We know it's important to set personal goals each year, but it's also important to set goals for your social media efforts as well. Now that 2012 is underway, it's time you put some thought into what you want to accomplish this year with your social media efforts. By setting goals for yourself in this area, you can develop a plan of action to obtain your goals and move your social media efforts to the next level.

Consistency

To maximize the benefits of social media you have to remain consistent with your efforts. If you’re lacking in this area, maybe it’s time to set a goal for yourself. Make sure you utilize your social media accounts at least once a week. Remain as active as possible by interacting with those on your followers and friends list.

Followers

It really doesn’t matter how many followers you have on social networking sites, but the quality of followers. You can have 1,000 followers, but if 80% of them aren’t relevant to your page’s topic, they are pointless followers to have. Take time evaluating the strong points of your media audience. Then, create a plan to ensure your correctly targeting and interacting with a relevant audience.

Contacts

Continue to develop contacts. Everyone can be found on social media sites, so take advantage of that! Connect with people who maybe helpful to you in some way or another. Connect with people you share the same interests or career path with. Building and maintaining contacts is a great way to boost your social media efforts, and your career/business in the process.

Business Growth

If your goal behind social media is to promote your business, make sure your efforts are on the right path to ensure your business’s success. Evaluate how well your social media efforts are affecting your business’s growth. Make adjustments where you see fit to promote your business’s growth.

Have you set social media goals? Why or why not? If you have, share some of your goals with us!