TOP 11 Mistakes You're Making On Social Media

Here is a helpful guide of things you should avoid doing on social media.  Mistakes you’re making on social media will diminish your current audience and prevent you from growing any meaningful audience in the future, so be sure to avoid these points when creating and managing your social media plan:

1 – POSTING TOO MUCH
Some types of businesses really should not post very often.  Some sectors simply do not require a very active social media presence, so not only does a hyper-active presence waste your time and money, but it also causes information overload that will cause you to lose audience.  Sometimes, simply keeping the cobwebs down on social media is adequate.

2 – NOT POSTING ENOUGH
While some businesses simply don't need to emphasize social media very much, others have a lot to gain from being active on social media.  Engaging with your audience often in a deliberate and positive way can help greatly in turning your social media followers into raving fans that become a serious source of business.

3 – SHARING IRRELEVANT CONTENT
That funny cat video or joke isn't winning you friends.  More on this in an upcoming post, but the social media rule of thirds could be helpful here in knowing where you could start - a third of your content could be about your actual product, service, or promotions; a third of your content should share industry tips and news (for example, a realtor sharing tips on home maintenance or landscaping tips for curb appeal); a third of the content should be based on building your personal brand, perhaps through conversations and interactions with your audience.

4 – NOT PROMPTLY RESPONDING
Every conversation is an opportunity to develop trust and win a new fan.  Listen and respond when spoken to.  Whether the conversation is regarding a positive or even a negative experience, you have an opportunity to develop good will with that person as well as countless others that may witness the conversation.  Don't let questions, concerns, or comments go unnoticed or unresolved for long.

5 – INCONSISTENT POST FREQUENCY
Who hasn't seen one of those blogs that hasn't been updated for months or years?  Consistency is essential for developing a loyal following.

6 – INCONSISTENT BRANDING
Your brand is something that's taken a lot of time and thought to develop, yet a common pitfall is a disconnect between the branding of your social media presence and the rest of your business.  Ensure a homogenous brand through consistent theme, voice, appearance, etc.
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7 – SPEAKING TO WRONG AUDIENCE
Before creating any content, think about exactly who you want to be reaching.  Peers, clients, potential customers, and even micro-segments of your audience, will be reached differently, so putting thought into it will be very helpful in getting the engagement you want.

8 – BEING ON THE WRONG PLATFORM
Different businesses have more to gain by being active on different platforms.  Again, this has much to do with what audience you want to reach and how you want to engage that audience. Your audience as well as your message will affect which platform you're using - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.

9 – SPEAKING OVER YOUR AUDIENCE
Again highlighting the importance of truly understanding your audience, speaking over your audience (being too wordy, using industry jargon that customers wouldn't be familiar with, etc) can make your followers feel alienated or even make them feel as though you are being condescending. Again, always put thought into who exactly you are trying to reach.

10 – FORGETTING VISUALS
People are very visual learners, and quality graphic representations of your messaging will help you greatly in conveying your message. Whether showcasing your product or simply using an infographic, visual aids can help you engage with your audience as well as increase the shareability of your content.

11 – BEING FAKE
Be yourself. Be genuine. It's possible to keep up a charade for a while, but it can not only be exhausting, but people can tell when they're being lied to. Keeping it real on social media will help you build trust and work towards establishing your brand. 


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