5 Steps to Kick the Social Media Habit

While I completely agree that social media can be a powerful marketing tool for many small businesses, is it really necessary to check, and re-check the content you posted? Because what happens after you’ve checked your post (again)? You get sucked down the rabbit hole of social media content consumption for endless minutes that often turn to hours.

Time is not our enemy… its wasted time. And there are few things in this modern world that waste time faster than mindless social media scrolling.

The best way to grow your business on social media is to create more than you consume, which can easily be done by scheduling your content ahead of time. If you’re having trouble planning your social media in advance, click here to download my guide to help kick start your posting creativity. But how do we break the social media habit once you’ve been sucked into it?

Below are 5 easy and FUN tips to do just that!

Step one: Do you know what time it is? Time to get a watch! 

Eliminate the excuses you have to reach for the phone. The number one excuse that I use is, “I’m just going to check the time.” But when we check the clock on our phones, we’ve now opened the gateway to check emails, and then social media, and then suddenly hours have gone by and nothing of true value has been accomplished.

Step two: Turn off notifications.

Turn off all of your notifications except the ones that allow people to get a hold of you in emergency situations. If someone is messaging you on Instagram or Facebook, it can probably wait until the next time you open the app. If you want to be REALLY productive, turn off the notifications for your email as well and schedule specific times in your day to check emails from your computer.

Step three: Find a powerful substitute.

A lot of times, we’re not reaching for our phones because we need to work (although, that’s the excuse we often tell ourselves). We’re reaching for our phones because we’re bored and looking to be entertained literally every second of the dang day. How else could you be entertained without your phone? Is there a book you’ve been dying to read? A hobby or craft you can take up (I used to knit ALL the time before iPhones!!!)? An instrument you can learn or relearn to play? A course you can take? A dog you can walk? An exercise program you’ve been neglecting? A recipe you’d like to try? A new Netflix series you could watch? Just make sure you have something to reach for instead of your phone. 

Step four: Set up a new morning routine.

I start my morning with this daily planner and a hot cup of tea. Then I meditate and do a quick yoga practice before hopping in the shower. I know a lot of people who start their day with daily devotionals as well and absolutely swear by them. Still others that start with a quick stretch and an intense workout. Just make sure it’s something that will help you avoid checking your phone before you even get a chance to get out of bed. I’ve also heard that plugging your phone in across the room instead of keeping it next to your bed can help. Hmmm maybe it’s time to buy an alarm clock!

Step five: If all else fails, ask for help.

If you really feel strongly that your social media is a key component in your marketing plan, then hire someone to interact and reply to comments on your behalf for 1 hour a day. You can also ask this person to alert you if a message comes through that needs immediate attention. This doesn’t have to be someone that you place on payroll (right away). If you know a friend that is looking for a little extra money, or if you have a teenager that would like to earn a little extra spending cash, that could work great for now! Hey! With all of the time you’ve reclaimed from social media and repurposed into other marketing efforts, maybe you’ll find that you’ve become so profitable, that investing in a virtual assistant might be just what you need!

Not sure what to do with all of this new found free time? Have you seen my 10 minute social media challenge yet? Sign up here to receive 5 days of fun daily marketing strategies that are guaranteed to help you grow your business, not just your following.

And if you need more help creating content ahead of time, click here to book a free discovery call to see if commercial brand photography is the right option for you and your business.