Most people think social media is a pretty easy thing to navigate. Just a quick scroll on the platforms, find trends that can attract an audience, make posts, and boom you’re done! But, it actually isn’t as easy as people think it is.
Companies and brands all share one thing in common when it comes to utilizing social media marketing… and it’s that they make mistakes or don’t actually know what they’re doing. Here are the three most common social media mistakes that companies make and how to properly avoid them:
posting and ghosting
“Posting and ghosting” is when a post is put out and then the company simply goes away. This means they’re not posting to their stories, not interacting with other posts or pages in their feed, not responding to messages or comments, and not posting consistently.
When it comes to creating a post and uploading it, you ideally don’t want to just post it and do nothing else with it. A majority of the way we can gain viewership and a following on social media is through the act of communication with our viewers and potential audience members. Responding to those who watch and interact with you is the best way to gain attention and a loyal audience.
being inauthentic
Majority of social media and the “fandom” that comes with it is the ability for viewers to relate to content easily. When the authenticity factor is not within your posts, it’s hard to compete with other brands that are more relatable with their content.
In order to fix this, be sure to personalize your online branding to speak to your company’s values and beliefs vs. trying to be like every other company. This is essential when trying to build brand loyalty with consumers – especially when it comes to social media.
For example, the Nitro Bar, a local coffee shop in Rhode Island that has recently gone viral, does a great job at being authentic with their viewers. The owner is constantly on the page asking employees their “favorite orders of the week,” or “controversial coffee opinions.” These types of posts engage a huge audience because viewers saw them as more than just a coffee shop, but as real people running the shop.
waiting too long to start
The biggest mistake that a business owner can make with starting up their social media presence is not starting at all. A lot of the time, brands think that it is nearly impossible to gain traction because the Internet has gotten so big within the past few years and they are “never going to make it.” That mindset is the biggest mistake to have.
Newer businesses should be prioritizing social media and putting up content consistently because it is one of the most proven effective ways to grow their brand. According to business.com, “86% of marketers said that their social media marketing gave more exposure to their businesses, 76% found it increased traffic, and 64% offered that it generated leads.” Statistics show that social media is becoming one of the most powerful marketing tools for companies, so it is never too late to start representing your brand on different platforms.
Social media isn’t something that you can perfect in 24 hours. It’s most definitely a marathon, not a sprint, as the social media landscape is always changing. But don’t worry… Tric is here to help! We’ve grown countless business’ social media presences and we’re ready to grow yours! Reach out to us today to get you started with the perfect social media strategy for your business!