Common Social Media Mistakes

Social media is one of the most powerful ways to bring customers to your website. Your social media can also help you improve your search engine optimization (SEO) as well. Here are some common social media mistakes.

Haphazard Posting

Unfortunately, social media is often the least important task in a busy workplace. It is often mistaken as a secondary tool. Instead, social media should be planned well in advance. There are a few steps in planning your posts. Customer: What social media channels does your customer frequent? Those are the channels you will use. Create Schedule: Always post content at the same time and day of the week. Consistency is key. Content Calendar: Create a content calendar to plan your posts. Make sure your calendar includes launch dates, important holidays that pertain to your business, and other pertinent days.

Using All Platforms

One major social media mistake is posting on all platforms. This is to blame for most companies and causes irregular posting. Picking out just a few social media platforms can help you build your audience. You know your customer. Therefore, you know their preferred social media platforms. Build on those platforms first. You will see the biggest ROI.

Shortcuts

Beware of social media shortcuts. Those include buying Instagram followers and likes, repeating the same tweet, or not filling in your Facebook profile information. Instead, build your following by creating quality content and visuals. Make sure that you tweet original content, and complete all of your social media profiles. This all builds trust from customers. This ultimately helps your SEO rank.

Avoiding Video

One big mistake is avoiding video in social media posts. Whether the excuse is time or expense, many entrepreneurs do not delve into video posts. However, the fact that 43 percent of those visit a website after viewing a video should be compelling enough. Don't forget that video is very easy and popular to share. By creating a video, you start the process. Your one share can easily multiply and reach potential customers that don't know about your business. Social media offers a cornucopia of video options.

Creating a YouTube page is a great way to share your product or brand. You can create unboxing videos, how-to videos, or fun, branded videos. These can easily be shared on all platforms, including Twitter. On Instagram, you can share a minute-long video. Or, you can create an Instagram story using video, or Instagram Live. That is a very popular way to engage your customers and let them ask you questions. Facebook has a few video sharing options. Besides sharing your YouTube video, you can also create Facebook Live videos. Again, this is an interactive way to engage your customers.

Moreover, this is an opportunity to learn more about your customer. Those questions are gold. By tabulating the questions and comments made in any of the interactive social media sessions, you can uncover what your next product should be, or perhaps what your next social media campaign should be.

Ignoring Questions And Comments

One major social media faux pas is ignoring questions or comments on social media. As with video, this communication conveys a lot of information to your business. Also, commenting on social media lets potential customers know that you are a customer-service oriented business. How you handle questions, problems, or challenges is revealing. Ignoring customers on social media is a huge turn off.

Full-Time Selling

Social media that is 100 percent selling is a social media turn off. No one wants to visit a site that is always trying to sell you something. Instead, engage and create a gathering of like-minded individuals. Your brand is targeting a certain sort of person. Share content that would appeal to your specific clientele. There are a few philosophies on percentages of sales-oriented social media posts. Some recommend 80 percent sales, with 20 percent other types of posts. There has long been a rule to evenly divide sales, industry and fun into three equal parts. Including industry-related posts makes you a knowledge base. Therefore, customers will go to your social media pages for these information and products that reflect your expertise.

No Blog

One huge social media mistake is the lack of a blog. A blog can be a series of informative posts that will help customers choose what item fits their needs. A blog can share information on the latest trends. But no blog does not direct customers to the items that you are selling on your website. As with social media, your blogpost should be consistent. Whether it is weekly or bi-weekly, this post should reflect your organization's expertise. It should have good grammar and no spelling errors. Most of all, it is a link that you can share from all of your social media platforms.