Social Media can be a real asset to marketing your brand but you can also miss some fantastic opportunities to capitalize on the full potential of social media marketing by making some common blunders. John Lusher shared the 11 Things NOT To Do on Social Media. This post will cover solutions to some common mistakes people overlook when planning the steps to their social marketing strategy.
How to Correct 8 Common Blunders of Social Media
- The first visual image most people will see is your profile image. Make sure it is consistent across all platforms. It doesn’t have to be a professional headshot, but a good, clear photo. Don’t post pictures of your pets or children and make sure your image is recognizable as a thumbnail.
- Social Media is not about selling but about building relationships. Do not push your message but build your relationships by promoting others and providing valuable content. Make yourself a resource for others and the sales will come to you.
- Consistency is key to successful social networking. Posting updates consistently is crucial but what is the right number of posts per day? Each social network is different. Twitter followers expect more frequent tweets and love the engagement but Facebook fans engage best with 1-2 updates per day. Consistency on Google+ is necessary because of the SEO benefits it provides.
- Showing appreciation goes a long way in social media. While building relationships, don’t forget you need to show gratitude. Engagement comes in the form of comments, likes, retweets and sharing. You can express gratitude when you get new followers, when someone likes your posts and when they share your content. Equally important is promoting others.
- Relationship building on social media requires transparency. For a successful relationship you must be authentic. Find your authentic voice. Be real while asking questions, telling stories, listening and relating to people. Let people know you are real.
- Visual Marketing is crucial for brands. People have less time for reading your message but with high quality images you can draw them to your content. Pinterest and Instagram have become powerful visual marketing strategies. Including quality images in your content will provide a means for your fans to share your images driving more traffic to your website.
- Blogging provides many advantages to your social strategy. It is often ignored because most companies have a website. A blog serves as a platform to express your voice and to allow others the option to express theirs. It allows you to tell stories visually with images and graphics. Blogs are excellent for search engine optimization and serve as the hub for your social strategy.
- Integrating social media with traditional marketing is crucial. Always include your social networking links or icons in every piece of marketing you produce. If you want a big community following you have to tell them where to find you. Include social icons on all print marketing, mention you’re on Facebook and Twitter in all digital media, add links to newsletters and websites. For more ideas see our 23 Ways to Integrate Social Media with Traditional Marketing.
These are just a few ideas that can help improve your social media experience. Do you see other mistakes being made? Share your solutions and suggestions of things that companies can do to effectively promote their brand using social media. We would love you to post them below in the comments!
Great tips on how to correct 8 social media blunders, Patricia! I am sure that these can certainly improve one’s social media experience! Thanks so much for sharing these tips and offering even more with: “23 Ways to Integrate Social Media with Traditional Marketing.” Thank you!
Thank you Alexandra! I’m glad you found the article useful. We are working on a new infographic for integrating social media with traditional advertising!
Thank you for sharing your great tips about social media. I think, you made it so clear about being authentic… People naturally connect to ‘real’ people.
Thanks for the comment Solvita! You are right on! It’s best to be “REAL”. If you’re not authentic someone will call you out!! Embarrassing!!
I am glad I found your site, great tips. I am glad to see that I am doing some things right, but need to get a few other things and make some changes….thanks!!
Thank you Olga!! Glad you found us too!! As fast as things change in social media, we are all students!!!
Good list! Especially about the relationships. If people will “get” only one thing about social media, I want it to be THAT! Thanks!
Thanks Martha! Yes, it’s all about the relationships!! Too many companies still try to push the message instead of building the relationship!! I hope they get it before it’s too late!!
“Social media is not about selling but about building relationships”…I love how you put this!
Sherie, if more people could understand how important this is! Relationships make the sale!! Thanks so much for your comment!!
wonderful reminders to be present when you interact on social media. thx!
Thank you Catherine!
Some fabulous tips here. My favourite one is about visual marketing. You can have so much of interest and benefit to say but the right image to complement it will help attract so many more people!
Carolyn, I agree! If you’re not incorporating good visual graphics, you are going to lose out on lots of opportunities!! Thanks!!
Thanks for the great tips! I find consistency makes such a huge difference in effective social media. People come to expect posts each day. Wonderful and very helpful list!
Lisa, I totally agree!! You need to be consistent or you will be forgotten!! Thanks so much for your comment!!
I appreciate these very clearly written tips.
About #5: “Relationship building on social media requires transparency. For a successful relationship you must be authentic. Find your authentic voice. Be real while asking questions, telling stories, listening and relating to people. Let people know you are real.”
I think we can eliminate the 4th, 5th, and 6th words and make a true statement: Relationship building requires transparency. At least, that’s what I want my relationships built on!
Thanks for this post.
Thanks Meryl! Love your analogy!! Relationship building requires transparency!! Love it!! Yes, I want the same!! I appreciate your comment!!
Great article, Patsy! I especially loved when you wrote, “Social Media is not about selling but about building relationships.” I find that there are still a lot of people who are not getting this point. I am blessed to have built some Amazing relationships using social media. Thanks
Thank you Susan!! I just wish more people got it!! If you build the relationship with authenticity the sales will come! I too have made some amazing friends that I know will be there for me whenever I need them! Thanks for the great comment!
All of these are so important! Thank you for stressing authenticity, consistency and relationships.
You’re welcome Nancy! Sometimes we just need a little reminder of the important things!! Thank you for reading the post and especially for the comment!!
Great reminders. This should form the basis of everyone’s social media to-do list.
The process is simple and the results can be impressive!! Thank you Marie!
Patsy, I’m amazed at some of the friendships I’ve developed, starting with social media, and that have moved offline to meetings and shared events. It truly CAN be a relationship builder, if done with the right intention … and attention. Thanks for your great list!
Sharon I totally agree, I have built some wonderful relationships that have gone way beyond the internet boundaries. I have hooked up during events and vacations with some of my very dearest “new” friends. I can also say that the relationships I have built would truly be there for me if I needed them! Thanks for your comment Sharon!