By the time you read this, many of us will have already abandoned the well-intended personal goals we set for ourselves for the new year.
Don't let the same happen when it comes to your business, You've done the work to analyze last year's spending and results, researched opportunities for this year, and set goals to track and measure. Do yourself a favor and set up some safety measures NOW so you don't fall into the trap of letting those good intentions fall by the wayside.
Fortunately, today's technology means there are plenty of apps and platforms that can help keep all of us on track.
Social Media Dashboard
Regardless of what you may have heard, social media is a full-time job. In order to be effective, posts need to be relevent and engaging. It's nearly impossible to be ahead of the curve and simultaneously capture the current zeitgeist. To save some bandwidth, utilize the many scheduling services (Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social, to name a few) that will help you generate original content, create inspiring images and schedule posts at your convenience. Be sure to take advantage of features that allow you to track the types of posts and time of day that perform best with your audience.
Project Management Software
We are most efficient when workflow processes are set and adhered to. Project management software (think Blackboard, Trello, HubSpot, etc.) keeps us on deadline by bypassing the inefficiencies of poor communication, ineffective work relationships and procrastination. See who's working on what and when it's due with just a tap and a swipe!
Email Marketing
We've said it before and we'll say it again. Email marketing may seem a little 'old school' but it remains ones of the most effective ways to remain top-of-mind with your customers. Direct email software (Constant Contact, Mail Chimp, Fresh Mail, for example) now allows you to gain even more insight into your email campaigns.