As much as some people might like to resist it, the reality is that social media is the way people are getting the word out these days. With billions of active users all over the globe, businesses would be shooting themselves in the foot not to market their company on social media platforms. Gone are the days when all the business needed was a website.
Now businesses are expected not only to have a profile on all of the major social media platforms but also a significant following. However, when it comes to driving their social media efforts, a lot of businesses miss the mark.
If you’re a business who is currently struggling to see the rewards of your social media efforts, then take a look at some of the things that you might be doing wrong.
No Strategy
As with any goal in life, you’re more likely to achieve what you aim to do if you develop a strategy. Having a plan set in place of exactly what you hope to do on your social media account helps you stay on track.
For example, it helps to be specific. Make it a goal to increase your followers from X amount to X amount within a certain amount of time. Doing so will help you check in with your efforts and make any changes where necessary if you’re not seeing results.
No Engagement
A lot of people make the mistake of believing that social media is a one-way street. The truth is that it’s supposed to be an exchange. Regardless of whether you’re on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, it’s critical that you not only engage with your audience but that they engage back with you.
Don’t make the mistake of ignoring comments that your followers leave on your posts. Start a conversation and get your audience talking. Take advantage of hashtags and talk about something that your followers will find interesting. Don’t be afraid to go on their profiles and like what they’re posting too.
Too Much Self-Promotion
While the idea of being on social media is to promote your business, it shouldn’t seem that way. Many businesses come across as overly self-promotional and, as a result, turn their audience off. A good rule of thumb is posting only one out of five posts related to marketing your products. The rest of your posts should be something relatable and non-salesy.
Remember, the point is to build a relationship with the people that follow you, not jump out of their screens like an obnoxious commercial.
Inconsistency
Making the commitment to social media is just that: a commitment. It’s not something that you can do a lot of one day and then disappear from for an entire week.
It’s important that you’re consistent and present. Your followers will lose interest if you frequently disappear.