondering whether or not you should go leave a review on Amazon (and Goodreads), the answer is a resounding YES. 

But before you go, here are a few tips to keep in mind…

If you haven’t actually read the book, don’t leave a review. If it’s a friend’s book, don’t write something about how it’s a “must read” when you skimmed it out of obligation. 
If you didn’t love it, don’t leave a 5-star review. Be honest, because review readers will be more apt to take your honest review into consideration when making a decision to purchase. That being said…
There’s no reason to write a critical review of a book you received for free. You can write a 3-star review, but make sure you give valid reasons for the lower rating, and spend most of your time focusing on what you did find helpful or enjoyable. 
You may not be able to review it. This is especially true if you received it for free from a friend or family member. Amazon’s guidelines about who can and cannot leave reviews are pretty clear on this, and they’ve been cracking down on this in the last couple of years.
It’s never too late to leave a review. Even if you don’t get around to reading a book until 6 months or a year after the launch, go ahead and write something for that book you got two years ago and finally finished. Not only will it make the author’s day to see a new review pop up, it will tell potential buyers like me that people are still reading it.

 

A Note to Authors: If you’ve shipped out books and sent follow up but are still not seeing as many reviews as you would like, don’t hold it against your tribe. Life happens, people are busy, and not every book is a homerun with everyone. Exercise grace, and don’t take it personally when those positive 3-star reviews come in… it may still make someone like me click “buy now.”

The post Why Amazon Reviews Matter appeared first on Weaving Influence.

Amazon Rankings Explained

Writing a book takes a tremendous amount of time and dedication. Once that book is released to the world, it’s every author’s hope that it will be well received by readers, and make a best seller list.

While we don’t discourage our authors from aiming for a list, we do suggest reframing those goals to become an Amazon best seller instead.

Level the Playing Field

Here’s why: best seller lists are rarely an accurate and impartial reflection of book sales, and often the requirements are stacked against non-fiction leadership books.

The New York Times lists requires at least 10,000 pre-orders through specific retailers to even be considered, the Wall Street Journal requires 3-5,000 book sales in a week, and the USA Today list groups all book sales together so business/leadership books are up against the latest John Grisham novel.

In addition, all the lists tend to ignore bulk sales, limit the success of self-published or non-traditional books, and under-count ebook sales. 

Amazon has a much more level playing field. Rankings are based on sales from hour to hour. The Amazon algorithm is also part of the best seller equation, and while how that algorithm works is not transparent, it doesn’t seem to favor any type of books. Ebooks, self-published, and non-traditionally published books all seem to get fair consideration.

Rise to the Top

While there are no firm sales numbers required to make an Amazon list, the rough estimate is that it takes approximately 500 sales in one day to crack the Top 100, and 2,000 sales in a day to make the Top 10. To increase the odds of having a Top 100 designation, we encourage our authors to focus marketing efforts around launch day. 

For some niche titles, hitting the Top 100 isn’t feasible—but being in the top of a category is, which is why choosing sub-categories for a book is so important. For the greatest success, we recommend getting very specific with your book’s categories.

Selling just 10-20 books in the right category can propel a title into the Top 10 and trigger a Best New Release banner—but don’t think you can just buy 20 of your books and hit the jackpot. Amazon only credits two book purchases per IP address.

What is Your Goal?

A best-seller designation is a great start, and can be leveraged in future marketing efforts—but a list designation alone will not sell books. Making a best seller list is a great ego boost, but selling books for years to come is a great career and financial boost. Which one are you after?

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Female Firebrands

Have you learned how to recognize the role of privilege at work and how it can be used for positive change? Do you understand what it means to be an informed, empowered advocate for women?

This week’s featured book provides wisdom and advice to help you develop tools and techniques to stand and speak up on behalf of yourself and others, when it’s both difficult and necessary. It shares how to get better at recognizing ”little indignities” you don’t have to tolerate, and how to increase awareness of your own blind spots and biases so you can learn from them.

Female Firebrands

Women of all generations will nod in recognition at the stories of thirteen professional women from diverse backgrounds and industries as they recount the career challenges they’ve faced and how they have overcome bias, sexism, and the power imbalance. If you’ve ever wondered what a true firebrand is, you’ll find out in Mikaela Kiner’s powerful first book.

Full of practical examples and valuable insights and techniques, Female Firebrands is an honest, modern, and solutions-oriented guide for dealing with situations working women know all too well: sexual harassment, not being taken seriously, and being talked over, passed over, underpaid, and under-appreciated.

Just like millions of other women who are trying to navigate the workplace every day, the firebrands are whole people, dealing with work, family, balance, confidence, and the need to stay motivated and strong. These role models stand out from the crowd with their inspirational stories, not just because they’ve been successful in their careers, but also because they’re mission driven, doing good in the world, and making a difference for all women.

