Wednesday, May 14, 2025

The Solopreneur Social Media Checklist?


90 percent of businesses say social media is crucial to their marketing. But the point is, are you doing yours right?



In a world where (according to an Adweek study), over 90 percent of businesses say social media is crucial to their overall marketing strategies, solopreneurs arguably have the most to gain and lose via social networks.

Sure, those platforms often have a reputation for being total time-sinks or wastelands of marketing ROI. But savvy solopreneurs understand how to use platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to spread the word about their businesses. In many cases, these same solopreneurs are growing those businesses and bottom lines without spending a dime.

But, when you're using social media to pursue networking opportunities or seal the deal with new customers, how do you know whether you're using your time wisely or merely spinning your wheels?

Fear not. The following checklist is a guide for solopreneurs looking to pinpoint their social strategy and use their time on these platforms wisely, to build their investment in their business.



1. Pick A Primary Channel

Simply put, you need to decide on a single social channel that's going to command most of your attention. That's not to say you can't focus on both Facebook and Instagram, for example, but trying to be in multiple places at once will inevitably burn you out.

For many solopreneurs in the B2B space, Facebook is the number one channel to focus your efforts. There's a good chance that your clients and customers are already connected to the platform in some way, shape or form, especially considering that users spend an average of 50 minutes on Facebook per day.

Niche businesses, however, are booming on Instagram, especially those within B2C industries such as fashion and beauty. Growing and monetizing Instagram followers is arguably easier than ever; meanwhile, Instagram has one of the highest average order values via ecommerce, at $65 per order.

When in doubt, you can pick your primary channel by answering one simple question: "Where are my clients and customers hanging out?" If there's a clear answer, then you know where to start.



2. Don't Spread Yourself Too Thin

Despite popular belief, you don't need to be active on each and every social site. In fact, there are no "must-have" networks for solopreneurs, truth be told.

But, think about it: There's absolutely no way you can effectively manage a presence simultaneously on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn by yourself. If you try, you'll neglect at least half of your social sites.

Solopreneurs have two options when it comes to attacking the various social channels available.
  • Pick a primary channel coupled with one or two secondary channels (for example, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn).
  • Focus on a primary channel while using a social automation solution to help push content and maintain a presence on secondary channels
For example, apps such as Buffer and Sprout Social allow solopreneurs to curate and queue content to their social network of choice without lifting a finger. While such solutions do require a monetary investment, they allow your brand to be in multiple places at once, so to speak.

3. Never Stop Networking

The old adage, "Always be prospecting," rings incredibly true for today's solopreneurs on social media. There are seemingly endless opportunities to connect with new clients, win over customers and share your business's content all at once.

Private Facebook groups based around your industry represent potential gold mines of new business. Likewise, sites such as LinkedIn put you on the same level as CEOs and industry bigwigs.

4. Position Yourself As An Influencer

Oftentimes, making yourself heard via social media means playing the role of a bigwig yourself. By positioning yourself as an influencer, you grow your authority within your niche and make yourself more attractive to potential clients and customers.



Some smart yet simple positioning strategies on social media include:
  • Thoughtfully responding to questions and comments on industry-related Facebook or LinkedIn groups
  • Republishing your own content to the various social channels, including LinkedIn's own publishing platform
  • Regularly commenting on the updates of major players in your industry, showing that you've got the chops to be a bigger player yourself
Any combination of these strategies not only puts your name out there, but also publicly displays your commitment to your industry.

5. Look For Opportunities To Curate Social Proof

Especially if you're a new solopreneur, social media represents a great place to curate social proof on behalf of your business.

Ever leave a comment that got tons of positive feedback? Created pieces of content that just about went viral? Have clients who've given you a digital "thumbs up" or a public "thank you" via social?



If so, you can use such social proof as a way to seal the deal with future clients and customers.

By highlighting your positive social experiences either on site or throughout your marketing materials, you can break down the trust barrier for any skeptics who may not think you're the real deal.

