If you’ve ever felt like social media is a bit like herding cats—unpredictable, slightly chaotic, and ever-changing—I’m right there with you.
After a long day of meaningful therapy sessions, diving into the world of social media can feel daunting. And if you’ve ever hesitated before posting, wondering if your caption hits the mark, or if your video shares just the right message, I’ve been there too.
Here’s what I’ve learned in my years as a social media manager: becoming a wizard at social media isn’t an overnight process, nor does it require you to be anything other than yourself. It’s about understanding what works for you, communicating in a way that resonates with your followers, and maintaining a steady rhythm. And you know what? If you need help, that’s completely okay.
One of the most common struggles clients come to me with is just not being able to ‘stick at’ social media, so in this article, I’m sharing my top 4 tips to get (and – more importantly – stay) consistent on social.
Lean into what you enjoy
You might feel pressured to write long, informative captions, but if writing isn’t your thing, it can turn into a chore instead of a pleasure. Perhaps you’ve been forcing out posts, hoping you’ll eventually find joy in it. But here’s a secret, you don’t need to love writing to succeed in social media.
Maybe video content or podcasts feel more authentic to you? Or short, meaningful Instagram captions? The key is finding a medium that you enjoy and that your followers also appreciate. This isn’t about fitting a square peg into a round hole – it’s about finding the perfect fit for you!
Questions to ask yourself:
- What type of content do you enjoy creating the most?
- Does your audience like this content too?
- Does it feel sustainable to create this content regularly?
Plan ahead
Imagine you’re going on a road trip. You wouldn’t just jump in the car without a route in mind, right? The same principle applies to social media. It’s essential to have a clear content plan in place – consider it your roadmap to the consistency you’re looking for!
A content plan helps you visualise what to post, when to post, and where to post. It guides you through the landscape of hashtags, captions, and images, turning the process from a guessing game into a well-thought-out strategy.
First things first, identify themes or topics that are relevant to your practice and will engage your audience.
Then, decide on a frequency that works for you – and stick to it.
Lastly, don’t forget to review and refine your plan. Pay attention to what’s working, what’s not, and tweak your strategy accordingly.
Planning ahead can be a real lifesaver!
Streamline your content creation process
Being efficient with your time is crucial. How much time do you spend writing a post? Designing graphics? Shooting videos? It’s important to take note and be mindful of where your time goes. This way, you can figure out how to work smarter, not harder.
One way to save time is by using Canva templates. Having ready-to-use formats for your posts, graphics, and captions can make such a big difference. It means you won’t have to start from scratch every time, and you can focus more on the message you want to share.
Here are my top 3 steps for streamlining your content creation process:
1) Take note of how long each task takes
We all know how social media can become a time blackhole. One minute you’re brainstorming ideas for your next post, and the next thing you know, hours have flown by!
So, let’s get a grip on this, shall we?
Keep an eye on the clock and jot down how long you’re spending on each task – from that spark of an idea to hitting the ‘post’ button. By knowing where your time is going, you’re already on your way to reclaiming it.
2) Think about ways to speed up your content creation
Now that you’ve cracked the code on how much time each task takes, it’s time for some fun! Think of it as a game where the goal is to get faster and more efficient without compromising on the quality of your content.
You could try “batching” – just like making a week’s worth of meals on a Sunday afternoon, you could spend a day creating all your posts for the week. Or consider calling in some reinforcements. If creating graphics feels like trying to understand a foreign language, why not hire a freelancer or use tools that do the heavy lifting for you?
And remember, your content is a goldmine! That blog post from last month? It could become a series of tweets, a video summary, or even some cool quote images. Get creative with it!
3) Use templates to save time
Let’s be real, starting from scratch can be a drag. So why not make life easier with templates? They’re like your favourite pair of jeans – reliable, easy to use, and you can dress them up or down depending on the occasion.
Platforms like Canva have a ton of ready-to-go templates. Or better yet, let your creative juices flow and design your own. This way, each post will have your unique flavour, and you’ll save heaps of time.
This also works for writing. Having a structure for your posts, whether it’s an advice post, a Q&A, or a client’s success story, can be a huge time-saver. All you have to do is plug in the details each time.
Don’t be afraid to get help
I’m sure you’re used to saying it to your potential clients, but it’s worth reminding yourself: It’s okay to ask for help.
Managing social media for your therapy practice is a big job, and sometimes it’s too big for one person. Remember, you don’t need to do everything yourself!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider outsourcing some (or all) of your social media tasks. That way, you can focus on what you do best: helping your clients.
Get in touch to discuss how I can help you manage your social media without the overwhelm.