Introduction
I love to run. In secondary school, I focused on running not as an active sport but for the fun of it – I mean, I am 6 feet something and so, soccer and basketball were my sports but running was also there – just for the fun of it and clearly to end quite several debates on who was the man and who wasn’t.
I grew up away from all that seeing that a lot of runners paid so much physical and mental attention to running and clearly, that wasn’t on my agenda. I tried keeping up with the super athletic team – I can still recall their names – but I failed woefully, hence the need for me to understand why racers prepare intensely for a race but also, pay attention more so to marathons.
Studies have revealed that on average it takes a racer 20 weeks to prepare for a race. This is at the minimum because considering the goals at hand, it may take more to get gold. Interesting, isn’t it?
How is Social Media a Marathon?
Well, just like marathon racing, social media is a long process particularly when it comes to businesses and getting the necessary conversions. For instance, one post can not give you the desired goal but a continuous showcase of your business can do that magic. Want to know more? Book a call with us today!
Now, below are five reasons why social media is a marathon and not a sprint:
- Consistency Over Time
- The Change in Algorithms
- Relationship Building
- Trends and Adapting to Them
- Avoiding Burnout
- Consistency Over Time
Building a meaningful presence on social media requires consistent effort over an extended period. Posting high-quality content regularly, engaging with your audience, and growing your followers all take time.
This also gives you an edge in building a community/strong holding around your business, leading to a high return on investment [ROI] for you; and so, building this requires time and patience and not rushed work.
- The Change in Algorithms
A social media algorithm is a complex set of rules and calculations used by social media platforms to determine what content to show to users in their feeds or on their timelines.
These algorithms are designed to personalize the user experience, prioritize content that is most relevant to each individual, and keep users engaged on the platform. Social media algorithms are used by platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube, among others.
However, there is a constant change in these algorithms which may affect your business contents are been seen and distributed. This requires ongoing effort to stay relevant and adapt to these changes.
- Relationship Building
If you read our article on Digital Marketing having the similitude of dating, you’d understand that there is a constant need for relationship building and improving on that, that way it is possible to gain the necessary profits as required.
Relationships are the bedrock of trust and so, people tend to go into businesses with those they trust – hence, the need to build these relationships.
So instead of curating and circulating broadcast messages, why not build a relationship first on social media? This way, you’d easily gain the hearts and minds of your clients before anything else is achieved.
- Trends and Adapting to Them
Social media is continually an evolving cycle, so why try to run faster than the trends that can change within a fleeting period of 24 hours?
You need to understand that we owe ourselves the graciousness of learning and adapting to these trends – gaining the prerequisite knowledge of killing and winning over time – which we owe to our business.
Learning from your analytics and adjusting your approach is an ongoing process, hence the reasons why social media is a marathon and not a sprint.
- Avoiding Burnout
Sprinting on social media can lead to burnout, as it can be mentally and emotionally draining to maintain a fast pace for an extended period. Consistency allows for a more sustainable approach.
So like the old Nigerian saying would go, “No go dey do pass yourself”, learn to take it one day at a time.
Conclusion
In summary, while there may be short bursts of activity or campaigns on social media, achieving lasting success and impact generally requires a measured, consistent, and strategic approach.
It’s about nurturing your online presence, building relationships, and adapting to changes in the digital landscape over the long haul, much like marathon runners pacing themselves for the entire race.