6. Professional Imagery Goes A Long Way

This point is crucial but so easy to ignore: Something as simple as your professional headshot can make all the difference when it comes to networking via social media.

If you want to be taken seriously, present yourself accordingly. Bathroom selfies and party pics aren't going to cut it if you really want to make an impression on your audience.



7. Don't Let Your Profiles Gather Cobwebs

Finally, don't let your social presence fall to the wayside. Period. Consistency is key to gaining followers and traction via social: The more you post, the more you will grow an audience that's hungry for what you have to say.

On the flip side, if a certain channel is netting you absolutely no engagement, don't be afraid to cut it loose for the sake of your time and energy.

Today's solopreneurs are living and dying by their social presence. By sticking to this checklist, you can save yourself from scrambling for a social strategy and focus on what really matters: growing your business.

Guest Authored By Nathan Chan. Nathan is the publisher of Foundr Magazine, a digital magazine for young, aspiring and novice stage entrepreneurs. He has had the pleasure of interviewing rock star business leaders to find out what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. Follow Nathan on Twitter.





“Today's solopreneurs are living and dying by their social presence.

By sticking to this checklist, you can save yourself from scrambling for a social strategy and focus on what really matters:

Growing your business..”


    • Authored by:
      Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, Colorado. I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)
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    Tuesday, May 13, 2025

    Social Media And The Real World For Parents?


    Summer couldn’t get here soon enough. 

    After 10 months of parenting two middle-schoolers on different schedules, the lazy, unplanned days of the past few weeks have been a welcome break..



    But now that my kids are at an age where they don’t have their daily activities planned for them, they’re also having to learn to manage their free time — and determine how much of it they will spend streaming entertainment right into their little eyeballs.

    My boys, who were born just a hair before the touch-screen generation, have never relied on iPads and smartphones to keep them entertained at restaurants or adult functions. However, it’s getting increasingly difficult to extricate those devices from our daily lives.

    My kids frequently challenge my decisions about technology. Apparently, I’m the “only one” who checks my kids’ cellphones (I’m not) and the “only one” who won’t let my not-yet-13-year-old get Snapchat (also, not).

    I might be the only one, though, who asks my kids to put cellphones away when they’re in the car. Am I being too restrictive? Too permissive? Should I not have given them phones?



    According to a 2024 report from Common Sense Media, teens spend an average of nine hours a day consuming online entertainment. According to a less scientific study I’ve conducted in my own household, this can make them feel cranky, entitled, left out and jealous. But it can also provide access to loads of music, fun activities, TED talks and cute puppy videos, while allowing them to keep in touch with friends and plan in-real-life gatherings where — I assume — everyone will be on their phones.

    In search of advice on how to parent teens whose social lives hinge on a click, I turned to Ana Homayoun, a Silicon Valley-based expert on teen behavior. Her book Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World comes out next month.

    Homayoun acknowledges that even social-media-savvy parents may be missing the mark when it comes to guiding kids’ online interactions. “We’re having the wrong conversations with our kids around social media,” she says. “When we focus on fear and judgment — when we say ‘don’t do that because you’ll get in trouble,’ or ‘if you do that, you won’t get into college’ — kids will just go underground and find other ways to hide their online interactions.”



    Instead of scaring our kids or monitoring them 24/7, she says, we should focus on healthy socialization, effective self-regulation and safety. “We need to help kids make better choices intrinsically,” says Homayoun. “Give them freedom and responsibility, but with bumper lanes.”

    Technology allows us to monitor our kids around the clock. But should we?

    But how can parents instill those values in kids in a world where tech trends evolve far more quickly than our parenting skills? Homayoun shared five tips to help parents cultivate social media wellness for their kids, regardless of the current trends.

