Avoid these social media mistakes

Mistake No. 1: Not Having a Plan

Even though many social media applications are free, they still cost small businesses time – and time equals money. To avoid wasting valuable time and money, start by putting together a social media marketing plan. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve from social media and how you plan to get there. Determine the amount of time and resources you are willing to devote to the program.  Once you have a plan in place, it will be easier to focus on achieving the results you want.

 

Mistake No. 2: Too Much Too Soon

After establishing a plan, often small business owners jump into all aspects of the social space at once. This can be a huge mistake because it’s easy to get overwhelmed very quickly.  Not all social networks make sense for every business or business owner. Do some research to determine which platforms best fit your business goals. What sites are your competitors and customers on? Consider starting with a platform you are familiar with and that you already have established network on.

 

Mistake No. 3: Not Measuring Your Success and Return on Investment

As a small business, you have limited time and resources, so it’s important to measure every aspect of your business to be sure it’s worth the investment. A social media program is no exception. Make sure you set goals for your program and that you have ways to monitor these. Most social media applications have some type of analytics associated with their platforms, as well as help sections that explain how to use the tools.

 

Mistake No. 4: Underutilizing Social Platforms for Branding

Every social media platform includes multiple fields for businesses to insert their brand messages and images. Many small business owners will leave multiple fields on their profiles blank. This is a big mistake. Your company information, logo, and any other links or images on your profile are the sales tools you have to pique a potential customer’s interest in your business.  If your profile is half complete it reflects poorly on your company. Plus, the more complete the information is on your social profile, the more likely you are to be found in search results.

 

Mistake No. 5: Promoting Without Listening or Engaging

Have you ever been to a party and met someone who constantly talked about themselves? It’s a real turn off. Social media is very similar; if you constantly talk about your business and what your business offers without listening or engaging with others, your network will fall flat.  Don’t be afraid to jump into conversations with new people or to ask questions. Likewise, if someone asks you a question or makes a comment to you, make sure you respond.

 

Read the other five mistakes here.