Social Media Traps to Avoid

Online tools have leveled the marketing and public relations playing field for entrepreneurs, nonprofits and a host of other budget conscious organizations and good causes. And as the availability and power of these tools grow exponentially, people are spending more time online looking for information, social and business connections, and the goods and services they desire. The possibilities can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a newbie.

Where do you start? And how should you go about making your mark аn online presence that is memorable? Unfortunately, too often many individuals and organizations, including those that have been at it for a while, underestimate the importance of taking the time to figure out how to use critical online tools properly. Yes, posting regularly is a good habit to develop. But it’s only a start. Effective social media marketing extends well beyond being busy. And while many open-source web tools and applications such as Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat are available at no-to-little cost, social media isn’t really “free.”

A fool-proof social media process that yields results requires a considerable investment of time, patience and skill. The quality and amount of attention and time you put into your early social media activities will lay the groundwork for your success over the long haul. A social media strategy should be part of your larger, overarching marketing and public relations plan. Before you push enter on those first posts, here’s a look at 10 common mistakes to avoid as you ease your business into the world of digital marketing.

1. Starting off without a Plan

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen organizations bring in interns or student volunteers to fill their social media gaps. They figure Millennials are social media naturals. This is true in the sense they may be more familiar with many of the tools than their older colleagues. But without goals and a road map of how to accomplish them there is no point to starting a flurry of social media activity. While most organizations can benefit from some sort of social media marketing, there are others that may not gain anything at all. Bеfоrе уоu begin, analyze whether you or your business really needs all the time and effort that will be required. on’t do social media just just because everybody else is doing social media. Make sure your priorities are clear. They will help you determine your goals, which may be simply to highlight yourself and your brand and direct people to your business.

2. Maintaining аn Incomplete Profile

Just think of your own reaction when you see profiles without headshots and other incomplete information. Your profile іѕ а sign оf your authenticity and that of your business. Leaving it incomplete makes people wonder whether you are reliable. People are looking for credibility when they seek out information from an organization promoting itself online. Not only should your profile be complete, your business should be clearly described with an address and contact information so people can reach and interact with you.

3. Lack оf Consistency

You post an update one day and then forget about your profile for the rest of the week or worse weeks. No one will remember you if you are not around. Search engines crawl through your social media updates based on their frequency and help direct traffic to your websites. Consistency across your platforms is key.

4. Spamming

Spamming your readers and followers with posts about irrelevant information is another no-no. Keep spamming and your audiences will simply unsubscribe to your posts. Make sure you are posting because it is useful and in keeping with your brand image.

5. Beating around thе Bush

In the desire to be artistic many entrepreneurs end up posting articles or updates that end up appearing irrelevant to the subject they're addressing. Less is more as people's attention spans shorten. Stick to the point. Use good grammar and make it plain.

6. Giving Uр tоо Soon

Creating an online presence takes a fair amount of time. However, the biggest mistake many entrepreneurs, social enterprises and nonprofits make is to stop their regular updates once they develop an adequate following. Maintaining an online presence is a demanding as creating it. Your audiences expect and deserve fresh content from you. Otherwise, do not expect them to remain loyal to you.

7. Nоt Valuing Feedback

If you pout in the effort to make a mark among your audiences, make sure you respond to their queries and concerns. A lot of people tend to recede into shell when they receive negative feedback. This is not the time to hide. If you don't tell your side of the story, someone else will. Whether it is positive or negative, acknowledge your followers feedback. Stay engaged.