Why Conduct a Social Media Audit?

Hey there! If you're managing social media for your business or nonprofit, you know how fast things can change in the digital world. Every now and then, it's super important to take a step back and look at your social channels with fresh eyes. That's where a social media audit comes in handy.

A social media audit helps you evaluate your strategy, see how your content stacks up against others, and find new ways to improve. To make things easier, we've put together a handy social media audit template that guides you through the process step-by-step.

Why Use a Template?

Using a template keeps you organized and ensures you don’t miss any important details. Whether you're new to social media or have shifting business goals, a social media audit is your go-to tool for getting back on track. It’s like giving your social media a much-needed check-up!

Ready to conduct your own social media audit?

Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a Social Media Audit

Step 1: Build Your Competitive Landscape

First things first, you need to know who your competitors are. This helps you benchmark your performance and find inspiration. Create a list of your top competitors and gather their social media data in one place using a tool like Rival IQ. This will help you easily compare and see where you stand.

**Tip:** Check out this quick video on how to create a competitive landscape in Rival IQ.

Once you have this set up, use the first slide of your template to add your logo, brand name, and reporting period. You can also showcase some of your best posts as a preview of what’s coming up in your report.

Step 2: Summarize Your Profiles

Next up, create a profile overview. List your current bios for each social channel, noting any hashtags, emojis, links, or calls-to-action (CTAs) you use.

Also, peek at your competitors’ bios to see if you can learn anything. You can save time by using a tool like Rival IQ to see all this information in one place. Look for key differences or ideas to enhance your bios.

Step 3: Review Cross-Channel Performance

Now, let’s look at how your audience and engagement are doing across all channels. Compare the current reporting period to the previous one. Did you gain followers? Is your growth rate steady or flat?

Note any changes in your engagement rates too. How do they compare to industry standards? Our Industry Benchmark Reports or live benchmarks can give you an overview of how your industry is performing.

Step 4: Dive Into Channel-Specific Metrics

Time to focus on each social channel individually. For each channel, note key metrics like the number of followers, number of posts, total engagement, and engagement rate. Summarize any significant changes. For example: "We increased our posting frequency from 2 to 4 posts per week and saw our engagement rate rise by 10%."

Step 5: Compare Performance to the Competition

To get a full picture of your social media performance, compare your metrics to those of your competitors. See where you rank on each channel within your industry. Make note of these standings to gain perspective on how well you’re doing.

Step 6: Review What Worked and What Didn’t

Take a close look at specific posts. Identify your top and bottom performers to see any patterns. What made the best posts successful? Was it a specific format or campaign? Also, analyze why some posts didn't do well. Maybe they lacked engagement or didn’t have enough reach.

For example, Crumbl Cookies found success with giveaways. Use this information to inspire your future content strategies.

Step 7: Create an Action Plan

With all this information, it’s time to create a to-do list. Highlight what worked, which channels are performing best, and how you stand out from competitors. Choose up to four actions you want to try next.

Summary: Boost Your Social Media Strategy with an Audit

Conducting a social media audit is key to enhancing your brand's online presence. By following these seven steps, you can evaluate your current performance, benchmark against competitors, and identify areas for improvement. Start by building a competitive landscape and summarizing your profiles to refine your messaging.

Analyze cross-channel performance and channel-specific metrics to understand what resonates with your audience. Compare your results to competitors to gain insights and refine your strategy. Reviewing top and bottom posts helps you pinpoint successful content tactics.

Create an action plan to implement your findings and set clear goals for growth. With these insights, you'll be equipped to engage your audience more effectively and stand out in the social media landscape. Transform your strategy and achieve social media success!

Ready to conduct your own social media audit?