Female Firebrands is an honest, modern, and solutions-oriented guide for dealing with situations women know all too well: sexual harassment, not being taken seriously, and being talked over, passed over, underpaid, and underappreciated. Mid-career professional women will read this book and know they’re not alone—and women earlier in their careers can save years of heartache and frustration by learning what’s worked for women who came before them.

Meet the Author

Mikaela Kiner has an MS in Human Resources Management, is a certified executive coach, and is an experienced consultant. In 2015, Mikaela founded Reverb, a leading provider of innovative HR services for startups and growing companies in the Pacific Northwest. An HR leader for nearly twenty years, Kiner enjoys coaching leaders at all levels and helping companies build healthy, inclusive cultures. She’s been quoted in Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, and The Muse and is a member of the Forbes Human Resources Council. Mikaela is married to Henry, a musician, artist, and teacher. Their two children, Simon and Sidonie, are good at challenging the status quo and are a constant source of learning and laughter. She lives with her family in Seattle.

Praise from Readers Like You

“I loved this book, both for the stories that resonated and for the really useful techniques and tips for not just women but anyone today who aspires to be better in the workplace and in the world. The format was fabulous, introducing a set of powerful “firebrand” women with unique and ubiquitous stories and then launch straight into gritty conversations on privilege, #MeToo and a challenge to be honest about our own biases even and especially amongst women. I was left with both a sense that I am understood and ideas and tools to prepare for the inevitable opportunity where I step up to be a better ally for others or myself. “ —Janelle Aberle, 5-star Amazon review

“This book has been a fantastic read, it’s like you’re sitting down to coffee chats, or attending panel presentations, as you take in all the relatable stories and great advice. I finished the book in a matter of days, but I find myself coming back to it for additional wisdom when I need it. I especially love the ‘end-of-chapter checklist’ targeted to various audiences. In my opinion, this is a must-have for your female empowerment library!” —Adrienne, 5-star Amazon review

“Mikaela Kiner provides a thoughtful and thought provoking journey as she tells her story and shares the stories of her ‘firebrands.’ As a man who likes to believe I ‘get it,’ it’s … let’s call it ‘fascinating’ to see where my blind spots are. I appreciate that she is equally direct and unapologetic about women’s behavior as well as men’s. Overall, Female Firebrands is a clarion call for an uplifting form of gender equality. One that benefits both men and women tremendously. If we listen and internalize the insights she shares, the world gets better right away.” —richonmi, 5-star Amazon review

“This book provides immense validation on what it means to be a woman in business. Whether you work for yourself or a company, oppression exists, and it’s often manipulative and tricky to name. Mikaela‘s book gives us language to talk about our experiences and ideas to do better for ourselves and each other. My favorite parts were hearing from women of color and learning how to break cycles of competition, judgment, and backstabbing between women. Thanks to Mikaela for this modern-day guide for workplace equality.” —Erin Donley, 5-star Amazon review

Learn More

Buy the book on Amazon for yourself or a friend, or leave a short review of it.
Visit the book page to learn more about the book and download free resources.
Stop by the website to learn more about Mikaela and her work.

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Our Social Media Wish List for 2020

Every year, social media platforms roll out new features and functionalities. For 2020, here are the new features we would like to see. Are you listening, Instagram?

Ability to share content on Instagram

Yes, I know, if someone tags an account, that account can share content in Stories—but that’s a clunky system. Using a third party app is clumsy and time-consuming. We would like to see easily shareable content in app, just like on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.  You can do it, Instagram!

Posting from your desktop on Instagram

I think this would benefit everyone, not just social media marketers. Sometimes you want to edit your video or photo, and posting from desktop (or laptop) would just make that easier.  

Clickable links in social posts

Instagram only allows clickable links in a profile bio, or in a swipe up on stories. Wouldn’t it benefit everyone to be able to post clickable links in post copy? It can’t be that hard—Facebook does it. Do you two ever share code? You’re sister companies: time to partner up.

Opting out of Sponsored InMail on LinkedIn

No one likes a commercial they have not approved popping up in their social messages. Facebook Messenger requires that you opt-in before a sponsored message can come through—why doesn’t LinkedIn do the same? I don’t even look at my DMs on LinkedIn any more because 95% are solicitations. For the record, advertisers, this is not the best advertising buy. And LinkedIn, you can do better.

Better fake account blocking

Social media may be the one thing we complain about more than politics, and that’s partly because of all the fake political stories.  Rather than blocking (or snoozing) friends and family who share these phony and manipulative stories, I wish the social platforms were better at detecting and blocking misinformation campaigns driven by bot posting. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to delegate oversight of our first amendment rights to social media companies—but the fake news profiles could be identified and routed out if these companies would take more responsibility.

