Photo by Jason Goodman

As a project manager, it can be hard to maintain a solid list of all your contributors, strengths, weaknesses, and deliverables. Your team can have excellent communication, but getting knocked out of alignment on social media is still possible, often because they all have different skills and unique personalities that they all bring to the table. For a brand to have a consistent presence online and effective communication with its audience, it is crucial to ensure your team stays on the same page. There are a few things you can do to ensure your team stays aligned when working in the social space. 

Implement a Style Guide 

A style guide is a set of standards for all corporate communications. If you’re a team that values light-hearted communication and fact-based communication, or if you have key terms that are important to your messaging, all these ideas need to be stated and must be available to everyone. It sets guidelines on using colors, fonts, hashtags, logos, and other essential elements. The style guide can be used for many things, but it can also help your team understand how to create content and respond to customers with a consistent voice. Your team needs this to reference when communicating for the brand; otherwise, things can get confusing. 

Promote Open Communication 

Encourage your team to communicate openly with all contributors. This can give each team member the chance to ask for help when they need it and brainstorm ideas as a team. Even though everyone has their own specific task, collaborating can help keep everyone aligned. This open communication encourages team bonding, making working together easier for everyone. This support system will allow everyone to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and receiving feedback. As a project manager, having this open communication can also help you be hands-on with your team. 

Provide Ongoing Training 

In an industry like social media, where new trends and tools are consistently emerging, it is essential to provide ongoing training. Training sessions with the latest trends and tools help keep your team up to date for content creation, and it is another way for your team to be on the same page. If the team is developing the same skills, their work will be more aligned. You can encourage your team to watch webinars, attend workshops, or offer training opportunities such as NISM’s Agency SMS Certification.

Conclusion 

Getting all collaborators on the same page can be done by implementing a style guide, promoting open communication, and providing ongoing training. By doing so, you can ensure your social media efforts are cohesive and effective. Your team will be on the same page in the social space, and your voice will stay consistent.

 

Author: Taylor Munghia

NISM Social Media Strategist Intern

Taylor Munghia is an intern for the National Institute for Social Media, who is working towards achieving the Social Media Strategist certification. She is a recent graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in marketing. She is also educated in social media content and strategy.