A step-by-step guide to building a social media team from scratch

Maybe you’re spinning social media into its own department, away from the sheltering wings of a larger department. Or maybe you’re re-imagining your existing team and building something that’s perfectly suited for your needs rather than cobbled together over years of evolving needs and technologies. Whatever the case, starting from scratch gives you an opportunity to assemble a social media dream team.

In Ragan’s recent Social Media Conference, Elizabeth Solomon, VP at Fleishman Hillard, and David Johnston, head of social media for the Department of Defense, presented “Building & Leading a Social Media A-Team” with practical tips for getting the most out of your new crew.

The first phase is building the concept of your team.

A team is only as strong as its leader. That’s why the first step is looking critically at yourself.

“We can have the most amazing people in the world working for us, but if we aren’t working to advocate for them, they may not stick around, or they may not be able to reach their full potential,” Solomon says.