These are some of the changes I would like to see in 2020. What do you wish the social platforms would do differently this year?

The post Our Social Media Wish List for 2020 appeared first on Weaving Influence.

Social Media Marketing Trends for 2020

Social media is an ever-changing landscape, and as we head into a new year and a new decade, we can expect to see some new ideas emerge and some old tactics to gain greater momentum.  

Because billions of people use social media daily,  marketers have flocked to the platforms. But it’s increasingly difficult to break through the noise and get your message seen and heard. That’s why it’s critical to have a social strategy and to know how usage of each platform is changing.

These are the social trends we recommend capitalizing on in 2020.

Video still rules. 

Video has been the most powerful content form for years. That’s not changing. In fact, a study by Cisco predicts that more than 80% of all content on social media will be video in just two years. Time to get on board!

Ephemeral content increases engagement.

This trend emerged as a powerful marketing tool in 2019, and it will only get stronger in 2020. Ephemeral content is content that is available for only a short time and then typically disappears (but not always). Facebook and Instagram stories are examples of this. Nearly 500-million people use ephemeral content every day, according to SocialMedia Today. If your personal or company brands aren’t showing up, you’re missing an engaged and interested audience. In our work, we’ve seen a 20% growth increase for clients who post ephemeral content at least weekly, over those who don’t post.  

Twitter will continue to lose users.

The exodus has been so strong that Twitter has decided to stop sharing how many users it’s losing, but we do know that by late 2018, Twitter was down another 5 million users to 321 million users total.  That may sound like a lot of users—but compare that to more than one-billion for Instagram and you get a clearer picture. Engagement is down drastically on Twitter, too. It’s not MySpace yet, but it’s on the same trajectory.

TikTok may open up to ads.

If you haven’t heard of it, TikTok is a short video platform that is growing in popularity among teens and young adults. If it begins accepting advertising, you’ll see brands targeting a younger demographic flock to the platform. We don’t recommend it now for our thought leaders, but we continue to monitor for the future. Again, video is king here!

Authenticity has never been more important.

Social media has allowed many brands and influencers to create ‘fake realities’ on social media. Consumers are wise to this, and as a result, the more authentic content will get more and more engagement. Users want honest messaging, and they’ll continue to turn away from purveyors of the phoney. Instead of creating a ‘brand’ on social, we recommend showing up authentically for the greatest success. Time to get real, folks.

Over the course of 2020, new trends will likely emerge; but as we start the year, brands who stay on top of these 5 trends in social media marketing will see greater exposure, engagement, and overall success.

Happy social posting!

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This Year, Resolve To Do Less

Imagine a big glass jar—maybe an old fashioned Mason jar. Maybe there’s a crusty rubber ring around the top. It has seen quite a few jams, jellies, and pickle batches. It’s constantly being filled and emptied, which is a good thing—after all, this is its purpose. This is your life.

Now imagine an assortment of rocks—some jagged, some worn smooth by time, and some beautiful crystals. All of these need to fit into the jar, because they are your priorities. Time for yourself. Time with your spouse. Time with your kids. That book proposal you’ve been wanting to write. The marathon you’ve dreamed of running. The keynote speech you’ve been trying to grab.

Now imagine a pail full of pebbles—similar in many ways to your rocks, but smaller in size. (To someone else, actually, these might be the rocks. That’s ok! To YOU, these are pebbles.) 

The pebbles represent smaller priorities—all the urgent interruptions that you don’t even know about yet. Things other people are going to ask you to do. Things you feel obligated to do. Things you must do. Things you’re sure are expected of you—maybe even things that represent success to those around you or in your industry.

If your goal is to fit as many of these items—big rocks and small pebbles—into your jar as you can… which needs to enter the jar first? 

You can probably imagine it easily—if the pebbles tumble in first, they’ll pack together tightly to cover the bottom half of the jar. There might be room for a few big rocks, but certainly not all of them. Major things get left out entirely.

On the other hand, if you put the bigger rocks in the jar first, they’ll all fit. The pebbles will flow easily around them, filling the crevices. (Or maybe you prefer a minimalist look, with few to no pebbles at all.)

Here’s the point: order matters.

With a new year comes a fresh new jar, empty and ready to be filled with whatever you designate. Most people imagine the New Year as a chance to set new goals—to add something to the jar. We add a habit or map out a plan for success—usually on top of our existing responsibilities.

But saying yes to one thing always means saying no to something else. Think about that: every minute of your day, every day of the year, you’re choosing to devote time to one set of tasks at the expense of all the millions of other things you could be doing. 

In 2020, what are you saying yes to?

Does it line up with your goals, or do you feel most of the time like you can’t say no? What is going into the jar first—and why?

Interruptions and necessities will enter the picture at some point. No man is an island, after all. But this is a chance to empty your jar and start saying no, or at least, not yet. Maybe a few things need to stay out permanently.

