There are no laws in social media but there are norms that dictate how one should treat others and what sorts of interactions get rewarded with shares. If you want to do well in social media for your business, and you want to see interest in your company and sales increase, there are best practices to follow.
Below you’ll find some of the most common mistakes people who are new, or inexperienced in using the platforms, make. If you want to prosper on social, you need to avoid this missteps:
Pulling a Napoleon
There are a lot of shiny objects out there on social media. It seems like there’s a new platform every week that “everybody is using.” But you shouldn’t care about everybody, just your current and prospective customers. Go where they are.
Too many businesses that take to social media to increase revenue, spread themselves too thin. They try to take over too much and aren’t able to effectively do any of it. Seth Godin, author and marketer extraordinaire, stayed off of Twitter for years and when he did join he made it clear that his stream was only a source of his content. He didn’t plan on interacting on that forum. He understood his limits. Napoleon took on too much and spread himself too think when he invaded Russia and look what happened there.
Not Taking the Time
Many businesses sit down and set up a bunch of profiles. Not taking the time to fill any of them in. Use each platform to the best of your ability before moving onto another. Fill in the About section and all of your contact information. Upload professional images. Post some content. Don’t go on a massive land grab, and make the accounts all active or visible with only a part of the information you need. It looks unprofessional.
Not Going on a Land Grab
This sounds counterintuitive to the information I just shared. You want to avoid creating an active profile with missing information but if you can claim your company name. you should do so just make sure it is either hidden until you’re ready to engage on that platform or it gives further instructions.
It is valuable to visit all of the major social media profiles and lay your claim to your business name (if it’s not already taken). Facebook doesn’t require you to publish, so if you’re not ready, keep it hidden. If the profile forces you to publish and you’re not ready to do so, in the About section add information about social media profiles that you are active on. For instance, in your Twitter bio you could write “We’re not here yet but please connect with us on __________.”
This keeps someone else from taking your handle and if anyone searches on the platform, they’ll find something about you. In this case, don’t actively advertise you’re on Twitter because you’re not. Just let it be out there as a sign post should anyone be looking for you.
Remembering Only to Post
You must provide relevant and interesting content for your audience but that’s not all. Make time for interacting with others. Share their content. Ask meaningful questions. Compliment bloggers on pieces you enjoy. Everyone likes to be involved with someone who makes them feel good. Give and you shall receive.
A final tip about social media mistakes hurting your business: Social media is about building relationships and helping you establish know, like, and trust with your customers and potential customers. Blasting them with information about you is never a good way to build a connection. Be yourself. Provide inspiration, education, and entertainment for your audience and be the kind of audience for others that you want for your own business. Share content, compliment and build others up. Social media karma and the golden rule are alive and well online.
Photo credit via Graphic Stock
