Are you making social media mistakes with your strategy?
Social media is about more than selfies and brunch pictures! For business owners like you, learning how to harness your social media power could unlock an entirely new world of potential customers and clients—if you know how to take advantage of every part of the platform.
With 3.2 billion people logging onto their respective social media sites each day, spending an average of nearly two and half hours messaging, liking, and following others, it’s clear that there’s no better time to optimize your social media strategy than now!
In the early stages of social media, you could post anything. There weren’t rules or best practices. It was essentially an online free for all! Today, committing social media mistakes could result in a loss of followers, missed opportunities, or even a ruined reputation for your business.
Boost your brand, create rock star social media campaigns, and get in the zone with your social media strategy! But first, steer clear of these social media mistakes.
Mistake #1. You’re Not Engaging
Don’t just post and run! Social media is meant to be just that…social. No one wants a ghost follower. Find accounts within your niche (business, fitness, travel) and reciprocate the love with thoughtful, relevant comments and shares. This is how communities are built. If you see something awesome, let the creator know! If there’s a post that aligns with your wheel of expertise, drop some knowledge.
Mistake #2. You’re Playing the Follow/Unfollow Game
In 2019, playing this game is a big no-no! Buying fake followers or following people so that they’ll follow you back & then quickly unfollowing them is not the way to do it.
Follower count doesn’t matter.
Today, engagement rates are the numbers that really matter. That’s why brands with small, engaged online communities are killing it – because every follower actually loves their brand and business and wants to hear more from them. It’s better to have 100 followers who will actually purchase something from you than to have 100,000 followers who will never engage, like, or buy anything from you.
Rise above the numbers.
Mistake #3. You’re not posting what your audience wants
Everyone thinks their dog is the cutest in the world. That doesn’t mean your audience will agree! You have to give them what they signed up for. If your account posts business tips, you might want to forget about posting vacation updates from your time in Disneyland.
Mistake #4. You’re not using captivating images
Are your Facebook & Twitter posts feeling a little lackluster? Give them a boost with some engaging imagery! There’s a reason why so many people are addicted to scrolling through Instagram. Visuals tell a deeper story, especially when they coordinate with well-written copy. Consider boosting your social media game by using high-quality images.
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Mistake #5. You’re not sharing relevant content
You’re not the only expert with great ideas. Your social media platforms allow you to be a creator and curator! When you share informative, relevant content to your page, your followers will view you as an expert resource in the industry.
Mistake #6. You’re not tagging relevant accounts
If you repost content from other creators, are you tagging the original content creator when you repost their pictures, articles, or think-pieces? Not only will this maximize your reach, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to tap into larger accounts and their audiences!
Mistake #7. You’re not using hashtags (or using them correctly)
Did you know that users on Instagram can follow their favorite hashtags? That means if you take advantage of all 30 of the hashtags you’re allotted on the platform, your content will be viewed by way more people than just your followers. Maximize your reach & never publish a post without hashtags.
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Mistake #8. You’re using the wrong hashtags
Don’t go #crazy. If you’re posting about business, make sure every hashtag you use is relevant to your business. If you use the hashtag #LAbusiness when you only serve New York customers, not only will you be attracting the wrong viewers, but you’ll also open yourself up to possible flagging by the platform.
Mistake #9. You’re not keeping up with new platform updates
Every week, there are whispers of changes in algorithms, platform tweaks, or new features that could level up your brand. To be on the cutting edge, you have to stay informed!
Mistake #10. You’re not posting enough
Social media can be draining! But if you’re a business owner or solopreneur, you don’t have the luxury of stepping away for a digital break. You have to post consistently, so your followers know you’re around. Consistency also has a different meaning for every account. Some fashion brands can post 10-12 times per day because that’s what their audience expects. The number of times you need to post per day depends on your audience, your industry, and your business.
Mistake #11. You’re overloading your followers with too many posts
Absolutely no one wants their feed spammed with constant posts from the same user. If you’re unveiling a new product or promotion, it’s ok to show your excitement. Just make sure to space your posts out, so you don’t fatigue your audience.
