Mistakes People Make with Their Social Media Accounts
You started using social media before you even owned a business, as a simple way to keep in touch with your friends. Now that you run your own company, though, it’s impossible to deny the potential that it gives you. You can connect with customers and consumers, post ads, use text, images and videos, and find an audience that is already interested in your products — no matter where you are physically located. It’s a tool that business owners from previous generations would have absolutely loved. However, that doesn’t make it impossible to fail. You still need to know what steps to take and what mistakes to avoid so that you get the most out of your social media profile. Today, we’ll focus on some of the most common mistakes:
Failing to Stay Active
Social media is all about activity and interaction. You need new posts, videos and photos every day. You need to engage with customers. You need to update the page with regard to your profile pictures and other branding efforts. Social media takes consistent work. Even if it’s just 15 minutes per day, the key is doing it every day. Don’t just build the page and assume buyers will flock to it. They won’t. Staying active is how you gain exposure and attention.
You can overdo it and post too much, but don’t worry: The totals are pretty high. Some experts say that exceeding five Facebook posts per day is too much. Your users don’t want to get spammed constantly. But, if you’re just looking into this now, odds are you’re not in danger of over-posting.
Only Using It for a Short Time
Along with activity, social media is all about long-term growth. You don’t want to just do it for a few months and then stop. You’re barely getting started at that point. You want to think about using the profile for years. This should be a fixture of your branding, marketing and communication program. It does not breed overnight success. Don’t give up before you get where you really want to be.
Failing to Engage Personally
Sure, you don’t have time to sit around and engage with people on your social media sites 24/7. It may take time to answer questions or offer information. Just make sure you don’t fail to do so entirely. Don’t ignore people who reach out to you, don’t stop posting or using the site for months on end, and don’t use too much obvious automation. If you personally engage with people and show them that they matter, they’re more likely to keep following the page and to buy from you.
Getting Too Caught up in Trends
Social media trends are fast and furious. They arrive, you see them everywhere, and then they’re gone. You can use these types of posts a little bit, as they connect with people. For instance, you can post a funny meme that fits with your business. But don’t post these types of things exclusively or keep using them long after they have fallen out of style. This makes your page look dated and irrelevant, and it takes away from the serious business image you’re trying to create.
Failing to Consistently Brand Your Company
Before you get started, make sure you know exactly what you want your brand to be. What image are you trying to create? Who do you want to connect with? How do you plan to do it? Get everything in order and then be consistent. Use that branding with everything you do. If you change up your branding — maybe it’s not working — change it all at once and commit to it.
Getting Started with Every Single Platform
Different platforms do different things well. Instagram is great for image-based posts like product pictures or promotions. Facebook is better for communication with customers in comment sections and direct messages. YouTube is great if you want in-depth video content that people can watch after they’re already interested in your products. There are many more platforms, as well. If you get started and try to use them all, it can be overwhelming and you don’t do anything very well. You’re usually better off to start with one, become an expert, get the platform really dialed in, and then expand to the next.
We Can Help
Whether you’re getting started with social media or trying to fix a system that isn’t working, we can help. Get in touch with us today and our experts can help you avoid mistakes and take your business to the next level.