    Check Your Kid's Phone

    “Particularly in middle school but also in high school, kids should know that parents can ask for their phones at any point and be allowed full access,” Homayoun says. While some parents take a more hands-off approach because, they say, they want to respect their kids’ privacy, it’s important to make the distinction between privacy and safety. “Twenty-four-hour access doesn’t mean 24-hour snooping,” she says. “It means that a parent is still responsible for monitoring what a minor does online.” Homayoun points to the recent incident where Harvard revoked admission for 10 incoming freshmen because of offensive memes they posted in a private Facebook group as an example of why parents should monitor their kids’ use of social media.



    And it’s not just what they put out there, it’s also what they’re receiving. “If you find something you don’t like, talk to your kid about why you find it inappropriate — and then ask them what they think. Once they verbalize their thoughts, it allows them the opportunity to think things through and come up with their own set of values.”

    Be App-Savvy

    “If your kid is on it, you should be, too,” Homayoun says of apps and social media platforms. “You don’t have to have an account, but at least try it out so you can have informed conversations about it. If your kids know that you understand the social media they’re using, they’re more likely to come to you to talk about issues that pop up.” And when those issues do pop up, Homayoun suggests helping your kids come up with a crisis communications team of three “support people” and three “clarifiers” to help them deal with the problem. “When something happens online that makes them uncomfortable, who are your kids going to reach out to? It can be Mom and Dad, but it can also be a trusted family member, teacher, coach or even the Crisis Text Line.”



    Help Kids Understand Their "Why"

    Inspire kids to act out of internal motivation instead of fear, Homayoun says, by helping them build their own filter. “Encourage your kids to ask themselves ‘Why am I picking up my phone? Am I bored, am I lonely, am I sad? Am I just uncomfortable because I’m in a room where I don’t know anyone?’ Or ‘Why am I posting this? Does spending time on this app make me feel energized or drained?’ It helps them make decisions that reflect their own values and choices and separate their online experiences from in-real-life ones,” she says. Asking themselves “why” also slows down impulsive online communications, and encourages kids to make smarter choices.

    Set Clear Ground Rules

    Talk to your kids about appropriate social media use before you give them a phone or allow them to download a new app, says Homayoun. “Once you hand it over, they’ll be too excited to focus on your instructions.” Clearly state rules and expectations, and stick with them as much as possible. In our family, this includes not putting anything online that you wouldn’t want your friends’ parents to read (because several of them will); getting permission before downloading a new app; and checking phones into my office at bedtime. Homayoun also encourages parents to involve kids in creating a family mission statement about responsible technology usage.



    Create Opportunities for Digital Detox

    “Give kids a budget to plan their own screen-free adventures — don’t just say, ‘Okay, kids, get offline and come do some chores,’ ” Homayoun says. She also points out that kids need to learn how to be okay with being offline. Parents can start by modeling that behavior:

    No phones at the dinner table, for example, or no checking texts while you’re talking with your kid. And while most kids won’t admit it to their parents, an enforced break from technology could be just what they need. “Research shows that 24 percent of our teens feel like they’re online all the time,” Homayoun says. “When parents put restrictions on how much and when kids can use technology, it can be a relief.”

    Guest Authored By Adrienne Wichard-Edds. Adrienne writes about parenting and cultural issues. She's a "New Yorker gone south, Cooker of Food, Writer of Words and Mother of Boys. Follow Adrienne on Twitter.





    "Set Clear Ground Rules

    Talk to your kids about appropriate social media use before you give them a phone or allow them to download a new app, says Homayoun. “Once you hand it over, they’ll be too excited to focus on your instructions.”

    Clearly state rules and expectations, and stick with them as much as possible. In our family, this includes not putting anything online that you wouldn’t want your friends’ parents to read (because several of them will); getting permission before downloading a new app; and checking phones into my office at bedtime.

    Homayoun also encourages parents to involve kids in creating a family mission statement about responsible technology usage.."


      • Authored by:
        Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, Colorado. I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)
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      Monday, May 12, 2025

      Physicians - Make Or Break Careers On Social Media?


      For doctors in the digital age, your social media fingerprint has the power to either advance or damage your career..

