What is the difference between a social media strategy and a social media plan?

The difference between a social media strategy and a social media plan is fundamentally about scope and purpose. A social media strategy is a high-level guiding framework that defines the overall goals and objectives of your social media efforts. It answers fundamental questions like what you want to achieve, who your target audience is, and what key messages you wish to communicate over time.

On the other hand, a social media plan translates that strategy into actionable steps. It includes the specific tactics, timelines, content types, and channels that will be employed to meet the established goals. The plan is often more detailed, outlining the day-to-day and week-to-week activities that make the broader strategy come to life.

This distinction helps ensure that while strategies offer direction and purpose, plans provide the operable means to achieve those ends.