How I Manage My Social Media Channels in 2.5 Hours Per Week
I've been writing online for a bit over three years now and am closing in on 100,000 followers across multiple social media platforms.
But I only spend about 10 minutes on social media each day, plus a 90 around minutes over the weekend for writing new content and planning the week ahead.
Here’s the system I use to share my story and insights without letting social media dictate my life.
Weekly Newsletter
I started writing a weekly newsletter in March 2021, and since then, it has evolved but the core process remains unchanged. Every Friday evening, I dedicate about 45 minutes to writing my newsletter. This session allows me to reflect on my week and share valuable lessons for other parents and busy professionals.
I use Notion to collect ideas, links, and thoughts throughout the week. By the time I sit down to write, I already have a collection of content ready to be organized into a coherent story. This method streamlines the writing process, making it efficient and effective.
Daily Engagement
My daily social media engagement is minimal, usually about 10 minutes. I rarely post manually unless something spontaneous comes up. For most of my posts, I use tools like Metricool, which help me plan and schedule content across multiple platforms. This approach allows me to maintain a consistent presence without being constantly tied to my devices.
Weekend Planning
On weekends, I spend around 45 minutes planning the content for the upcoming week. This session includes creating new content, such as writing posts or recording videos, and repurposing high-performing content from the past. Repurposing content is a great way to maximize the value of my work without having to create new material constantly.
Content Creation Tools
For longer form content, like blog posts or comprehensive guides, I use Otter to transcribe my thoughts while I'm on the go. Speaking my ideas aloud helps me draft content quickly. Then, I use Notion AI to refine and organize these drafts into clear and concise pieces which I then edit to polish them off.
Cross-Platform Strategy
My main platform for testing new content is X (formerly Twitter). With its large audience, I can quickly gauge what resonates. Successful posts on X are then repurposed for LinkedIn and Instagram, with adjustments for each platform’s format.
Book Writing Process
I recently wrote a book, and instead of starting from scratch, I leveraged three years' worth of blog content. This existing material formed the core of the book, which I then refined and supplemented with new insights and practical tips.
Time Management Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of my weekly social media management time:
Daily Engagement: 10 minutes per day, totalling about 1 hour per week.
Weekly Newsletter: 45 minutes every Friday.
Weekend Planning: 45 minutes each weekend.
In total, I spend about 2.5 hours per week managing my social media channels. This time-efficient system allows me to maintain a strong online presence while balancing my responsibilities as a husband, father, and CEO.
Let me know about your systems in the comments below, so we can learn from each other! (And if this post was helpful, please share it with your audience too).