Mistake #12. You’re not utilizing analytics
Not using analytics is one of the most common social media mistakes. From impressions, reach, and likes to website clicks and follower count, there are analytic tools to help you understand just how well your content works for your audience. This means you don’t have to shoot in the dark!
After looking over your weekly analytics, do you notice any trends? Perhaps certain photos or captions don’t do as well as others. Maybe your followers engage with “How to” articles better than listicles. All of this information is vital to a successful social media campaign.
Mistake #13. You’re posting at the wrong times
Who is your audience? Where do they live? When are they on their social media accounts? This is one of the social media mistakes we see often. This information is paramount if you want to build your social media presence steadily. So, when’s the best time to post to social media? Well, it depends on the platform!
Mistake #14. You’re not recycling your website content
You create in-depth blogs and valuable resources on your website, but are you using this content across your social media platforms? If not, you’re missing the opportunity to show off your skills and get more clicks to the only part of the digital world you actually own—your website! You’re getting new followers every day so it’s likely that they haven’t seen some of the awesome content you created last month or two months ago. Even long-time followers might have missed an update or two from you, so it’s always a good idea to reuse and recycle your content.
Mistake #15. You’re being inappropriate
Have you ever heard the term, “Know your audience?” Some brands can get away with super cheeky (maybe even a bit risque) communications on social media. Most can’t. Always keep your audience in mind before you click “publish.” And most importantly, under no circumstances should you ever air your dirty laundry for all to see.
Mistake #16. You’re not networking
From Facebook and LinkedIn Groups to Tailwind Tribes on Pinterest, social media makes it easier than ever to meet professionals in your industry! Start with a “hello,” or a, “I love what you’re doing.” Be genuine and open to meet new people and learn! You never know who you’ll meet or where your brand will end up.
Mistake #17. You’re not posting a variety of content
Variety is the spice of…social media! Mix it up and don’t be afraid to try something new. Once you have a grip on your analytics, you can instantly tell whether your audience is feeling the new vibe. None of the big accounts got there by playing it safe. Be true to your brand, but don’t be afraid to step out of the box every now and again.
Mistake #18. You don’t know where to find your clients
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Youtube—there are a whole lot of social media platforms out there, but that doesn’t mean you have to be on all of them! Know where your potential clients or customers hang out on the internet and place your focus there.
Mistake #19. You have an inconsistent voice
Your voice is what allows people to know who you are, so keep up with the good stuff. Being inconsistent just means you are going to lose followers, fast! The people who fell in love with your funny, witty posts will be bored to death when you get too stuffy. Find what works & stick to it.
Mistake #20. You’re selling too much
Whether it’s an online course or a protein shake, it’s hard to scroll on Facebook or Instagram for more than two minutes without being sold something. Don’t fall into this trap with your followers! Add value before you do anything else. Cultivate your community organically. Build trust, and then when the time is right, your audience will be ready for your sales pitch.
Mistake #21. You’re focusing on quantity rather than quality
Never post just to post! If you don’t have something meaningful to say, it’s best to go back to the drawing board and create content that will matter to your followers. You never want to show up with anything less than quality content.
Mistake #22. You’re not optimizing social media profiles
Is your Instagram bio concise & informative with a few relevant hashtags? What about your website link? Does it work properly? On Facebook, are all parts of your business profile filled out? When you don’t take the time to optimize your social media profiles, it shows!
Mistake #23. You don’t have a strategy
Social media seems simple, but it’s quite complex! You have to be strategic and know your business’ goals. Do you want to create a community? Do you want to build your email list? How about boosting sales? Are you looking to build brand recognition? Do you want to give your business a boost for a new launch?
Put these social media mistakes in your past! Regardless of how your goals align, remember, you have to put strategic action in place each day if you want to reach them. And that’s where we come in. We don’t just post pretty pictures to your feed and hope things work out for the best. That’s because we understand that strategy is essential in today’s social media landscape!
If you don’t have the time to dedicate to creating unforgettable campaigns, we can help! Click here to learn more.