Bottom line: not everything can go into the jar—at least, not all at once.

For the health of your jar and for your own sanity, maybe it’s actually time to start saying no before you can start saying yes again. 

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What Makes A Good Year Good

Over a longer than usual lunch, I met with two team members for a year-end review.

One of my colleagues said, “This has been a really good year.”

It has been, for so many reasons. 

We don’t call the year good because it’s been easy, without challenges. 

We faced several challenges this year, including a crazy couple of weeks mid-year where two team members moved on to new opportunities and one other team member reduced her hourly commitment from full-time to half-time. It’s always hard to lose people, and onboarding new team members is a demand on time and attention.

We don’t call the year good only because we’ve experienced unprecedented financial success.

We’ve exceeded our basic financial goals this year: to operate without accessing our line of credit and to maintain a consistent paycheck for me. In addition to achieving those basic goals, we also:

created more profitability this year than in our company’s history
generated the highest revenue since the company began

Some of our financial success this year came from cost reductions implemented in 2018 — responsible stewardship of our resources. We also achieved additional success by choosing to take on more comprehensive contracts that increased demands on our team’s time and attention.  

We don’t call the year good only because of the ways we’ve increased benefits for our employees.

My first few years in business, providing insurance seemed like something way beyond me. This spring, when a departing team member mentioned lack of health care benefits as a key factor in her decision, we decided to explore the feasibility of adding insurance. I happily discovered that Gusto, the company we’ve partnered with on payroll, also connects us to affordable options for healthcare. We began offering benefits in July 2019, and in doing so we’ve created a more stable and sustainable workforce for our company into the future. 

We don’t call the year good only because of the new relationships we’ve formed this year.

We’ve begun several new collaborations with clients this year that are a source of joy and delight to our team. I am constantly grateful for the opportunities we have to serve wonderful people as they seek to share powerful and world-changing ideas. 

We don’t call the year good only because of the memorable moments we’ve shared as a team.

One of my favorite moments happened in San Diego, at sunset, during the Berrett-Koehler book marketing event. Driving back to our hotel after a gathering, I happened upon Mission Beach, minutes before sunset. As I neared the beach, I found a parking spot open along the crowded block of trendy restaurants and shops. My daughter, team member, and clients poured out of the car and we made it to the beach just in time to take off our shoes and socks, wade into the Pacific, and watch the sunset. 

There are a thousand reasons we call this year good, but the one my colleague mentioned that means the most to me is this: our team is more cohesive than ever before. 

We enjoy being together. At our team gathering this fall, many met others in person for the first time — yet the experience was not of strangers gathering, but of old friends reuniting. Though many of our team members work remotely, our company culture is one of collaboration and connectedness. 

It’s been a really good year!

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How Effective Was Your Social Media Marketing this Year?

One of the questions we often get is: “How will I know my social media marketing is successful?” There’s no easy answer, because it depends on what you’re trying to achieve. There are thousands of numbers you can track, but we like to look at the numbers that demonstrate momentum, content value, and website activity. We do this by monitoring the following metrics, and suggest you do the same.  

Comparing numbers month-to-month will help you detect trends, identify high-performing content, and adjust your approach to better serve your audience and reach your goals.

Social Metrics

Fan/Follower Numbers are the basic metric to monitor. You want to see continual growth—that’s the sign of a healthy social media account. If you start losing a lot of fans/followers over the course of several months, that’s a big wake-up call. However, a dip one month and a rebound the next is normal.  

Engagement numbers are one of the most important metrics. Engagement lets you know how your content is resonating with your audience. If you post and post, and your engagement remains under 1%—the benchmark for success on social media—that’s a sign you need to adjust either the type of content you’re posting or the language you’re using. 

This year, engagement has been tough on both Twitter and Facebook. While there are no silver bullet solutions, adding more images, videos, live content, or ephemeral content will often help boost engagement numbers.

Website Analytics

Website activity is an important way to determine how your social media efforts are working. We like to track (via Google Analytics), from month-to-month, which social platforms are driving the most website traffic. It’s a great bit of information to help you adjust your social media strategy and discover more about where to find your most engaged social community. 

We also like to see where the website visitors are going.  Tracking behavior on your site can give you ideas for future blog posts and/or videos by spotlighting the content your web visitors are consuming. 

You may have noticed these metrics don’t touch on ROI. That’s because social media is the top of the marketing funnel—it’s the place to build awareness of your work and brand. If you’re seeing social growth, and an increase in awareness about you and your work, then your social media efforts are paying off.  

Keep an eye on these numbers throughout the year, and you’ll constantly be evaluating and tweaking your approach—so when you do an annual review, you’ll be able to focus on creative ideas for the coming year!

How do YOU measure success on social media?

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