      Whether you're using social media to post pictures of your vacation in the Cayman Islands or to reach out to colleagues regarding a challenging patient, the line between personal and professional, as well as what's appropriate, can sometimes become blurred.

      Research has shown that many physicians using social media report minimal formal training in professional conduct online, as well as a lack of awareness regarding which guidelines to follow.

      A number of recent studies have highlighted the level of unprofessional social media content posted by physicians.

      These included profanity, references to (or appearing to be) intoxicated, and sexually suggestive photographs. They also included possible HIPAA violations, which have the potential to damage careers.

      While this behavior has been observed across all career stages, including attending physicians, the levels were highest among residents and recently graduated physicians.



      It's easy to get caught out when talking about patients online, as an article in The Hospitalist highlighted.

      Even supposedly innocuous identifying features can "turn a seemingly harmless post on social media into a patient privacy violation."

      "Any physician who uses social media has to be mindful and conscious about protecting private patient information even on personal accounts," said Toni Brayer, M.D., chief executive officer of Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation in San Francisco, CA.

      But your online presence and interactions can also be powerful tools, said ophthalmology resident Steven M. Christiansen, M.D., an avid blogger and Twitter user based at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

      How can you turn social media to your advantage? And what guidelines can you follow to make the most of professional social media?



      Using Social Media For Your Reputation

      Matt Dull, M.D. - who is due to start his critical care fellowship at the Spectrum Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI - became interested in using social media professionally when he heard a keynote speaker at a national medical conference discuss the fact that patients were looking for providers on social media.

      "He said that being engaged with your patients on social media will be of increasing importance in the years to come," Dr. Dull explained.

      As a resident, he said, he doesn't need to engage patients outside the hospital. But, he added, "In the future, I will be looking for ways to reach patients and potential patients through social media."

      Indeed, an increasing number of patients turn to doctor rating sites such as Rate MD, Yelp, and Vitals when choosing a physician.

      "We know that [those sites] are increasingly important avenues for patients seeking more information about healthcare providers," said Dr. Brayer. "We've learned that 'stars' matter and we celebrate good reviews internally and respond to any patient complaints directly for our physicians."



      As Dr. Christiansen noted, "We have worked too hard in our training to let a few poor ratings keep patients from coming to see us. Social media can help us create and establish an online presence we control."

      One of the greatest benefits of social media for physicians is the ability to connect with colleagues to improve diagnostic and other medical skills.

      "I only recently started using social media for professional purposes," said Dr. Dull. He started by joining the International Hernia Collaborative, a large Facebook group for surgeons to discuss complex hernia operations.

      "From there, I found all of the other professional ways to leverage social media," he said. "I now regularly find interesting journal articles, medical blog posts, and discussions of new therapies through Twitter."

      Indeed, a survey of 153 Dutch clinicians found that 76 percent of them used Twitter to extend their network of colleagues, while 71 percent used it to update their colleagues about their work.



      Pathologists, for instance, use social media to share images with colleagues, students, patients, and even the general public, while professional medical organizations such as the American College for Chest Physicians use it to promote their specialty and provide education, which extends to patients.

      "I use social media to promote health and wellness and as a way of letting people know what is happening in my organization and in the community," said Dr. Brayer. "As a physician I have a strong voice and see myself as an expert with useful information."

      Twitter is also becoming a hugely effective tool for communicating content live from medical meetings.

      Dr. Christensen and his colleagues published a study in Ophthalmology in August 2016, comparing Twitter activity during the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 2014 and 2015 meetings. The "tweets" reached 23.7 million Twitter users in 2014, and 24.5 million in 2015.



      Social media is also a powerful outlet for advocacy, says Dr. Christensen.

      A 1-minute YouTube video that highlighted his ophthalmology-related discussions with congressional representatives was viewed 1,700 times in the first week of its posting.
      "I can tell you that my involvement in social media has opened up countless opportunities to network with others both within ophthalmology and many other specialties." -Steven M. Christiansen, M.D.
      Whether you are going to use social media to connect with your colleagues, reach out to potential patients, or educate the general public, adhering to professional guidelines is key to protecting yourself and turning social media to your own advantages.

