The Top 10 Social Media Mistakes to Avoid
It’s 2022, we all know what a powerful tool social media is for business. In fact, according to 2021 HubSpot Blog research on social media trends, 77% of social media marketers say social media marketing was somewhat – very effective for their company in 2021.
Of course, social media is only beneficial when used correctly, right? Here are the top 10 social media mistakes to avoid in order to make the most of your social media presence.
#1 - Having A Personal Account Instead Of A Business Account
Unfortunately we see this one all the time. If you’re running a business, it’s important to have a separate business account on each social media platform. This helps people easily find and follow your company, and keeps your personal and professional lives separate.
It also allows you to take advantage of features that are specific to business accounts, like Facebook Business Pages. You can still promote your business on your personal account, but make sure you’re also using a dedicated business account to maximize your social media presence.
#2 - Repurposing The Same Content Across All Platforms
While it’s tempting to take the easy way out and post the same content across all of your social media platforms, it’s important to remember that each platform has a different audience and purpose.
For example, LinkedIn is great for B-to-B networking and promoting thought leadership content, while Instagram is better for behind-the-scenes glimpses into your company culture and products. TikTok is all about creative, short videos, while Twitter is great for real-time updates and engaging with your audience.
By tailoring your content to each specific platform, you’ll be able to better connect with your target audience on each one. Will it take you longer to create and post content? Yes. Will it be worth it? Absolutely.
# 3 - Not Being Consistent
If you’re not posting regularly, people will forget that you exist. Not only that, the algorithm for each social media platform will stop showing your content in people’s feeds if you’re not posting regularly. So if you want to make sure people are seeing your content, you need to be consistent. Across all platforms.
That means posting on a regular schedule – at least once a week, but ideally multiple times per week. Sounds overwhelming, right? Don’t worry, you don’t have to do it all yourself. You can use a social media management tool like Sprout Social to help you plan and schedule your content in advance, so you can be sure that you’re staying consistent.
#4 - Thinking You Don't Need To Be On TikTok
TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms, with over 1 billion active monthly users worldwide, and Nearly 80 million monthly active users are located in the US. And it’s not just for Gen Z – according to a recent study, TikTok is quickly gaining popularity among older generations as well. If you’re not on TikTok yet, now is the time to start.
TikTok is all about bite-sized, creative content, so it’s the perfect platform to showcase your brand personality and connect with a wider audience. One of the greatest things about TikTok is how not Instagram it is. If you’re sick of the polished, perfectly-curated feeds on Instagram, TikTok is the perfect breath of fresh air. It’s all about raw, real, and in the moment.
#5 - Avoiding Reels
Reels is Instagram’s answer to TikTok, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular features on the platform. Reels allows you to create short, 15-second videos set to music or other audio. You can also use creative effects and editing tools to make your Reels more engaging.
Businesses use reels to give their audience a behind-the-scenes look at their company, showcase their products in action, or even just to have some fun and show off their personality. If you’re not using Reels yet, now is the time to start. Not only that, Reels is a great way to connect with your target audience on Instagram. Reels can be shared on your feed, in your Stories, or even on the Explore page, which means more people will see your content.
#6 - Buying Followers
It might seem like a quick and easy way to boost your social media following, but buying followers is a huge mistake. Not only will people be able to tell that you’ve bought followers (trust us, it’s pretty obvious), but it won’t do anything to help you connect with your target audience or grow your business.
In fact, it might even hurt your business in the long run. Social media platforms are punishing users who buy followers, so you could end up losing followers or even get banned from the platform entirely. So save your money and focus on organic growth strategies instead.
#7 - Not Live Streaming
We get it, going live is super intimidating. Especially if you’re not comfortable in front of the camera or have no experience. However, live streaming is a great way to connect with your audience in real-time and build deeper relationships with your followers!
You can use live streaming to answer questions, give product demos, or even just to show off your personality. Live streaming is also a great way to stand out from the crowd on social media. With so much content being posted every day, it can be hard to cut through the noise. But when you go live, people are more likely to stop and take notice.
#8 - Not Responding To Comments And Mentions
Social media is all about engagement. If you’re not interacting with your followers, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to connect with your target audience. Responding to comments and mentions shows that you care about what people are saying, and it also gives you a chance to build deeper relationships with your followers.
Not to mention, everyone reading through comments can see when questions go unanswered. Yikes. So make sure to keep an eye on your mentions and comments, and respond as quickly as you can. Along those same lines, don’t delete negative comments. As tempting as it is. It’s important to show that you’re open to feedback and willing to take constructive criticism.
That being said, there are some comments that you should delete. If a comment is spammy, offensive, or harmful in any way, get rid of it. You don’t need that kind of negativity on your page!
#9 - Posting Generic Content
If you want people to pay attention to your social media, you need to post content that’s interesting and engaging. And most importantly, original. Generic content is none of those things. It’s the stuff we see all the time: posts about how much someone loves their job, pictures of food, overused quotes, etc.
Don’t get us wrong, there’s a time and a place for those kinds of posts. But if that’s all you’re posting, people are going to get bored quickly. So mix it up! Post behind-the-scenes content, share your company culture, or give your followers a sneak peek of new products or services. Basically, anything that will give people a reason to follow you!
#10 - Not Using Hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to reach new people and grow your social media following. When you use relevant hashtags, your content is more likely to show up in search results, which means more people will see it. And when more people see it, you’re more likely to get new followers.
But its not just about getting new followers. It’s also about attracting the right kind of people to your page. Hashtags help you target specific audiences, so you’re more likely to connect with people who are interested in what you do. Just make sure not to go overboard with the hashtags. A few well-chosen ones will do the trick!
Prepare for a Great 2022!
We’ve come to the end of our list, but it’s important to remember that these are just guidelines. Social media is a constantly evolving beast, and what works today may not work tomorrow. The most important thing is to always be learning, testing, and tweaking your strategies to find what works best for you and your audience.
Would you like to learn about how we can help create content that converts to more leads and sales for your business? Contact us today – our team would be happy to chat with you about your specific needs.