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Friday 18th October 2024
Five Common Mistakes Business Owners Make with their Social Media (and How to Avoid Them!)
Everybody knows that social media can be amazing for building your brand, engaging with customers (and potential customers!), and driving sales. But… it’s not all sunshine, rainbows, and lollipops. It can be verrrry easy to stumble into some common pitfalls that can hold you, and your business, back.
But don’t despair – I’m here to talk you through them, and teach you how to avoid them in the first place… Because I’m nice like that!
Five Common Mistakes Business Owners Make with their Social Media (and How to Avoid Them!)
Mistake Number 1: Inconsistent Posting
If you’ve ever seen Todd speak, you’ll have heard him bang on about consistency. He also talks a lot about it in his blogs. But seriously – one of the most common mistakes is posting inconsistently. Imagine your favourite TV show airing random episodes whenever it feels like – you’d lose interest, right? The same goes for your audience. If you post sporadically (I learnt that word from this scene in Clueless, yes), your followers might forget about you or lose interest in your content. *
*Or even worse; one of your sporadic posts might show up on their timeline one day, and they’ll think “who the f*** is this?” and hit the unfollow button. IMAGINE!
How to avoid this mistake:
Create a content calendar to plan your posts. Consistency is key. Whether you choose to post daily, a few times a week, or weekly, stick to your schedule. We usually say the sweet spot is around 3 times per week but try it out and see what works for you.
Use scheduling tools like Planable, Hootsuite, Buffer, or even Facebook’s built-in planner to automate your posts and keep a regular presence. This way, your audience knows when to expect new content, which helps keep them engaged and connected to you, and your brand.
Mistake Number 2: Ignoring Analytics
I can’t believe I’m going to write this but: flying blind on social media by ignoring analytics is a big no-go. Without analysing your performance, you’re not going to know what’s working and what isn’t… Which can lead to wasted time and resources on strategies that don’t get results.
How to avoid this mistake:
Regularly review your social media analytics to understand which posts are performing well and why. Most social media platforms offer built-in analytics tools, but you can also use third-party tools like Google Analytics, Planable, Sprout Social, or Hubspot for deeper insights.
You want to be looking at key metrics such as engagement rates, reach, and conversion rates, and use this data to refine your strategy, focusing on what resonates most with your audience.
Tip: don’t get hung up on vanity metrics such as follower counts or likes… Click here to read why.
Mistake Number 3: Not Engaging with Your Audience
Social media isn’t just a broadcasting tool; it’s a platform for conversation. It is called social media, after all. Ignoring comments, messages, and mentions can make your audience feel undervalued and less likely to engage with your content in the future.
How to avoid this mistake:
You’re not Kim Kardashian so make it a priority to respond to comments, messages, reviews, and mentions properly. Show appreciation for your audience’s feedback and foster a sense of community around your brand (side note: I’ve just finished reading Community is Your Currency by Daisy Morris – very interesting and relevant to this topic! I definitely recommend). Engagement builds relationships and loyalty.
You can also use social media management tools like Buffer and Hootsuite to stay on top of interactions and to ensure no messages go unanswered.
Mistake Number 4: Over-Promoting
I know, I KNOW, you want to talk about how great your brand and business is… But doing excessively can turn off your audience. Let’s be honest, if all of your posts sound like sales pitches, your followers are probably going to lose interest and unfollow you.
How to avoid this mistake:
Balance your content with the 80/20 rule: 80% of your posts should be informative, entertaining, or engaging, and only 20% should be promotional. Share valuable content that your audience will find interesting – think industry news, tips, stories, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business.
This approach will help build trust and show that you’re not just selling to your followers, but also providing value.
Mistake Number 5 (not to be mistaken for Mambo): Neglecting Your Visual Content
In today’s visually driven world, neglecting high-quality images, videos, and graphics in your social media strategy can make your posts less appealing and less likely to be shared (or even liked, sob!).
How to avoid this mistake:
Sort the settings out on your phone’s camera (see this article for guidance) to make sure your photos are sharp and use tools like Canva or Adobe Express to create eye-catching graphics. Share videos that showcase your products, provide tutorials, or tell your brand’s story (hate to say it but videos that feature a face tend to do a lot better on socials). Visual content is more likely to grab attention and encourage engagement, so make sure your posts are looking tip-top.
…Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, and in social media, it’s worth even more.
So, Let’s Wrap This Up
To recap, all you’ve got to do is: stay consistent with your posting schedule, take a look into your analytics to make some data-driven decisions, don’t ignore your audience, keep your content balanced between valuable and promotional, and make sure your posts look okay. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to social media success…
And if this all seems too much of a faff for you – get in touch with us. We might be able to help.
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1 comment on this article
Skilz Learn at 5:59am on August 2nd 2024
Your work is greatly appreciated and has benefited both my students and me. Creators like you elevate the educational experience, making it a blissful endeavor for learners across the globe.