By now, most of you are aware of the power of social media for business (over 88% of you, to be exact). As much as social media can be beneficial for attracting your audience and creating a community around your brand, it can also hurt you if it's not used properly!
We decided to do the hard part for you so that you don't have to. Scroll down to check out our list of 5 common mistakes that are made on social media (that you can avoid).
MAKING IT ALL ABOUT YOU
Have you ever hung out with someone who only talks about themselves? It really sucks, doesn’t it? To be successful on social media, it’s important to ask yourself ‘Why does this matter to my ideal client?’ Show that you’re multidimensional and you’re more than just a product or service! Solve people’s problems, give them something they’ll appreciate, cater to their interests! Your followers will recognize your authenticity and genuineness.
TRYING TO USE EVERY PLATFORM
An important step in creating a social media strategy is determining what social media platforms are best for you. For example, if you’re sharing visual content that is geared mainly towards women, you should be present on Pinterest. If you’re a B2B, your focus should be on LinkedIn. Remember, it’s better to do one thing really well than ten things poorly.
NOT HAVING A STRATEGY
Without a strategy in place, you’ll have no way to measure results! Taking the time to create a social media strategy will help you define why you’re using social media, what your goals are and who your target market is. From there, you can attract the right audience, build a community around your brand and see results! Without a strategy in place, you can expect a lot of frustration to follow. Determine what platforms you'll focus on (more about this below), understand your competition, create your content strategy, and select some social media management tools you help you with scheduling and planning.
TRYING TO USE EVERY PLATFORM
An important step in creating a social media strategy is determining what social media platforms are best for you. For example, if you own a women's fashion line, you should be present on Pinterest. If you're a B2B, your focus should be on LinkedIn. If you're either of these companies, you shouldn't be focusing on creating a Snapchat account. Remember, it's better to do one thing really well than ten things poorly.
NOT ENGAGING WITH YOUR AUDIENCE
Social media engagement is a two-way street! You can't expect to build a loyal following by posting content and waiting for the comments to start rolling in. Use social media to build relationships. Say hi to new followers, ask questions, respond to comments. Leaving your followers hanging could cost you your business and hurt your chance of building a community around your brand.