Our passions can provide us with lessons to apply to other areas of our lives, especially when it comes to social media. When I’m not immersed in my job here at Radian6, I love following the latest food news, collecting recipes (Hello Pinterest!), and testing out new dishes in the kitchen. Here are some social media takeaways inspired by my love of cooking.

Step 1: Do the Prep Work

Any new cook needs to learn the basics of the kitchen, ranging from using different tools and utensils to knowing the appropriate temperature to simmer or sear. When beginning your social media journey, familiarize yourself with the various social media platforms, how they function, and what makes each of them unique and helpful for your concoction.

Step 2: Start with a Recipe

Recipes provide the starting point to build out that perfect dish, from ingredients to the finished product. Your social media strategy is no different. Determine and clearly define what your goals are, the tools and resources you will need, and how you will measure your efforts.

Step 3: Add Some Spice

Switching out ingredients, adjusting amounts, or adding extra spice are all great ways to put a personal stamp on a dish. These principals can be easily incorporated into your social media strategy. Experiment with different approaches and content to see what resonates most with your community. Most importantly, stay true to who you are as a brand and let your personality shine.

Step 4: Serve it Up

Chefs always keep the needs of their guests in mind. If Sue has a peanut allergy and Paul doesn’t like seafood, Pad Thai is off the menu. Listen to what your online community is interested in and asking about. By giving them what they need, you will have a much more satisfied and healthy community than simply serving up what you think they want.

Step 5: Be a Gracious Host

With some exceptions, meals are best enjoyed in the company of others. The same is true for your social media strategy. Reciprocate and be proactive with your engagement on a daily basis. Say a simple, “thank you,” for a compliment, share a funny photo or video, or ask a question on a topic of interest.

Step 6: Learn From Your Mistakes

I’ve had too many failures in the kitchen to count. As you develop and perfect your own social media strategy, you will inevitably run up against walls and potential crises. You may get burned. Be prepared with a crisis management plan so you can act quickly to resolve the situation and identify key takeaways for your strategy moving forward. The kitchen is always there waiting for the next great recipe so get ready to jump back in!

These are just a few takeaways inspired by one of my passions. What social media lessons can your own passions teach you? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Tags: engagement, monitoring