      Practice Safe Social Media

      The American Medical Association (AMA), and most specialty medical societies, have developed ethics policies on the use of social media during the past few years.



      These recommendations tend to revolve around the privacy of both you and your patients. Here is a summary:
      1. Do not post any patient-identifiable information anywhere, ever.
      2. Set privacy settings on media sites to protect your own information and content, but know that even if you restrict your posts to your own network, the information can leak out. A good rule of thumb is to never post anything that you wouldn't want to see in a peer-reviewed journal.
      3. Maintain appropriate boundaries of the patient-physician relationship. Just because you are online doesn't mean that the rules are relaxed.
      4. Separate your personal and professional content. Set up a separate Facebook page to promote your practice or talk about professional issues, and leave the personal one for family and friends - not patients.
      5. Say something if you see a colleague posting unprofessional content that may violate professional standards.
      6. Recognize the potential consequences of your online life, including negatively affecting your reputation among patients and colleagues.
      Dr. Brayer has first-hand experience of putting these guidelines into practice. An emergency department physician who Dr. Brayer friended on Facebook frequently mentioned patients that she had treated.


      "Even though no names were used, it bothered me to see those posts," Dr. Brayer said. As the AMA policy suggests, Dr. Brayer told her friend that these posts could violate privacy rules.

      "I would recommend health professionals should never post anything with stories about patients or conditions, even if they think they are shrouding identity. It's too close of a line to walk and patient privacy is our oath and responsibility," Dr. Brayer said.

      If you are new to the professional side of social media, here are five simple tips to follow:
      1. Start a professional Twitter feed and share things that you are already doing - for example, medical conferences that you attend, clinical research, and important clinical studies in your field.
      2. Keep the personal and the professional accounts separate. For instance, have two Twitter handles, two Facebook pages, and two Instagram accounts.
      3. Make it clear that you are speaking only on behalf of yourself and are not representing your employer.
      4. Don't ever give medical advice in a public forum.
      5. Expect criticism from colleagues. Use that to educate them on the value of social media done right.
      Related Article: Healthcare Organizations Missing The Social Media Boat?

      "With all of its problems, there is no doubt that social media is here to stay," Dr. Brayer commented. "As healthcare professionals we should use this tool as much as possible to promote health, nutrition, medical-political points of view such as information on the Affordable Care Act, healthcare legislation, and changes in Medicare and Medicaid. I believe the public is hungry for accurate health news they can trust."

      Guest Authored By Debra Gordon. Debra is an independent healthcare communications consultant specializing in health, medicine, and health policy for consumer, medical, and corporate audiences since September 1999. Her particular specialty is healthcare reform, with in-depth knowledge around the Affordable Care Act; new healthcare delivery models, including Accountable Care Organizations and Patient-Centered Medical Homes; Medicare and Medicaid policy; value-based purchasing; health information technology; quality and cost issues; managed care; and patient empowerment. Debra is one of only a handful of medical writers who can confidently communicate about the juxtaposition of healthcare reform and the clinical side of medicine for a variety of audiences, ranging from consumers to physicians to healthcare organizations, businesses, and vendors. She brings more than 25 years experience in the healthcare field as a newspaper reporter covering health and medicine for two major daily papers; provider relations manager for a mid-sized managed care organization; book editor and author; and, for the last 15 years, an independent medical communications consultant. Follow Debra on Twitter. 





      With all of its problems, there is no doubt that social media is here to stay," Dr. Brayer commented.

      "As healthcare professionals we should use this tool as much as possible to promote health, nutrition, medical-political points of view such as information on the Affordable Care Act, healthcare legislation, and changes in Medicare and Medicaid.

      I believe the public is hungry for accurate health news they can trust.."


        • Authored by:
          Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, Colorado. I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)
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